
Visiting the Stolperstein for Abraham Friedmann in Wiesbaden, Germany: Guide, Tickets, Hours, and Tips
Date: 03/07/2025
Introduction
The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project is a poignant memorial initiative honoring victims of Nazi persecution. In Wiesbaden, Germany, the Stolperstein dedicated to Abraham Friedmann stands as a powerful testament to personal stories amid the broader history of the Holocaust. This guide provides comprehensive information for visitors, including historical context, practical details, respectful visitation guidelines, and recommendations for exploring related sites in Wiesbaden.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project
- Abraham Friedmann: Biography and Commemoration
- Visiting Information: Hours, Location, and Accessibility
- Guided Tours and Community Initiatives
- Etiquette for Visiting Stolpersteine
- Cultural and Educational Context
- Nearby Points of Interest
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion and Visiting Recommendations
- Sources
History and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project
The Stolpersteine project, initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, is the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial. Its mission is to commemorate individual victims of the Nazi regime—including Jews, Roma, Sinti, political prisoners, LGBTQ+ people, and others—by embedding small brass plaques into the pavements outside their last freely chosen residences or workplaces. Each Stolperstein is engraved with the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and, if known, the date and place of death. By 2025, over 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed across Europe, transforming ordinary sidewalks into sites of remembrance (Stolpersteine.eu; Times of Israel).
The project’s decentralized and participatory nature allows communities to commemorate local victims, personalizing the history of the Holocaust and counteracting the risk of anonymization. In Wiesbaden, the Stolpersteine project is particularly meaningful, as more than 1,500 Jewish residents were murdered during the Nazi era. Today, hundreds of Stolpersteine throughout the city keep their memory alive (Am-Spiegelgasse.de).
Abraham Friedmann: Biography and Commemoration
Abraham Adolf Friedmann was a Jewish resident of Wiesbaden who became a victim of Nazi persecution. His Stolperstein is located at Herderstraße 11 in the Dichterviertel district, a historically significant neighborhood. The memorial is part of a cluster of stones commemorating additional Friedmann family members, including Beatrix, Edith, and Hilde Friedmann (Stolpersteinliste Wiesbaden, p. 4).
The brass plaque bears Abraham Friedmann’s full name and essential biographical details, serving as a lasting reminder of his life and fate. By pausing to read his name, visitors restore individuality to a victim of mass atrocity and participate in an act of remembrance.
Visiting Information: Hours, Location, and Accessibility
Hours and Admission
- Open 24/7: The Stolperstein for Abraham Friedmann is embedded in a public sidewalk and is accessible at any time.
- Free Entry: No admission fee or ticket is required.
Location
- Address: Herderstraße 11, 65185 Wiesbaden, Germany
- District: Dichterviertel, near Rheingauviertel and Westend (Mapcarta)
The Stolperstein is embedded in the pavement directly in front of the building. The area is easily reached by public transportation, with Wiesbaden’s city center within walking distance. Buses and taxis serve the neighborhood, and the street is generally accessible, though minor unevenness due to cobblestones may be present.
Accessibility
The sidewalk at Herderstraße 11 is typically accessible for most visitors, including those with mobility challenges. However, as with many European cities, some surfaces may be uneven.
Guided Tours and Community Initiatives
While there are no regular tours focused solely on the Abraham Friedmann Stolperstein, Wiesbaden offers walking tours highlighting multiple Stolpersteine and other sites of Jewish heritage. These tours, often organized by local museums or historical groups, provide deeper historical context and personal stories (Am-Spiegelgasse.de). During Holocaust Remembrance Day and other commemorative dates, local volunteers may organize cleaning and remembrance events, in which visitors are welcome to participate (Wiesbaden-lebt.de).
Digital tools such as interactive maps and the Audiala app can help visitors locate Stolpersteine and access additional biographical information.
Etiquette for Visiting Stolpersteine
To honor the memory of Abraham Friedmann and all victims commemorated by Stolpersteine, visitors are encouraged to follow these guidelines:
- Dress Modestly: Out of respect for the memorial and others who may be visiting.
- Be Quiet and Reflective: Maintain a solemn demeanor; avoid disruptive behavior.
- Do Not Stand On or Touch the Stone: Help preserve the integrity of the memorial (American Memorial Site; Roupp Funeral Home).
- Leave Small Stones or Flowers: Placing a pebble or a flower beside the plaque is a traditional gesture of remembrance. Remove any wrappers or litter afterward.
- Photography: Allowed, but be discreet and avoid using flash, especially if others are present.
- Share Space: If others are visiting, allow them privacy and time for reflection.
Cultural and Educational Context
Wiesbaden’s Stolpersteine project is part of a broader effort to recognize and teach about the city’s once-vibrant Jewish community and the devastation wrought by the Holocaust. Educational initiatives, school projects, and community-maintenance days keep the memorials visible and relevant. The Stolpersteine at Herderstraße 11 provide a particularly moving opportunity to reflect on the fate of entire families and the broader social consequences of Nazi persecution (Stolpersteinliste Wiesbaden).
Nearby Points of Interest
- Other Stolpersteine: Several more stones are within walking distance, including those for Beatrix, Edith, and Hilde Friedmann (Mapcarta).
- Museum Wiesbaden: Offers exhibitions on regional and cultural history.
- Kurhaus Wiesbaden: A historic spa house and notable example of local architecture.
- Dichterviertel and Westend: Neighborhoods rich in cultural and architectural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are there visiting hours for the Abraham Friedmann Stolperstein?
A: The Stolperstein is on a public sidewalk and is accessible 24/7.
Q: Is there an admission fee or are tickets required?
A: No, visiting is free and open to all.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: While no tours focus solely on this stone, city walking tours include Stolpersteine as part of broader routes.
Q: How should I behave when visiting?
A: Dress modestly, be quiet and respectful, do not stand on or touch the stone, and consider leaving a stone or flower.
Q: Is the site accessible for people with mobility challenges?
A: The sidewalk is generally accessible, though some surfaces may be uneven.
Conclusion and Visiting Recommendations
The Stolperstein for Abraham Friedmann in Wiesbaden is a powerful site of memory that invites reflection on the Holocaust’s personal and collective tragedies. Accessible at all times and free of charge, it offers a meaningful opportunity for remembrance and education. Visitors are encouraged to approach the site with reverence, participate in local commemorative events if possible, and explore nearby historical and cultural attractions.
To enrich your visit, use digital resources such as the Audiala app for guided audio tours, and consult interactive maps for precise navigation. Community involvement in cleaning and remembrance activities ensures these memorials remain a vital part of Wiesbaden’s living history.
By reading the names, pausing in memory, and sharing these stories, each visitor contributes to keeping the lessons of history alive for future generations.
Sources
- Stolpersteine – The Art Memorial
- The Name of Every Jew Who Ever Lived: Jewish Genealogy Amid Renewed Antisemitism, Times of Israel
- Visiting Stolpersteine Wiesbaden: History, Significance, and Visitor Information, Am Spiegelgasse
- Visiting Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: Hours, Tours, and Historical Insights, Wiesbaden Tourism
- Stolpersteinliste Wiesbaden (PDF)
- Wiesbaden Historical Walking Tours and Cultural Sites, GermanSights.com
- Mapcarta Wiesbaden Districts
- Wiesbaden Lebt: Community Involvement and Ongoing Maintenance
- Etiquette and Customs: American Memorial Site
- Cemetery Etiquette, Roupp Funeral Home
- Stolpersteine: Stumbling Stones, Prague Views