Stolperstein Dedicated To Arthur Hirsch

Stolperstein Arthur Hirsch Stuttgart: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Complete Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Arthur Hirsch in Stuttgart is a powerful and intimate reminder of the city’s Jewish history and the devastating impact of Nazi persecution. Stolpersteine—or “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques set in sidewalks across Europe, each commemorating a victim of National Socialism at their last freely chosen place of residence. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, the project has grown into the world’s largest decentralized memorial, with over 116,000 stones installed in more than 1,860 municipalities across 31 countries as of 2024 (Stolpersteine Facts and Figures).

The Arthur Hirsch Stolperstein, located at Hospitalstraße 21B in Stuttgart, marks the last home of a Jewish resident who died as a result of the Kristallnacht pogroms. Visiting this site offers a way to connect both with Hirsch’s personal story and with the wider history of Stuttgart’s Jewish community. The city is actively involved in Holocaust remembrance, offering educational programs, community-led stone cleaning events, and guided tours. This guide provides historical background, practical visitor information, and context to help you make the most of your visit.

Origins and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project
Stolpersteine in Stuttgart: Locations and Visiting Tips
The Story of Arthur Hirsch
Artistic and Memorial Significance
Historical Context: Nazi Persecution in Stuttgart
Community Involvement and Ongoing Research
Visitor Information: Tours, Accessibility, and Walking Routes
FAQ: Visiting Stolpersteine in Stuttgart
Preservation and the Future of the Project
Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of Stolpersteine

Origins and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project is a decentralized memorial initiative by artist Gunter Demnig. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass-plated cobblestone embedded in the pavement, inscribed with the name, birth year, and fate of a victim of Nazi persecution. The project honors Jews, Sinti and Roma, people with disabilities, political opponents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others targeted by the regime. The metaphorical “stumbling” occurs as passersby encounter the stones in their daily lives, prompting reflection on the individuals once living at those addresses (Stolpersteine Facts and Figures).

By placing commemoration directly in the urban landscape, the Stolpersteine project ensures the memory of the victims remains part of everyday life, not confined to centralized museums or monuments.

Stolpersteine in Stuttgart: Locations and Visiting Tips

Stuttgart is home to over 1,000 Stolpersteine, installed across its districts since 2003. The city has a vibrant remembrance culture, supported by 16 volunteer groups researching and commemorating Nazi victims (Stuttgarter Zeitung). Stones are especially concentrated in Stuttgart-Süd, but can be found citywide.

Tips for Visiting:

Stolpersteine are accessible at all times, free of charge, as they are part of public sidewalks.
Best visited during daylight for better visibility.
Most stones are accessible to wheelchair users, though some sidewalks may have uneven surfaces.
Guided tours are available through local organizations and the city’s tourism office (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

You can use interactive maps to plan walking routes:
Stolpersteine Locations Map (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

The Story of Arthur Hirsch

Arthur Hirsch was born on March 16, 1886, in Tübingen. After serving in World War I, he married Hermine Singer in 1919 and settled in Stuttgart, where their sons Erwin and Gerhard were born. The family lived at several addresses, including Hospitalstraße 21B.

As anti-Semitic persecution intensified after 1933, the Hirsches, like many Jewish families, faced social and economic discrimination. Following the Kristallnacht pogroms of November 1938, Arthur Hirsch was arrested and died in custody on December 8, 1938 (Stolpersteine Stuttgart – Arthur Hirsch).

His Stolperstein, installed on October 6, 2009, at Hospitalstraße 21B, marks the last freely chosen residence of the family before their lives were destroyed by the Nazi regime (Traces of War – Arthur Hirsch).

Artistic and Memorial Significance

Unlike traditional monuments, Stolpersteine transform everyday urban spaces into sites of memory. Each stone is handcrafted, with names and dates stamped into brass, then set into the pavement under Gunter Demnig’s supervision. This “art in public space” approach ensures that remembrance is woven into daily life (Stolpersteine Facts and Figures).

Ceremonies to lay new stones are public events, often attended by relatives, local officials, and community members. Volunteers regularly polish the brass, reinforcing the ongoing nature of remembrance (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

Historical Context: Nazi Persecution in Stuttgart

Before 1933, Stuttgart had a flourishing Jewish community. Under the Nazis, Jewish residents faced escalating discrimination, forced emigration, deportation, and murder. The Stolpersteine in Stuttgart-Süd and elsewhere mark the last homes of those persecuted, with each inscription beginning “HIER WOHNTE” (“Here lived”) and detailing their fate (Stolpersteine in Stuttgart-Süd).

The Arthur Hirsch Stolperstein serves as a tangible link to this history, allowing visitors to reflect on the human cost of Nazi policies.

Community Involvement and Ongoing Research

Stuttgart’s Stolperstein installations are community-driven. Local groups research victim biographies, fundraise, and coordinate installation ceremonies. This collaborative approach keeps the memory alive and ensures new stories continue to be uncovered and commemorated (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

Educational programs, podcasts, and oral histories supplement the stones, providing deeper context for visitors (Gedenkworte Podcast).

Visitor Information: Tours, Accessibility, and Walking Routes

Location:

Address: Hospitalstraße 21B, 70174 Stuttgart
Coordinates: 48.776944° N, 9.172254° E
(Traces of War – Arthur Hirsch)

Getting There:

Easily accessible by S-Bahn (Stadtmitte) and U-Bahn (Rotebühlplatz).
Located in the city center, near the Hospitalhof, Renitenztheater, and Bibliorama (Mapcarta).

Accessibility:

The Stolperstein is at street level and accessible to wheelchair users, though some urban pavements may be uneven.

Visiting Hours & Admission:

Open 24/7, no tickets or fees required.

Guided Tours:

Offered by local initiatives and museums. Check Stolpersteine Stuttgart for schedules.

Nearby Attractions:

Hotel Silber: Nazi police headquarters, now a museum.
Staatstheater Stuttgart, Renitenztheater, Bibliorama.

FAQ: Visiting Stolpersteine in Stuttgart

Do I need a ticket to visit?
No, all Stolpersteine are freely accessible as part of the public sidewalk.

Are there guided tours?
Yes, local groups and museums offer tours focusing on Stolpersteine and Holocaust history (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

How do I find specific stones?
Use the Stolpersteine Stuttgart map or contact local initiatives.

Is the site accessible?
Yes, but some streets may have uneven paving.

Can visitors help maintain the stones?
Yes, polishing Stolpersteine is a meaningful act of remembrance open to all (Stolpersteine Stuttgart – Cleaning Tips).

Preservation and the Future of the Project

The Stolpersteine project continues to expand as more victims are identified and commemorated. In Stuttgart, regular maintenance ensures the stones remain legible, with community “cleaning days” and educational events encouraging public participation. The ongoing digitization of stories and interactive mapping tools make this memory work accessible worldwide (Stolpersteine Database).

Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of Stolpersteine

The Arthur Hirsch Stolperstein stands as a testament to individual lives disrupted by history and the necessity of remembrance. As part of a citywide and international network, the stone anchors the history of the Holocaust within daily life, inviting residents and visitors to pause, reflect, and bear witness.

By visiting, participating in tours, or engaging in community maintenance, you help keep memory alive and confront the dangers of forgetting. For a deeper experience, explore digital resources, join events, and visit related sites such as Hotel Silber. Through these acts, we honor Arthur Hirsch and all those commemorated by Stolpersteine.