Stolperstein Dedicated To Paula Lubasch

Stolperstein Paula Lubasch Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein commemorating Paula Lubasch in Wiesbaden is a moving memorial dedicated to a victim of the Holocaust. Embedded in the pavement at her last freely chosen address, this small brass plaque is part of the Stolpersteine project—one of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial initiatives. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) serve as poignant reminders of individual lives lost to Nazi persecution, integrating personal remembrance into the fabric of everyday life.

Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, has actively participated in this project since 2006, with over 784 Stolpersteine installed across the city as of late 2024. The Paula Lubasch Stolperstein, located in the Dichterviertel neighborhood, exemplifies the city’s commitment to memorializing its former Jewish residents. This guide details the historical context of the Stolpersteine project, the story of Paula Lubasch, visitor information, cultural significance, and practical tips for meaningful engagement.

For more on the Stolpersteine project and the Paula Lubasch memorial, refer to the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse, the Stolpersteine Guide app, and Stolpersteine.eu.

Origins and Development of the Stolpersteine Project
Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: Local Context
The Stolperstein Dedicated to Paula Lubasch
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
Visiting Information: Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
Community Involvement and Installation Process
Controversies and Ongoing Debates
FAQs
Conclusion
Sources and Further Reading

Origins and Development of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine project began in 1992 when Gunter Demnig laid the first stone in Cologne, marking the 50th anniversary of the Auschwitz Decree. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass plaque installed at the last freely chosen residence of a victim of Nazi persecution. The plaques are individually engraved with the name, year of birth, fate, and, if known, date and place of death or deportation (fabriziomusacchio.com; germany.info).

The project’s aim is to make remembrance part of daily life, allowing passersby to “stumble” upon history and reflect on the fates of individuals who once lived in their communities. As of 2025, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in 27 countries, making it the largest decentralized Holocaust memorial in the world (stolpersteine.eu).

Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: Local Context

Wiesbaden joined the Stolpersteine initiative in 2006, coordinated by the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse für Deutsch-Jüdische Geschichte in Wiesbaden e.V. (AMS), in partnership with Gunter Demnig and the city’s authorities (am-spiegelgasse.de). As of December 2024, 784 Stolpersteine have been installed in front of 427 residences in the city and suburbs (wikipedia). The AMS has published extensive research documenting the fates of Wiesbaden’s Holocaust victims, available in the city’s library and online.

The Gedenkstätte am Michelsberg memorial lists over 1,500 murdered Jewish residents from Wiesbaden, emphasizing the scale of loss and the importance of remembrance (am-spiegelgasse.de).

The Stolperstein Dedicated to Paula Lubasch

Paula Lubasch was born in 1925 and lived at Karlstraße 39 in the Dichterviertel district of Wiesbaden. Following the rise of the Nazi regime, her family faced escalating persecution. In 1939, they fled to Belgium, hoping to escape. Tragically, in 1942, Paula and her family were deported from the Mechelen transit camp to Auschwitz, where they were murdered.

Her Stolperstein, like those for other family members at Karlstraße 39, is a permanent reminder of the family’s story. The plaque reads:

Hier wohnte
Paula Lubasch
Jg. 1925
Flucht 1939 Belgien
Deportiert 1942 aus Mechelen
Ermordet in Auschwitz

This Stolperstein restores Paula Lubasch’s identity to public memory, countering the anonymity imposed by Nazi policies (am-spiegelgasse.de; mapcarta.com).

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Stolpersteine personalize Holocaust remembrance by placing markers at the very locations where victims lived or worked. The act of “stumbling” upon these stones is both literal and metaphorical, prompting unexpected reflection and acknowledgment of individual stories amidst daily routines (germany.info).

This decentralized approach transforms faceless statistics into tangible biographies. The presence of multiple stones on a street often leads to questions about complicity or silence among neighbors, challenging communities to confront their own histories (fabriziomusacchio.com).

Stolpersteine also serve as educational tools. Local schools and organizations develop digital apps and resources to help visitors locate stones and learn about the individuals they honor, making history accessible and meaningful for all ages (wiesbaden-lebt.de; Stolpersteine Guide app).

Visiting Information: Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility

Location:
The Stolperstein for Paula Lubasch is at Karlstraße 39, Wiesbaden, in the Dichterviertel district. Use the Stolpersteine Guide app to find exact coordinates and additional context.

Visiting Hours:
Stolpersteine are installed in public sidewalks and can be visited at any time, 24/7. There are no admission fees or ticket requirements.

Accessibility:
The site is wheelchair accessible, as the Stolperstein is embedded in the sidewalk. Visitors should exercise caution due to nearby pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Visitor Etiquette:

Pause, read the inscription, and reflect respectfully.
Avoid standing directly on the stone if possible.
It is customary to leave small stones, flowers, or candles as a mark of respect.

Nearby Attractions:
Combine your visit with stops at the Gedenkstätte am Michelsberg, the Jewish Museum, or other historical sites in Wiesbaden’s center.

Travel Tips:

Wear comfortable shoes.
Use digital maps or the Stolpersteine app for navigation.
Early morning or late afternoon visits offer a quieter experience.

Community Involvement and Installation Process

Each Stolperstein installation is a collaborative effort. Local historians, organizations, and sometimes relatives conduct the necessary research, while individuals or groups often sponsor the stones through a “Patenschaft” (patronage) costing 120 euros in Wiesbaden (am-spiegelgasse.de). The artist Gunter Demnig hand-engraves every plaque, underscoring the project’s emphasis on individual remembrance (fabriziomusacchio.com).

Ceremonies marking new installations are attended by residents, students, and sometimes descendants, reinforcing the communal aspect of remembrance.

Volunteers maintain the Stolpersteine—especially on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Kristallnacht anniversary (November 9)—by cleaning and polishing the brass plaques (Prague Views).

Controversies and Ongoing Debates

While widely embraced, the Stolpersteine project is not without criticism. Some Jewish groups and individuals argue that placing memorials underfoot is disrespectful (Folklife Magazine). Cities like Munich have restricted Stolpersteine to private property for this reason. However, the project’s supporters, including Gunter Demnig, argue that the intent is to honor the victims by integrating remembrance into daily life.

In Wiesbaden, the Stolpersteine are valued as powerful tools of education and remembrance, highlighting the city’s commitment to confronting its past.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where exactly is the Paula Lubasch Stolperstein located?
A: At Karlstraße 39, Wiesbaden. Details are available via the Stolpersteine Guide app.

Q: Are there tickets or admission fees?
A: No, the Stolperstein is in a public space and is freely accessible at all times.

Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, the stone is embedded in the sidewalk and accessible for wheelchair users.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse occasionally offers guided Stolpersteine tours. Check their website for details.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Yes, photography is permitted. Please be respectful and consider sharing information about Paula Lubasch and the Stolpersteine project when posting.

Conclusion

The Stolperstein dedicated to Paula Lubasch in Wiesbaden stands as a powerful reminder of the human stories behind the Holocaust’s immense tragedy. Through these small yet significant memorials, Wiesbaden integrates remembrance into the urban landscape, inviting residents and visitors alike to reflect, remember, and educate. Accessibility, digital resources, and ongoing community involvement ensure these stories endure for future generations.

To deepen your understanding, visit the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse, download the Stolpersteine Guide app, and explore more resources at Stolpersteine.eu.

Image suggestion: A high-quality photo of the Paula Lubasch Stolperstein at Karlstraße 39, with alt text “Paula Lubasch Stolperstein in Wiesbaden, Holocaust memorial brass plaque.”