Stolperstein Liselotte Herrmann Stuttgart: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Visitor Guide
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
In the heart of Stuttgart, the Stolperstein dedicated to Liselotte Herrmann stands as a moving memorial to one of Germany’s earliest female political resistance fighters executed under the Nazi regime. This small brass plaque, set into the pavement at Hölderlinstraße 22—the site of her family home and arrest—invites reflection on her courage, sacrifice, and the broader context of resistance to tyranny. As part of the world’s largest decentralized memorial, the Stolperstein project, this site connects personal memory with public space, embedding the stories of Nazi victims into everyday life (Stolpersteine Stuttgart, German Resistance Memorial Center, Stadtlexikon Stuttgart).
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Stolperstein for Liselotte Herrmann, including historical background, practical visiting information, related sites, and resources for deeper exploration.
Contents Overview
- Introduction
- Historical Background of Liselotte Herrmann
- The Stolperstein Project: Overview and Significance
- The Liselotte Herrmann Stolperstein in Stuttgart
- Visiting Information: Location, Hours, and Accessibility
- Practical Tips and Visitor Etiquette
- Nearby Historical Sites and Further Exploration
- Educational and Community Impact
- Annual Commemorations
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Visuals and Interactive Resources
- Conclusion
- Sources and Further Reading
Historical Background of Liselotte Herrmann
Early Life and Education
Liselotte “Lilo” Herrmann was born on June 23, 1909, in Berlin into a liberal, middle-class family. Her father, Richard Herrmann, was an engineer whose work led the family to move frequently. Lilo completed her Abitur in 1929, initially aspiring to become a painter, but ultimately studied chemistry at the Technical College in Stuttgart at her father’s suggestion (Wikipedia, Frauen im Widerstand).
Political Awakening and Activism
Herrmann’s political involvement began early. She joined the Communist Youth Association (KJVD) and the Red Student League in 1928, later becoming a member of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in 1931. At university in Stuttgart, she became part of a circle around the physician Friedrich Wolf and openly protested Hitler’s rise, leading to her expulsion (German Resistance Memorial Center).
After moving to Berlin to study biology, she again had to abandon her studies due to political persecution. She worked as a nanny and continued active resistance, focusing on exposing Nazi militarization (Stuvus Stuttgart).
Resistance Work and Personal Sacrifice
Lilo Herrmann was involved in clandestine KPD activities, gathering and passing on information about Nazi armament. In 1933, she hid fellow resistance member Fritz Rau and became pregnant by him. Rau was murdered by the Nazis that same year, never meeting his son, Walter, born in 1934. Despite personal loss and danger, Herrmann continued her resistance work in Stuttgart (Stuvus Stuttgart, Frauen im Widerstand).
Arrest, Trial, and Execution
On December 7, 1935, Herrmann was arrested by the Gestapo at her family’s apartment. After a year in custody, she was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof (People’s Court) on June 12, 1937, for “treason committed in combination with preparation for high treason.” Despite international protests, she was executed by guillotine at Berlin-Plötzensee Prison on June 20, 1938, just short of her 29th birthday (German Resistance Memorial Center).
Posthumous Recognition
Herrmann’s legacy was celebrated in the former East Germany, but recognition in Stuttgart and West Germany was slow and sometimes controversial. Activists and youth organizations campaigned for memorials in her honor, leading to the placement of a simple memorial stone and eventually to the installation of the Stolperstein at her family home (Wikipedia, Stadtlexikon Stuttgart).
The Stolperstein Project: Overview and Significance
What Is a Stolperstein?
The Stolperstein (“stumbling stone”) project, launched by artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, is the world’s largest decentralized memorial to victims of National Socialism. Each Stolperstein is a small brass-plated concrete cube, inscribed with the name and details of a victim, and set into the sidewalk at their last freely chosen residence or workplace. The project personalizes remembrance, integrating memory into the fabric of everyday life (Stolpersteine.eu).
Scope and Impact
As of 2025, over 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in more than 1,800 cities across 28 countries, commemorating Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, disabled persons, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others persecuted by the Nazis. In Stuttgart alone, more than 1,200 Stolpersteine form a network of memory throughout the city (Stolpersteine Stuttgart Kartenüberblick).
The Liselotte Herrmann Stolperstein in Stuttgart
Location and Description
The Stolperstein for Liselotte Herrmann is embedded at Hölderlinstraße 22, Stuttgart, at the site of her family home and arrest. Installed in 2008, the stone bears her name, birth year, date of arrest, and execution location and date, offering a succinct yet powerful testament to her life and sacrifice (Stolpersteine Stuttgart).
