What the memorial is
The Stolperstein for Herbert Mannheimer is a small brass memorial embedded in the sidewalk in Mainz’s Oberstadt district, at the site of his former residence. Stolpersteine—“stumbling stones”—commemorate individual victims of Nazi persecution at their last freely chosen residences or workplaces. The stone is part of a network of more than 350 Stolpersteine in Mainz and more than 100,000 across over 21 countries (Wikipedia: Stolperstein; Stolpersteine Mainz).
History and significance
German artist Gunter Demnig initiated the Stolpersteine project in 1992. The first stone was laid in Cologne in 1996. The project commemorates Jews, Sinti and Roma, political prisoners, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and others persecuted by the Nazis. Each stone is a hand-crafted, 10 × 10 cm brass plate, generally inscribed with a victim’s name, birth year, fate, and, if known, date and place of death (Stolpersteine.eu; Germany.info).
The name “stumbling stone” refers both to a block in the street and to the encounter with difficult history. By placing memorials in everyday city spaces, the project invites passersby to pause and remember. The stones are installed in public ceremonies involving relatives, residents, students, and local officials. Their ground-level placement asks viewers to bow their heads and has also been connected with the desecration of Jewish cemeteries during the Nazi era (Mainz.de).
Herbert Mannheimer was born in 1901 and was among the Mainz Jews persecuted during the Nazi era. His Stolperstein commemorates his life and represents the wider history of Mainz’s Jewish community.
The Jewish community in Mainz dates back to Roman times. Before 1933, about 2,600 Jews lived in the city; by 1945, the community had been nearly destroyed, with most members deported or murdered. The local Stolpersteine project is coordinated by the Verein für Sozialgeschichte Mainz and the Haus des Erinnerns (Jewish Virtual Library; Mainz Tourism; Stolpersteine Mainz; Mainz.de).
What to see
The Stolperstein is a brass plaque engraved with the victim’s name, birth year, and fate. Its location in the sidewalk makes the memorial part of the everyday landscape of the Oberstadt residential district (SWR Aktuell).
The stones are maintained by local organizations. Visitors may gently polish the plaque as part of a remembrance tradition. Pausing to read the inscription or placing a small stone or flower are also described as customary gestures.
Practical visiting information
Location and access
- Address Lotharstraße 9, Oberstadt district, Mainz. The stone is also described as being in the sidewalk in front of Herbert Mannheimer’s former residence.
- Getting there The site is accessible by tram and bus, and the district is pedestrian-friendly.
- Accessibility The pavement-level installation is described as wheelchair-friendly.
- Tickets None; the memorial is a public site and visits are free.
Opening hours
The memorial is described as accessible at any time, 24/7 throughout the year. Visitor details also list daily hours of 9:00–19:00.
Finding other Stolpersteine and tours
The Stolpersteine Mainz website has interactive maps and a searchable database. Guided walking tours are offered by local organizations; visitors can contact the Haus des Erinnerns, the Mainz tourist office, local historical societies, or the Mainz City Museum for details (Mainz.de).
Events and commemorations
Stolperstein installations and Holocaust remembrance events take place throughout the year. Events may be held on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. An annual Kristallnacht commemoration on November 9 features talks and workshops (SWR Aktuell).
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes and consider visiting in daylight for better visibility.
- Spring and autumn are listed as good times to visit for mild weather; mornings and late afternoons are noted for optimal light.
- Be respectful around residential areas.
- Photography is permitted for personal use; professional use requires permission.
- Visitors may pause, read the inscription, and place a small stone or flower.
- The neighborhood is described as safe, with cafés and shops nearby.
- Most Jewish heritage sites are wheelchair accessible. Photography is generally allowed outdoors; check museum policies.
- A visit can be combined with Mainz Cathedral or the Gutenberg Museum.
Nearby places
- Haus des Erinnerns – Für Demokratie und Akzeptanz
- Jewish Museum of Mainz Artifacts and exhibitions on regional Jewish history.
- Medieval Jewish Cemetery, Mombacher Straße Described as one of Europe’s oldest preserved Jewish cemeteries.
- Synagogue memorials Plaques and memorials at former synagogue locations.
- Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom)
- Gutenberg Museum
The Mainz Cathedral, Gutenberg Museum, and Jewish Museum are described as within easy reach of the memorial. The Mainz tourism office provides information about Jewish heritage sites and walking tours (Mainz Tourism).
Hours and admission at Jewish heritage sites
- Jewish Museum Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00. Adults €6; reduced admission €4; children under 12 free.
- Medieval Jewish Cemetery Open daily, dawn to dusk; free admission.
Walking tours and annual Jewish cultural festivals can be booked through the Mainz tourism office (Mainz Tourism).
FAQ
When can I visit the Stolperstein?
It is a public monument described as accessible at any time, 24/7 all year. Visitor details also list daily hours of 9:00–19:00.
Do I need a ticket?
No. The visit is free, and no ticket or reservation is required.
How do I get there?
The memorial is at Lotharstraße 9 in the Oberstadt. It is accessible by public transport or on foot, and maps of Stolpersteine are available online.
Are guided tours offered?
Yes. Contact local historical societies, the Haus des Erinnerns, the Mainz tourist office, or the Mainz City Museum for details.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
The pavement-level memorial is described as accessible to wheelchair users.
Is the memorial suitable for children?
Yes. It is described as educational for all ages.
Is photography allowed?
Personal photographs are permitted; professional use requires permission. Photography is generally allowed outdoors, but museum policies should be checked.
How can I support the memorial?
Donations and volunteer opportunities are available through the Mainz City Museum.
Further information
Photos of the Stolperstein, the Oberstadt district, and related memorials, as well as virtual tours and interactive maps, are mentioned as resources on Stolpersteine Mainz and official tourism sites. An onsite visitor center is described as offering photographs, documents, and multimedia exhibits. The Audiala app provides updates and audio tours; Mainz’s cultural institutions also share updates on social media.
