Stolperstein memorial dedicated to Juliane Gärtner in Mainz, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Juliane Gärtner

Stolperstein Juliane Gärtner Mainz: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction: Honoring Juliane Gärtner through Stolpersteine in Mainz

The Stolperstein dedicated to Juliane Gärtner in Mainz, Germany, provides a deeply personal connection to the city’s past and the stories of individuals who suffered under Nazi persecution. Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” form the world’s largest decentralized memorial, initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992. Embedded in sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of victims, these brass plaques restore individuality and dignity to those lost during the Holocaust and Nazi terror.

Mainz’s Stolperstein for Juliane Gärtner, located at Kaiserstraße 24 in the Altstadt, commemorates her life and extraordinary act of resistance during Kristallnacht, when she bravely secured her son’s release from Gestapo custody. The broader Stolpersteine initiative in Mainz integrates remembrance into daily urban life, supported by detailed digital archives and ongoing community involvement.

This comprehensive guide offers historical context, practical visitor information, and insights into the cultural significance of the Stolperstein project. Whether you visit independently or join a guided tour, you will find all you need to engage meaningfully with Mainz’s living memory and honor Juliane Gärtner’s legacy (stolpersteine-mainz.de, haus-des-erinnerns-mainz.de, mainz-tourismus.com).

Historical Background of Juliane Gärtner and Her Family
Location, Visiting Hours, and Accessibility
How to Get There
Nearby Attractions and Related Historical Sites
Guided Tours and Special Events
Visitor Tips and Respectful Engagement
The Stolperstein Project: Origins and Local Significance
Social, Educational, and Urban Impact
Diversity of Victims Commemorated
Digital and Physical Remembrance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Visuals and Interactive Media
Conclusion and Call to Action
Sources and Further Reading

Historical Background: Juliane Gärtner and Her Family

Juliane Gärtner was born into a Jewish family in Mainz in the late 19th century. Married to Simon Gärtner, a businessman who later entered the wine trade, their family was marked by both community involvement and tragedy—two sons were lost in World War I, and the third, Willi, continued the family’s business.

The Gärtners, like many Jewish families, faced escalating threats under the Nazi regime. In November 1938, during Kristallnacht, Juliane’s son Willi was arrested by the Gestapo. Undaunted, Juliane, dressed in mourning for her fallen sons, confronted the authorities and demanded Willi’s release—an act of remarkable courage that succeeded within minutes. Her story, immortalized by her Stolperstein, stands as a symbol of resistance and maternal bravery (tobiasherz.de).

Location, Visiting Hours, and Accessibility

Address: Kaiserstraße 24, 55116 Mainz, Germany
Accessibility: The Stolperstein is embedded in the public sidewalk and can be visited at any time, with no ticket or appointment required. The area is generally wheelchair accessible, though some uneven pavements may be encountered.

How to Get There

By Public Transport: Mainz Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is about a 10-minute walk from Kaiserstraße 24. The area is well-served by local buses and trams.
By Car: Limited parking is available in the city center. Public transport is recommended due to parking constraints and the central location.

Enhance your visit by exploring other significant sites in Mainz:

Jewish Museum Mainz: Chronicling the city’s Jewish history.
Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom): An architectural and historical landmark.
Gutenberg Museum: Celebrating Mainz’s printing heritage.
Other Stolpersteine: Numerous stones are located throughout the Altstadt and Mainz-Kastel districts, each commemorating individual victims.

Guided Tours and Special Events

Local organizations and the Mainz tourism office offer guided walking tours focused on Stolpersteine and Jewish history. These tours often include the Juliane Gärtner memorial and are available seasonally or on special commemorative dates, such as Holocaust Remembrance Day. For details and booking, consult the Mainz Tourism Website and Stolpersteine Mainz.

Visitor Tips and Respectful Engagement

Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to read the inscription and think about the individual commemorated.
Respectful Behavior: Avoid stepping directly on the stones; bring flowers or light a candle if you wish.
Participate: Join local cleaning events or ceremonies, particularly on remembrance days.
Use Digital Resources: Access the Stolpersteine Mainz directory and interactive maps for self-guided walks.
Photography: Discreet photography is allowed; respect the privacy of local residents.

The Stolperstein Project: Origins and Local Significance

Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) were conceived by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992 to commemorate all victims of Nazi persecution. Each Stolperstein is a brass-plated cobblestone inscribed with the victim’s name, birthdate, and fate, placed at their last freely chosen residence (stolpersteine.eu). The project is both a memorial and a “social sculpture,” involving survivors, descendants, schools, and communities in research and sponsorship.

Since 2007, Mainz has installed over 350 Stolpersteine as of 2025, integrating remembrance into the city’s daily life (mainz.de). Each stone is the product of meticulous research by the Haus des Erinnerns and the Verein für Sozialgeschichte Mainz, which maintain a comprehensive digital archive (stolpersteine-mainz.de).

The Stolpersteine in Mainz serve not only as memorials but as tools for education and dialogue. Schools and youth groups frequently participate in research, ceremonies, and stone maintenance, fostering empathy and civic responsibility (stolpersteine.eu). The digital archive makes detailed biographies and historical documents accessible to all.

Physically, Stolpersteine transform the urban landscape into a living memorial. Their placement in everyday spaces invites spontaneous reflection and personal engagement (scholarhub.ui.ac.id).

Diversity of Victims Commemorated

Initially focused on Jewish victims, Stolpersteine now honor a diverse range of those persecuted under National Socialism: Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. The project’s inclusivity is evident in Mainz’s varied stones (pragueviews.com).

Digital and Physical Remembrance

Mainz combines physical Stolpersteine with a dynamic digital archive, allowing for continual updates, new research, and interactive exploration. This approach ensures accessibility and engagement for residents and global visitors alike (haus-des-erinnerns-mainz.de).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Stolpersteine accessible at all times?
Yes, they are embedded in public sidewalks and can be visited 24/7 without tickets or fees.

Are there guided tours?
Yes, guided tours are offered periodically by local organizations. Check Stolpersteine Mainz and Mainz tourism for details.

Can I sponsor a Stolperstein?
Yes, individuals or organizations can initiate sponsorship. Contact the city or local coordinators for current procedures and costs.

Is the Stolperstein wheelchair accessible?
Generally yes, though visitors should be mindful of occasional uneven pavements.

Is photography allowed?
Yes, but please be discreet and respect nearby residents.

Where can I find more information about Juliane Gärtner?
The Stolpersteine Mainz database offers biographies and historical documents.

Visuals and Interactive Media

Include high-quality photos of the Stolperstein for Juliane Gärtner with alt text such as “Stolperstein for Juliane Gärtner in Mainz sidewalk, brass-plated memorial stone.”
Interactive maps are available via the Stolpersteine Mainz directory.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The Stolperstein dedicated to Juliane Gärtner epitomizes the intersection of personal history and collective memory in Mainz. It transforms city streets into reflective spaces, ensuring that the stories of individuals like Juliane continue to inspire. Visitors deepen their understanding of Mainz’s heritage by engaging respectfully with the memorial, exploring related historical sites, and participating in community remembrance.

We encourage you to make use of digital resources, participate in tours or remembrance events, and consider supporting local initiatives. By doing so, you become part of an ongoing act of remembrance that honors resilience, challenges indifference, and upholds the dignity of all victims of Nazi persecution.