Stolperstein Dedicated To Karl Baum

Stolperstein for Karl Baum Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Karl Baum in Wiesbaden, Germany, offers a powerful encounter with the city’s layered history and the enduring memory of those persecuted by the Nazi regime. Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) are small brass plaques set into sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of individuals targeted by National Socialism. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, the Stolpersteine project has become the world’s largest decentralized memorial, restoring the names and stories of victims across more than 27 European countries (pragueviews.com; am-spiegelgasse.de; Germany.info; wiesbaden-lebt.de).

Wiesbaden has embraced this form of remembrance, with 784 Stolpersteine citywide, each honoring individuals from diverse backgrounds—Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ persons, and others. The Stolperstein for Karl Baum is set in the Westend/Rheingauviertel district, marking his last known residence and inviting reflection on his life’s story.

This comprehensive guide covers the history, significance, location, visiting tips, and cultural context of the Stolperstein for Karl Baum, equipping visitors to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with this memorial and Wiesbaden’s broader historical landscape.

Origins and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project
Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden and the Commemoration of Karl Baum
Visiting Information: Location, Hours, and Accessibility
Community Involvement and Educational Value
Visitor Etiquette and Tips
Nearby Historical Sites and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion and Call to Action
Sources and Further Reading

Origins and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine project was initiated by Gunter Demnig with the aim to counteract the Nazi regime’s systematic erasure of individual identities. Each Stolperstein is a 10x10 cm brass-capped cobblestone, hand-engraved with the victim’s name, date of birth, fate, and, when known, the date and place of death (pragueviews.com; stolpersteine.eu). The project’s guiding principle, rooted in the Talmudic saying “A person is only forgotten when their name is no longer remembered,” is to restore personal memory through physical presence in the urban environment.

The decentralized nature of the Stolpersteine means that remembrance is woven into everyday life, prompting spontaneous moments of reflection for residents and visitors alike. Each stone requires the observer to bow their head to read it—a gesture that symbolizes respect and remembrance.

Stolpersteine commemorate a broad spectrum of Nazi victims, including Jews, Sinti and Roma, disabled individuals, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ persons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others. Each is remembered with a single stone at their last chosen home, while “Stolperschwelle” (stumbling thresholds) are used for larger groups (stolpersteine.eu).

Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden and the Commemoration of Karl Baum

Wiesbaden has been an active participant in the Stolpersteine project since 2006, with the first stones laid in 2008 (am-spiegelgasse.de). As of June 2025, 784 stones have been installed throughout the city, including the Karl Baum Stolperstein in the Westend/Rheingauviertel district.

The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse für Deutsch-Jüdische Geschichte coordinates research, installation, and educational programming for the Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden. Community members, schools, and organizations sponsor stones by contributing a €120 fee, which covers production and installation. The museum maintains a comprehensive online database and offers biographical information, making each memorial a starting point for deeper research and reflection (am-spiegelgasse.de; wiesbaden-lebt.de).

The Stolperstein for Karl Baum exemplifies the city’s commitment to personal and collective remembrance, ensuring that his story—and those of other victims—are not lost to history.

Visiting Information: Location, Hours, and Accessibility

Location:
The Stolperstein for Karl Baum is located in the Westend/Rheingauviertel district of Wiesbaden, close to landmarks like the Wiesbaden City Palace (Stadtschloss), Altes Rathaus, and St. Bonifatius Church (Mapcarta). The stone’s exact position can be found via the museum’s online database or the Stolpersteine app.

Hours and Access:
Stolpersteine are embedded in public sidewalks and are accessible 24/7. There are no entrance fees or tickets required. The city center is pedestrian-friendly and well served by public transport, with the “Dern’sches Gelände” stop nearby (Wiesbaden Tourist Information).

Accessibility:
The Wiesbaden city center and Stolperstein sites are generally wheelchair-accessible, with curb cuts and smooth pavements. The Wiesbaden Tourist Information Center can provide further assistance for visitors with mobility needs.