Hier wohnte
Liselotte Herrmann
Jg. 1909
Verhaftet 1935
Hingerichtet 1938
in Berlin-Plötzensee
The Stolperstein’s central location in the Stuttgart-West district makes it easily accessible, and its proximity to the University of Stuttgart and the Stadtgarten encourages both spontaneous and planned visits.
Visiting Information: Location, Hours, and Accessibility
Address and Access
- Address: Hölderlinstraße 22, 70193 Stuttgart, Germany
- Public Transport:
- S-Bahn: “Stuttgart Universität” station (S1, S2, S3) – approximately 10–15 minutes on foot
- U-Bahn: “Schwabstraße” station (U2, U9, U29, U34) – about 10 minutes on foot
- Bus: Stops nearby on Rotebühlstraße and Schwabstraße
- By Foot/Bicycle: Easily accessible from the city center and university campus
- By Car: Street parking is limited; public garages on Schwabstraße or Rotebühlplatz are recommended (Germany with Amy)
Visiting Hours and Tickets
- Opening Hours: 24/7, as the Stolperstein is embedded in a public sidewalk
- Admission: Free; no ticket required
Accessibility
- The pavement is level and suitable for visitors with mobility impairments, though some cobblestones and narrow sidewalks may pose minor challenges.
Language
- The inscription is in German, but background information in English is available online (Stadtlexikon Stuttgart).
Practical Tips and Visitor Etiquette
- Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to read the inscription and consider Herrmann’s story.
- Leave a Token: Placing a small stone or flower is a traditional sign of remembrance.
- Respect the Space: Be mindful of residents and avoid blocking entrances or pedestrian paths.
- Photography: Discreet photography is allowed; do not obstruct others.
- Cleaning: It is appreciated if visitors gently clean Stolpersteine with a soft cloth as an act of care.
Nearby Historical Sites and Further Exploration
- Hotel Silber: A former Gestapo headquarters now serving as a museum and education center (Hotel Silber)
- Gedenkstein im Stadtgarten: Memorial stone near the university, placed by the Stadtjugendring in 1988 (Stadtlexikon Stuttgart)
- Lilo-Herrmann-Haus: Cultural center in Heslach named after Herrmann, offering events and exhibitions
- Other Stolpersteine: Stuttgart’s interactive maps allow visitors to plan walking routes to multiple sites (Stolpersteine Stuttgart Kartenüberblick)
Educational and Community Impact
The Stolperstein for Liselotte Herrmann is integrated into local educational initiatives, remembrance walks, and school projects. Annual cleaning campaigns and commemorations connect the community to this history. Her story is featured in cultural works, exhibitions, and city tours, ensuring ongoing engagement and dialogue (Stuvus Stuttgart, Frauen im Widerstand).
Annual Commemorations
Every June 20, on the anniversary of Herrmann’s execution, local groups and the university community hold remembrance events at the Stolperstein and other memorials. These gatherings foster reflection on the meaning of resistance and the ongoing responsibility to remember (Stuvus Stuttgart).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is there an admission fee or ticket required to visit the Stolperstein?
A: No, it is free and accessible at all times.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Local organizations occasionally offer guided remembrance walks including the Stolperstein. Check the Stolpersteine Stuttgart events page for updates.
Q: Is the site accessible for people with disabilities?
A: The sidewalk is generally accessible, though some cobblestone areas may require caution.
Q: When is the best time to visit?
A: Daylight hours are recommended for safety and clear visibility.
Q: Can the Stolperstein be cleaned by visitors?
A: Yes, gently cleaning with a soft cloth is an appreciated gesture.
Visuals and Interactive Resources
-
Images:
Alt text: Stolperstein brass plaque for Liselotte Herrmann at Hölderlinstraße 22, Stuttgart. -
Interactive Maps:
Locate this and other Stolpersteine via the Stolpersteine Stuttgart map. -
Digital Guides:
Download the Audiala app for guided audio tours and historical content.
Conclusion
The Stolperstein for Liselotte Herrmann at Hölderlinstraße 22 is more than a memorial; it is a call to remember the cost of resistance and the value of human dignity. By visiting, reflecting, and participating in community remembrance, visitors contribute to an enduring culture of memory and vigilance. Explore Stuttgart’s network of Stolpersteine and related historical sites to deepen your understanding of the city’s—and Europe’s—complex history of resistance, loss, and hope.
