Stolperstein Marie Oppenheim Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
The Stolperstein dedicated to Marie Oppenheim in Wiesbaden, Germany, stands as a powerful and intimate memorial to the victims of Nazi persecution. Stolpersteine—literally “stumbling stones”—are small, brass-plated plaques set into the sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of those targeted by the Nazi regime. Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine project brings remembrance out of museums and directly into the daily lives of passersby, prompting reflection through subtle encounters with history.
Wiesbaden, a city with a rich Jewish heritage, has actively participated in the Stolpersteine project since 2008. As of mid-2025, over 650 stones have been installed throughout its neighborhoods, each one a testament to an individual life and a collective commitment to remembrance (Stolpersteine Wiesbaden Guide; Wiesbaden lebt!; Jewiki: Liste der Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden).
This guide provides comprehensive information for visiting the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim, including its historical context, cultural significance, practical visitor details, and ways to engage meaningfully with Wiesbaden’s living memory.
Table of Contents
- What Are Stolpersteine?
- Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: History and Scope
- Marie Oppenheim: The Individual Behind the Stone
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim
- Making Your Visit Meaningful
- Digital Resources and Further Learning
- Nearby Attractions and Related Memorials
- FAQ
- Summary and Recommendations
- References and External Links
What Are Stolpersteine?
Stolpersteine are Europe’s largest decentralized memorial, initiated by Gunter Demnig in the 1990s. Each 10 x 10 cm brass plaque is embedded in the pavement outside the last freely chosen residence of a victim of Nazi persecution. The inscription typically includes the individual’s name, date of birth, fate, and, if known, date and place of deportation or murder (NPR; Folklife Magazine).
This approach personalizes remembrance, transforming abstract numbers into individual stories encountered in everyday life. By literally “stumbling” upon these stones, passersby are reminded of the lives once lived in their neighborhoods (Stolpersteine.eu).
Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: History and Scope
Wiesbaden’s engagement with the Stolpersteine project began in 2008, coordinated by the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse für Deutsch-Jüdische Geschichte in Wiesbaden e.V. and supported by the city. As of June 2025, over 650 Stolpersteine have been laid across Wiesbaden, commemorating Jewish citizens, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, and others persecuted by the Nazis (Wiesbaden lebt!; Jewiki: Liste der Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden).
Each stone is a product of community involvement—research, sponsorship, and ongoing care—making the memorial both a local and collective act of remembrance.
Marie Oppenheim: The Individual Behind the Stone
Marie Oppenheim was one of many Jewish residents of Wiesbaden who faced persecution during the Nazi era. While detailed public records about her life may be limited, her Stolperstein ensures her name and story are not forgotten. Like other stones, it is inscribed with her personal details and placed at her last known address, reconnecting her memory to the city’s streets and its living history.
Visiting the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim
Location and Accessibility
The Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim is embedded in the pavement at her last freely chosen residence in Wiesbaden. The precise address can be found using the Wikipedia list of Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden, the Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app, or by inquiring at the Wiesbaden Tourist Information office.
Wiesbaden’s Stolpersteine are scattered across the city, often forming natural walking routes through historic neighborhoods like the Westend and the city center. The stones are flush with the sidewalk and generally accessible to all, though some locations may have uneven surfaces.
Public transportation links most districts conveniently, and the main train station (Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof) is a good starting point for walking tours.
Visiting Hours and Tickets
Stolpersteine are outdoor memorials accessible 24/7, free of charge. There are no tickets or permits required to visit them.
If you wish to deepen your understanding through a guided experience, check with the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse or the local tourism office for scheduled tours, which may require advance booking and a modest fee.
Guided Tours and Educational Programs
Guided Stolpersteine walks are offered regularly by museums, local Jewish organizations, and historical societies. These tours provide in-depth context, personal stories, and connections between different stones. Tours are typically available in German, with occasional offerings in English (Wiesbaden lebt!; Wissensrouten: Sprechende Stolpersteine).
Making Your Visit Meaningful
Visiting the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim is a contemplative act. Here are ways to honor her memory and engage respectfully:
- Pause and Reflect: Take a moment of silence at the stone, read the inscription, and consider the life it represents.
- Acts of Remembrance: It is customary to clean Stolpersteine with a soft cloth or leave a small stone or flower, following Jewish mourning traditions.
- Photography: Permitted for personal use, but please be discreet and respectful of residents.
- Commemorative Events: Join public cleaning days or remembrance ceremonies, often organized around key dates like Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January) and the anniversary of Kristallnacht (9 November).
- Support: Consider sponsoring a Stolperstein or supporting local remembrance initiatives (Jewiki: Stolpersteinpatenschaft).
Digital Resources and Further Learning
- Stolpersteine Wiesbaden App: Offers interactive maps, biographies, and accessibility information for each Stolperstein (Stolpersteine Guide app).
- Local Museum Resources: The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse provides exhibitions and digital archives on Wiesbaden’s Jewish history.
- Online Biographies: Many stones have detailed biographies and historical documents accessible via Jewiki and local archives.
Nearby Attractions and Related Memorials
Enhance your visit by exploring additional sites of historical and cultural interest in Wiesbaden:
- Museum Wiesbaden: Offers exhibitions on local history and the Jewish community.
- Kurhaus Wiesbaden: Iconic spa and event center.
- Jewish Cemetery and Former Synagogue Sites: Further connect with Wiesbaden’s Jewish heritage.
- Gedenkstätte am Michelsberg: Memorial to Wiesbaden’s deported and murdered Jews.
FAQ
Q: Where is the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim located?
A: At her last known address in Wiesbaden; precise location available via the Wikipedia list or the Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app.
Q: What are the visiting hours?
A: The Stolperstein is outdoors and accessible at any time, year-round.
Q: Is there a fee or ticket required?
A: No, visiting is free. Guided tours or museum visits may have a fee.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, check with the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse or the tourism office for schedules.
Q: How can I participate in commemorative events?
A: Events are often listed on Wiesbaden lebt! and local news.
Q: Are Stolpersteine accessible to those with limited mobility?
A: Most are, but some sidewalks may be uneven. The app provides accessibility information.
Summary and Recommendations
The Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim in Wiesbaden exemplifies the enduring power of individual memory. As part of a citywide network of over 650 stones, it honors not just one life, but the broader Jewish community and all victims of Nazi persecution. Visitors are welcome at any time, and can deepen their engagement through guided tours, museum visits, and participation in acts of remembrance such as cleaning or leaving small tokens.
To make your visit most meaningful:
- Use the Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app for navigation and information.
- Attend a guided tour for historical context.
- Join community commemorative events or support ongoing projects.
- Explore related historical sites in Wiesbaden to gain a fuller understanding of the city’s Jewish heritage.
Through these efforts, visitors help ensure that the stories embodied by the Stolpersteine—and the lives they honor—remain visible for future generations (Stolpersteine Wiesbaden Guide; Wiesbaden lebt!; Jewiki: Liste der Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden).
References and External Links
- Stolpersteine Wiesbaden: A Guide to Visiting the Memorial Stones and Exploring Local History, 2025, Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse für Deutsch-Jüdische Geschichte in Wiesbaden e.V. (Stolpersteine Wiesbaden Guide)
- Visiting the Stolperstein Memorials in Wiesbaden: History, Significance, and Visitor Information, 2025 (Folklife Magazine)
- Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim in Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Location & Historical Significance, 2025, Wiesbaden lebt! (Wiesbaden lebt!)
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Marie Oppenheim in Wiesbaden: Hours, Tours, and Historical Insights, 2025, Jewiki (Jewiki: Liste der Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden)
