
Stolperstein Nora Goldstein Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
The Stolperstein dedicated to Nora Goldstein in Wiesbaden, Germany, offers a profound and personal way to engage with the memory of Holocaust victims. Stolpersteine—“stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks, each marking the last freely chosen residence of an individual persecuted by the Nazis. Initiated in 1992 by artist Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine project has become the world’s largest decentralized memorial, with more than 116,000 stones across Europe, including over 780 in Wiesbaden (stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia).
Among these is the Stolperstein for Nora Goldstein and her mother Cäcilie at Adelheidstraße 72. This memorial stands as a testament to Wiesbaden’s once-thriving Jewish community and the individuals who suffered under Nazi persecution. The Stolpersteine invite reflection on personal stories within the wider scope of Wiesbaden’s Jewish heritage and the Holocaust (tracesofwar.com; am-spiegelgasse.de).
Accessible at all times and free of charge, the Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden are woven into the city’s daily life. Visitors can enrich their experience through guided tours from local organizations or by using digital resources like the Stolpersteine-App (wiesbaden-lebt.de; stolpersteine-guide.de).
This guide covers the history and significance of the Stolperstein memorials in Wiesbaden, with a focus on Nora Goldstein’s stone. It includes practical information for visitors—such as hours, accessibility, and nearby attractions—so you can plan a respectful and meaningful visit (The Holocaust Explained; USHMM Holocaust Diaries).
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Origins of the Stolpersteine Project
- Artistic and Memorial Purpose
- Expansion and Scale
- Symbolism and Cultural Significance
- Criteria for Commemoration
- Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden
- Visitor Information: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Tours
- The Stolperstein Dedicated to Nora Goldstein
- Exploring Wiesbaden’s Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Memorials
- Visiting Adelheidstraße 72: The Memorial of Nora Goldstein
- Summary and Staying Connected
- References and Further Reading
Origins of the Stolpersteine Project
Conceived by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project grew from a need to counter the fading memory of Nazi victims. It began with a single stone in Cologne, commemorating the Sinti and Roma deported during the Holocaust. The project soon expanded to include all groups persecuted by the Nazis—Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and people with disabilities (stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia).
Artistic and Memorial Purpose
Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm concrete block with a brass plate inscribed with the victim’s name, birth year, fate, and, if known, date and place of death. Installed flush with city sidewalks at the victim’s last freely chosen address, the stones encourage passersby to “stumble upon” history—both literally and figuratively (Wikipedia; Folklife Magazine).
Unlike centralized memorials, Stolpersteine are decentralized, making remembrance a personal, everyday experience.
Expansion and Scale
Today, Stolpersteine form the largest decentralized memorial in the world, with installations in over 1,860 municipalities across 31 countries. In 2024 alone, nearly 6,000 new stones were added, with Gunter Demnig personally overseeing many installations (stolpersteine.eu).
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
The word “Stolperstein” reclaims a former antisemitic phrase, transforming it into a symbol of remembrance. The stones’ placement in public spaces evokes the desecration of Jewish gravestones during the Nazi era while affirming the victims’ right to public memory. Their continual exposure to daily life reinforces the community’s responsibility to remember (Wikipedia).
Criteria for Commemoration
Stolpersteine honor all Nazi victims, including those who survived or fled. Each is typically sponsored for €120, often by individuals, families, or organizations, who may also commit to ongoing care (Folklife Magazine).
Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden features 784 Stolpersteine in front of 427 houses (am-spiegelgasse.de). The city collaborates with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mahnmal Spiegelgasse (AMS) for research and installations. Digital guides, such as the Stolpersteine-App developed by Campus Klarenthal students, offer interactive tours and detailed information (wiesbaden-lebt.de).
Visitor Information: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Tours
- Visiting Hours: Stolpersteine are accessible 24/7, with no entry fees or tickets required.
- Guided Tours: Local organizations and museums offer guided tours. Check schedules via tourism websites or AMS.
- Digital Guides: The Stolpersteine-App provides interactive maps, audio tours, and in-depth historical context.
- Accessibility: Most stones are on public sidewalks, accessible by foot and public transportation. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Nearby Attractions: Wiesbaden Synagogue, Nerobergbahn, Museum Wiesbaden, and the Jewish Museum.
- Community Events: Annual cleaning and remembrance events keep the stones visible and foster communal memory.