Community Involvement and Educational Value

Local involvement is central to the Stolpersteine project in Wiesbaden. Residents, students, and community groups sponsor and maintain stones, often participating in cleaning events—especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) or during installation ceremonies (wiesbaden-lebt.de). The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse offers guided tours, educational workshops, and publishes biographical resources. Digital tools, such as the Stolpersteine app, provide interactive maps and detailed background information (wiesbaden-lebt.de).

Schools use the project for educational initiatives, researching the lives and fates behind the plaques and fostering critical engagement with the past.

Visitor Etiquette and Tips

Be Respectful: Approach the stone thoughtfully and avoid stepping directly on it.
Pause and Reflect: Take a quiet moment to read and consider the inscription.
Participate in Cleaning: Join community cleaning events if possible, or gently clean the stone with a cloth as a sign of remembrance.
Leave Tokens: Flowers or small stones are traditional ways to honor the memory.
Photography: Discreet photography is allowed. Be mindful of residential surroundings.
Language: Inscriptions are in German, but brief. The Tourist Information Center and guides offer support in other languages.

Nearby Historical Sites and Resources

After visiting the Stolperstein for Karl Baum, explore Wiesbaden’s rich historical landscape:

Stadtschloss Wiesbaden: The former ducal palace, now the Hessian Parliament.
Altes Rathaus: The city’s oldest town hall, often hosting exhibitions.
St. Bonifatius: A neo-Gothic church open to visitors.
Gedenkstätte am Michelsberg: Memorial for Wiesbaden’s deported and murdered Jewish residents.
Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse: Central hub for Jewish history and Stolpersteine research.

The Wiesbaden Tourist Information Center at Marktplatz 1 provides maps, guides, and recommendations, and is fully accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Stolpersteine?
Small brass plaques commemorating victims of Nazi persecution, installed at their last freely chosen residence.

Are there visiting hours or tickets required?
No. Stolpersteine are accessible at all times and free to visit.

Where is the Stolperstein for Karl Baum?
In the Westend/Rheingauviertel district of Wiesbaden, near Stadtschloss and Altes Rathaus. Use the Stolpersteine app or Mapcarta for precise directions.

Are guided tours available?
Yes. Offered by the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse and local historical groups. The Stolpersteine app also supports self-guided tours.

Is the location accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes. The city center has accessible sidewalks, and the Tourist Information Center provides additional support.

Can I participate in maintenance?
Yes. Community cleaning events are open to visitors and residents.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The Stolperstein for Karl Baum in Wiesbaden is a living memorial that invites both personal reflection and collective remembrance. By pausing at this small plaque, visitors honor a life disrupted by history and help ensure that the stories of Nazi victims remain present in our urban environment. Wiesbaden’s commitment to the Stolpersteine project—through education, community action, and digital innovation—demonstrates the enduring value of remembering the past.

We encourage all visitors to engage thoughtfully, participate in commemorative events, and utilize resources like the Stolpersteine and Audiala apps for deeper historical context. Share your visit with care, contribute to ongoing remembrance, and explore Wiesbaden’s many historical sites to enrich your understanding of the city’s heritage.

Sources and Further Reading

Visiting Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: History, Significance, and Visitor Guide, 2024, Prague Views (pragueviews.com)
A Visitor’s Guide to Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: History, Locations, and Tours, 2024, Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse (am-spiegelgasse.de)
Visiting the Stolperstein for Karl Baum in Wiesbaden: Location, Significance & Tips, 2024, Germany.info and Wiesbaden lebt (Germany.info), (wiesbaden-lebt.de)
Visiting the Stolperstein for Karl Baum in Wiesbaden: Hours, Location, and Visitor Tips, 2024, Wiesbaden Tourist Information (tourismus.wiesbaden.de)
Stolpersteine.eu Official Website (stolpersteine.eu)