Stolperstein Dedicated To Berta Göpfert

Stolperstein Berta Göpfert: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Stuttgart Historical Sites Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein project stands as one of the most profound and innovative approaches to Holocaust remembrance, transforming city streets across Europe into living memorials. Since its inception in 1992 by German artist Gunter Demnig, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine—small, brass-plated “stumbling stones”—have been installed in over 1,800 cities across 28 countries, making Stolpersteine the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial (Wikipedia; Germany.info). Each stone commemorates an individual—Jewish victims, Roma and Sinti, disabled people, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others—whose life was shattered by Nazi persecution.

Among these is the Stolperstein for Berta Göpfert in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Berta Göpfert was institutionalized due to severe depression and murdered in 1940 under the Nazi “Aktion T4” euthanasia program. Her Stolperstein, placed at Brackenheimer Straße 25 in 2010, bears witness to her story, ensuring it is not forgotten (Stolpersteine Stuttgart; Stuttgarter Zeitung).

This guide provides a comprehensive overview for visitors: it covers the Stolperstein’s history, practical visiting tips, accessibility, community involvement, and related sites in Stuttgart. By connecting with these small yet powerful memorials, you partake in an ongoing act of remembrance and contribute to the living memory of those whose lives were cut short by intolerance and violence.

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project
Expansion and Scale
Artistic and Memorial Philosophy
Berta Göpfert: Biography and Commemoration
Practical Visitor Information
Community Involvement and Significance
Controversies and Challenges
Lasting Impact of the Stolpersteine
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Enhance Your Visit with Multimedia
Conclusion and Call to Action

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project

Launched in 1992 by Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project was conceived as a grassroots memorial to victims of Nazi persecution (Wikipedia; Germany.info). Unlike centralized monuments, Stolpersteine are modest 10 cm concrete cubes with a brass plate, embedded in the pavement outside the last chosen residence or workplace of each victim (Folklife Magazine). Demnig’s vision was to make remembrance part of daily life, prompting passersby to “stumble” upon these stories and reflect on the individuals behind them (Prague Views).

Expansion and Scale

From the first stones laid in Cologne, the Stolpersteine project has grown exponentially. As of 2023, over 100,000 stones have been placed in 28 countries, commemorating victims from various persecuted groups (Wikipedia; Germany.info). Stuttgart alone is home to over 1,050 Stolpersteine, each representing a life interrupted by Nazi violence (Stuttgarter Zeitung; Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

Artistic and Memorial Philosophy

Demnig’s philosophy is that memory should live within the flow of ordinary life (Folklife Magazine). Each stone is engraved with the name, birth year, fate, and (if known) death date and place, restoring individuality to victims and transforming abstract numbers into personal narratives (Wikipedia). The act of stumbling is both literal and symbolic, serving as a prompt to remember and as a statement that the past is embedded within the present (Germany.info).

Berta Göpfert: Biography and Commemoration

Historical Background

Berta Göpfert (b. 1904) was a resident of Stuttgart who, due to severe depression, was institutionalized in 1930. She was murdered in 1940 at Schloss Grafeneck as part of the Nazi “Aktion T4” euthanasia program (Stolpersteine Stuttgart: Berta Göpfert; Stuttgarter Zeitung). Her Stolperstein at Brackenheimer Straße 25, laid in 2010, ensures her story is woven into the daily life of Stuttgart.

Inscription (translated):

Here lived
Berta Göpfert
Born 1904
Institutionalized 1930
”Heilanstalt” Weinsberg
Murdered 8.5.1940 Grafeneck
Aktion T4

Each inscription succinctly restores dignity and individuality to a life lost (Stolpersteine Stuttgart: Berta Göpfert).

Practical Visitor Information

Locations and Accessibility

The Stolperstein for Berta Göpfert is set at Brackenheimer Straße 25, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Stolpersteine are embedded in public sidewalks and are accessible 24/7, without admission fees (Stolpersteine Guide).

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Open access at all times; no tickets required.

Guided Tours and Educational Programs

Local initiatives, such as “Gegen das Vergessen: Stolpersteine für Stuttgart,” offer guided tours and educational events (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).
Tours are often scheduled on Holocaust remembrance dates. Refer to the Stolpersteine Stuttgart website or the Stolpersteine Guide app for more information.

Nearby Historical Sites and Attractions

Stuttgart City Museum: Chronicles the city’s diverse history.
Memorial to the Jews of Stuttgart: Dedicated to local Holocaust victims.
Old Castle (Altes Schloss): Houses the Württemberg State Museum.
Weissenhof Estate: An architectural landmark.

Visitor Tips

Wear comfortable shoes for walking between sites.
Bring a camera; respectful photography is permitted.
Use online maps or the Stolpersteine Guide app for navigation.
Participate in community remembrance events for a deeper experience.

Community Involvement and Significance

The Stolpersteine project relies on grassroots participation. Stones are sponsored by residents, organizations, or descendants, with maintenance and cleaning encouraged as acts of remembrance (Folklife Magazine). Stuttgart’s local initiatives coordinate ceremonies, research, and events to keep the victims’ memories alive (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).

Controversies and Challenges

Some cities have questioned the appropriateness of Stolpersteine being placed in pavements, fearing disrespect if they are stepped on or soiled (Wikipedia). While cities like Munich have chosen alternative memorials, most embrace Stolpersteine for their unique ability to integrate remembrance into city life.

Lasting Impact of the Stolpersteine

By decentralizing memory and focusing on individual stories, the Stolpersteine project has fundamentally changed how the Holocaust is remembered in Europe. Each stone acts as a prompt for reflection and a call to vigilance against hatred and exclusion (Stolpersteine Stuttgart; Germany.info). The ongoing expansion of Stolpersteine and active community involvement ensure these memories remain a living part of society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the Stolperstein for Berta Göpfert located?
At Brackenheimer Straße 25, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Use the Stolpersteine Guide app for precise navigation.

Are there visiting hours or fees?
No. Stolpersteine are accessible at all times and visiting is free.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, check Stolpersteine Stuttgart or the Stolpersteine Guide app for schedules.

Can I photograph the Stolpersteine?
Yes. Photography is permitted; please be respectful.

How can I support the project?
Sponsor a stone, participate in cleaning events, or attend remembrance activities (Folklife Magazine).

Enhance Your Visit with Multimedia

Explore virtual tours, interactive maps, and downloadable guides for deeper engagement (Stolpersteine Guide). Many resources offer images and accessible content to help you plan your visit and understand the broader context.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Visiting the Stolperstein for Berta Göpfert is both a solemn act of remembrance and an educational journey through Stuttgart’s complex history. Take advantage of guided tours, educational programs, and community events to deepen your engagement. By participating, you help ensure the persistence of memory and the lessons it imparts for future generations.

Download the Stolpersteine Guide app for easy navigation, and consider supporting local remembrance initiatives. Each visit, each act of memory, contributes to the ongoing struggle against intolerance and for human dignity.