The Stolperstein Dedicated to Nora Goldstein
The Stolperstein honoring Nora Goldstein at Adelheidstraße 72 encapsulates the memorial’s intention—to restore identity to individuals whose lives were forever altered. The stone stands as a silent witness to the personal tragedies of the Holocaust, inviting all who pass to remember (tracesofwar.com).
Exploring Wiesbaden’s Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Memorials
Jewish Life in Wiesbaden Before the Holocaust
Wiesbaden’s Jewish community was vibrant and deeply integrated into local society prior to World War II. By the 1930s, Jews contributed substantially across professions, business, and culture. The Jewish population in Germany stood at around 565,000 in 1933, with Wiesbaden’s community numbering in the thousands (The Holocaust Explained).
The Impact of the Nazi Regime
Nazi rule from 1933 devastated Wiesbaden’s Jewish community. Antisemitic laws, the 1935 Nuremberg Laws, and state-sponsored violence stripped Jewish residents of their rights, livelihoods, and—ultimately—lives. Businesses were expropriated, children excluded from schools, and families forced into exile or deportation (USHMM Holocaust Diaries).
Key Heritage Sites and Visitor Tips
- Wiesbaden Synagogue Memorial: The original synagogue was destroyed during Kristallnacht; the site now holds memorial plaques.
- Jewish Museum Wiesbaden: Offers exhibitions on Jewish history and the Holocaust.
- Jewish Cemetery: A testament to centuries of Jewish life in Wiesbaden.
Visiting Hours: Most sites are free to visit and open during daylight hours; guided tours can be reserved via the tourism office.
Accessibility: Most heritage sites are accessible; check for any specific access needs when planning your visit.
Visiting Adelheidstraße 72: The Memorial of Nora Goldstein
Site Details
- Location: Adelheidstraße 72, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Access: The Stolpersteine are embedded in the sidewalk, accessible at all times, and free to visit.
- Guided Tours: Available through local organizations; no ticket required for the memorial itself.
- Accessibility: The site is wheelchair accessible.
Nearby Attractions
- Jewish Museum Wiesbaden: Explore regional Jewish history (Jewish Museum Wiesbaden).
- Other Stolpersteine: Scattered across the city, each with its own story.
Travel Tips
- Combine your visit with a walk through Wiesbaden’s historic center.
- Check for local remembrance events or guided walks.
- Be respectful when visiting; photography is allowed but please observe the solemnity of the site.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is there an admission fee to visit the Adelheidstraße 72 memorial?
A: No, these public memorials are freely accessible.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, several organizations offer guided tours of Wiesbaden’s Jewish heritage.
Q: Can I visit the site year-round?
A: Yes, the Stolpersteine are accessible at any time.
Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, as it is on a public sidewalk.
Summary and Staying Connected
Visiting the Stolperstein for Nora Goldstein in Wiesbaden honors not just one life but the entire Jewish community devastated by Nazi persecution. These memorials turn public spaces into places of reflection and ensure the victims’ stories remain part of the city’s living memory (stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia).
Guided tours, digital apps, and community events enrich the visitor experience, connecting individual histories to the broader narrative of the Holocaust in Wiesbaden. Complement your visit with stops at the Jewish Museum, Synagogue memorial, and participate in remembrance events. Stay updated on tours and new memorials by downloading the Audiala app and following Wiesbaden’s museums and historical organizations (wiesbaden-lebt.de; tracesofwar.com; Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse; Jewish Museum Wiesbaden; Wiesbaden Tourism Official Site).
References and Further Reading
- Stolpersteine.eu, 2024, Gunter Demnig
- Wikipedia, Stolperstein, 2024
- TracesOfWar.com, Stumbling Stone Alwinenstraße 25, 2024
- Am-Spiegelgasse.de, Stolpersteine Wiesbaden, 2024
- Wiesbaden-lebt.de, Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden, 2024
- The Holocaust Explained, Pre-War Jewish Life, 2024
- USHMM Holocaust Diaries, 2024
- Stolpersteine-Guide.de, Wiesbaden Stolpersteine, 2024
- Jewish Museum Wiesbaden, 2024
- Wiesbaden.de, Tourism Official Site, 2024
Image suggestions:
- Stolpersteine memorial stones at Adelheidstraße 72, Wiesbaden (Alt text: “Stolpersteine memorial stones at Adelheidstraße 72 Wiesbaden honoring Nora Goldstein”)
- Map of Wiesbaden highlighting Adelheidstraße 72 and nearby Jewish heritage sites