Stolperstein Dedicated To Irma Metzger

Stolperstein Irma Metzger Mainz Germany: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein for Irma Metzger in Mainz, Germany, is a poignant memorial dedicated to one of the countless Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Embedded in the heart of Mainz’s Altstadt (Old Town), this small brass plaque serves as a deeply personal reminder of the city’s once-thriving Jewish community and the tragedies of Nazi persecution. This comprehensive guide provides all the essential information for planning your visit, including precise location details, visiting hours, accessibility, historical context, nearby attractions, and practical tips to ensure a respectful and meaningful experience.

Learn more and plan your visit through the Stolpersteine Mainz website and the official Stolpersteine portal.

Introduction
What Are Stolpersteine?
Location and Accessibility of the Stolperstein for Irma Metzger
Historical Background and Significance
Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
Special Events and Guided Tours
Cultural and Educational Importance
Practical Visitor Tips
Nearby Historical Sites to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion and Call to Action
References

What Are Stolpersteine?

Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are small, brass-capped cobblestones installed in sidewalks across Europe to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution. Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, each Stolperstein is inscribed with the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and, when known, date and place of death. The stones are placed at the victim’s last freely chosen residence or workplace, serving as personal and decentralized memorials that bring history into everyday life (Stolpersteine Official Website).

Location and Accessibility of the Stolperstein for Irma Metzger

The Stolperstein for Irma Metzger is situated at Walpodenstraße 6 in Mainz’s historic Altstadt. This central, pedestrian-friendly area is known for its cobblestone streets and rich Jewish heritage. The memorial is flush with the pavement, making it accessible to most visitors. It is part of a cluster of Stolpersteine commemorating the Metzger family, including Hannelore and Ursula Metzger (Stolperstein dedicated to Hannelore Metzger - Mapcarta; Stolperstein dedicated to Ursula Metzger - Mapcarta).

How to Get There:

Public Transport: Easily accessible via trams and buses with stops nearby. Mainz Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is within walking distance.
Car: Parking is available at Parkhaus Theater and Parkhaus Kronberger Hof.
Accessibility: The site is level and generally accessible for wheelchair users, though some surrounding cobblestone areas may be uneven. Alternative smoother routes are available—check local maps or the Stolpersteine Mainz website.

Nearby, you can also visit the New Synagogue, Kunsthalle Mainz, and Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Joseph (New Synagogue - Mapcarta), enriching your historical exploration.

Alt text: Stolperstein for Irma Metzger embedded in the sidewalk in Mainz Altstadt.

Historical Background and Significance

The Stolpersteine project is the world’s largest decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi terror, with over 100,000 stones installed as of 2025. Each stone restores individuality to the victims by marking the very places they lived before being deported or murdered.

Irma Metzger, commemorated alongside her daughter Hannelore at Walpodenstraße 6, was among the many Jewish residents of Mainz who suffered persecution and deportation during the Holocaust. The inscription on her Stolperstein reads:

HIER WOHNTE
IRMA METZGER
GEB. LEOPOLD
JG. 1895
DEPORTIERT 1942
PIASKI
ERMORDET

This personalizes the immense tragedy, transforming the abstract numbers of Holocaust victims into individual stories that resonate with passersby (stolpersteine-mainz.de). The presence of many Stolpersteine in Mainz’s Altstadt reflects the city’s once flourishing Jewish community and its devastating loss during the Nazi era.

Mainz, historically known as “Magenza,” is also recognized as one of the SchUM cities, alongside Worms and Speyer, and is celebrated for its centuries-old Jewish heritage (rheinhessen.de).

Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility

Hours: The Stolperstein for Irma Metzger is outdoors and can be visited 24/7.
Admission: No tickets or reservations are required. It is a public memorial, free of charge.
Best Times to Visit: Daylight hours (9 AM to 6 PM) are ideal for visibility and reflection. Early mornings or late afternoons offer quieter moments.
Accessibility: The pavement is level, but surrounding cobblestone streets may be uneven. The site is generally accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Waymarking.com

Special Events and Guided Tours

Commemorative Events: Ceremonies are held on Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and on deportation anniversaries. Local schools, such as the Frauenlobgymnasium, and community groups often organize these events (Waymarking.com).
Guided Tours: Several local organizations and the Mainz Tourist Information provide regular guided tours focusing on Jewish heritage and Stolpersteine. The Haus des Erinnerns offers educational resources and walking tours. Advance booking is recommended.

Cultural and Educational Importance

The Stolpersteine project fosters remembrance and education by inviting passersby to “stumble” upon these memorials, prompting reflection on the human cost of intolerance and violence. The Stolpersteine for the Metzger family highlight both individual and collective loss, encouraging ongoing dialogue about history, tolerance, and the dangers of anti-Semitism.

Mainz’s Jewish sites—including synagogues, cemeteries, and the Haus des Erinnerns—provide additional opportunities for learning and reflection (mainz-tourismus.com; jguideeurope.org).

Practical Visitor Tips

Preparation: Review the biographies and historical accounts on the Stolpersteine Mainz website before your visit.
Guided Tours: Consider joining a walking tour for deeper insights.
On-Site Etiquette: Approach the Stolperstein quietly, pause to read, and reflect. Gently cleaning the brass or leaving a small stone or flower is a meaningful gesture.
Photography: Discreet photography is permitted; avoid using flash or obstructing others.
Language: Inscriptions are in German; bring a translation app or guide if needed.
Accessibility: The sidewalk is level, but bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.

Explore digital guides and interactive maps on the Stolpersteine Mainz digital platform or use the Audiala app for self-guided audio tours.

Nearby Historical Sites to Explore

Enhance your visit by exploring these significant sites, all within walking distance:

New Synagogue: A contemporary symbol of Jewish renewal in Mainz (New Synagogue - Mapcarta).
Kunsthalle Mainz: Modern art gallery housed in a historic building.
Haus des Erinnerns – für Demokratie und Akzeptanz: Educational center with exhibitions on Jewish history and the Nazi era (Haus des Erinnerns).
Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom): Over 1,000 years of history and architecture.
Gutenberg Museum: Celebrating the inventor of movable type printing.

Plan routes using the Mainz city map or the Stolpersteine digital map.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are there any fees or tickets required?
A: No, the Stolperstein is a public memorial and can be visited free of charge at any time.

Q: When is the best time to visit?
A: Daylight hours, particularly mornings or late afternoons on weekdays, offer the best visibility and a peaceful atmosphere.

Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: The Stolperstein is at street level and accessible, though nearby cobblestones may be uneven. Alternative routes are available.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, guided tours are offered by the Mainz Tourist Information and various local organizations.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Discreet photography is allowed; please be respectful of others at the site.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Visiting the Stolperstein for Irma Metzger in Mainz is a moving experience that transforms history into personal reflection. By pausing at this modest memorial and learning about Irma Metzger and her family, visitors help keep the memory of Holocaust victims alive and contribute to a culture of remembrance and tolerance.

Plan your visit today using the Stolpersteine Mainz website and the official Stolpersteine portal. Download the Audiala app for interactive guides, and join commemorative events or guided tours for deeper engagement. Explore nearby historical sites to enrich your understanding of Mainz’s Jewish heritage.