Stolperstein Dedicated To Recha Schott

Visiting the Stolperstein Dedicated to Recha Schott in Wiesbaden, Germany: A Comprehensive Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project offers a deeply personal and decentralized form of Holocaust remembrance across Europe. In Wiesbaden, Germany, these small brass plaques embedded in city sidewalks commemorate the lives of local victims of Nazi persecution, integrating memory into daily urban life. Among them is the Stolperstein dedicated to Recha Schott, a poignant testament to the enduring impact of the Holocaust on Wiesbaden’s Jewish community. This guide provides a detailed overview of the project’s origins, the local context, Recha Schott’s story, practical visitor information, and the ongoing debates surrounding this unique memorial initiative (Stolpersteine.eu; UCL Press).

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project
Expansion and Scope
Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden
- Recha Schott: Life and Memorial
- Community Engagement
Significance and Debates
Visiting Information
Educational Resources and Digital Enhancements
Controversies and Community Dialogue
FAQs
Summary and Recommendations
Sources and Further Reading

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project

Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project is the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm concrete block topped with a brass plate, inscribed with the name, date of birth, fate, and (when known) date and place of death of a victim of Nazi persecution. These stones are installed in front of the last freely chosen residences or workplaces of victims, inviting passersby to “stumble” upon and remember individual lives disrupted or destroyed by the Holocaust (Stolpersteine.eu; UCL Press).

The project’s minimalist, decentralized approach stands in contrast to traditional, monumental memorials, embedding memory into everyday life and democratizing remembrance.

Expansion and Scope

As of 2025, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in over 1,800 towns and cities across 28 European countries (Stolpersteine.eu). The stones commemorate a diverse group of victims—including Jews, Roma and Sinti, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, political prisoners, and others persecuted by the Nazi regime.

Installation is a collaborative process, often involving local historians, school groups, civic organizations, and relatives. The act of researching, sponsoring, and laying a Stolperstein is as important as the stone itself, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for remembrance (UCL Press).

Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, began participating in the Stolpersteine project in the early 2000s. As of April 2021, 694 Stolpersteine have been installed at 306 locations throughout the city and its suburbs (am-spiegelgasse.de). The project is supported by the city, local museums, schools, and political organizations, with a strong emphasis on community participation and education (Frankfurter Rundschau).

Recha Schott: Life and Memorial

Recha Schott was a Jewish resident of Wiesbaden who, like so many others, became a victim of Nazi persecution. Archival research reveals that she was deported in June 1942 and did not survive the Holocaust. Her extended family also suffered: her nephew Hans Siegfried escaped to England via Kindertransport, nieces Lotte and Grete emigrated to the US, and her sister-in-law Else Schott was deported and murdered in Auschwitz in 1944 (Wiesbadener Kurier, 2014).

The Stolperstein for Recha Schott is placed at her last voluntary residence, restoring her name and story to the city’s collective memory. The process of memorializing her was a community effort involving research, advocacy, and ceremony (Stolpersteine.eu).

Community Engagement

The Stolpersteine project in Wiesbaden is marked by strong involvement from schools, historical societies, and local residents. Sponsorships are open to individuals and organizations, and the city hosts regular ceremonies, cleaning events, and educational programs. School groups have been instrumental in researching biographies and developing educational resources, such as the Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app (Wiesbaden-lebt.de).

Significance and Debates

Stolpersteine serve as “counter-monuments”—small, decentralized, and personal rather than grand and imposing. Their placement in everyday environments invites ongoing engagement and reflection, ensuring that the victims’ stories remain present in the urban landscape (UCL Press; Germany.info).

However, the project has sparked debates, particularly over the dignity of ground-level placement and the risk of the stones being overlooked or disrespected. While some cities, like Munich, have banned Stolpersteine on public property, others—including Wiesbaden—embrace their role as accessible, living memorials (Euronews; Leo Baeck Institute).

Visiting Information

Locations and Access

Stolpersteine are distributed throughout Wiesbaden, primarily in front of the last residences of victims. The Stolperstein for Recha Schott can be found at her last voluntary address (for the most current address and coordinates, please refer to the Stolpersteine app or Jewiki.net). All Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden are accessible 24/7, free of charge, and do not require tickets or reservations.

Guided Tours and Digital Tools

Wiesbaden offers guided walking tours focusing on Holocaust history and Stolpersteine, often organized by the Aktive Museum Spiegelgasse and other local organizations (Aktive Museum Spiegelgasse). The Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app provides interactive maps, detailed biographies, and multimedia content to enhance self-guided visits and is available for both iOS and Android (Wiesbaden-lebt.de).

Accessibility and Travel Tips

Physical Accessibility: Most Stolpersteine are installed in pedestrian-friendly areas and sidewalks, generally accessible to those with mobility challenges, though some old streets may be uneven.
Public Transportation: Wiesbaden’s city center is well connected by bus and tram. Plan your route in advance using the app for optimal accessibility.
Travel Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and consider visiting during daylight hours for better visibility.

Nearby Historical Sites

Enhance your Stolpersteine visit by exploring Wiesbaden’s other sites of remembrance and Jewish heritage:

Aktive Museum Spiegelgasse: Focused on German-Jewish history and the city’s memory culture.
Jewish Museum Wiesbaden: Offers deeper insights into Jewish life before and after the Holocaust.
New Synagogue Wiesbaden: A symbol of the city’s Jewish cultural revival.
Kurhaus and Old Town: Historic venues providing broader context for the city’s social fabric.

Educational Resources and Digital Enhancements

Stolpersteine Wiesbaden App: Interactive maps, biographies, images, and archival material to guide your visit.
Augmented Reality (AR): Some sites feature AR experiences with survivor testimonies and historical media.
Collaborative Platforms: Teachers and students can use Google Classroom or Drive to collect information and create digital projects.
Social Media: Share your visit using local hashtags and connect with remembrance organizations.

Controversies and Community Dialogue

While the project is widely supported, some Jewish communities and city officials in Europe have criticized the ground-level placement of Stolpersteine, citing concerns about dignity and visibility (Leo Baeck Institute). In contrast, supporters argue that the act of bowing to read a name is a gesture of respect, and that embedding memory in daily life sustains ongoing remembrance (Euronews).

Wiesbaden has addressed these debates by expanding the project to honor all victim groups and by fostering active community maintenance and educational initiatives (Frankfurter Rundschau).

FAQs

Q: Where is the Recha Schott Stolperstein located?
A: At her last freely chosen residence in Wiesbaden (see the Stolpersteine app or Jewiki.net for the precise address).

Q: Do I need tickets to visit?
A: No, all Stolpersteine are free and accessible at any time.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, check with the Aktive Museum Spiegelgasse or Wiesbaden tourism office for schedules.

Q: Is the site accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Most locations are accessible, but some old streets may be uneven.

Q: Can I sponsor a Stolperstein?
A: Yes, individuals and organizations can sponsor new stones and participate in remembrance ceremonies.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Yes, photography is encouraged to promote awareness, but please be respectful.

Summary and Recommendations

The Stolperstein dedicated to Recha Schott is a powerful example of individualized remembrance within Wiesbaden’s broader culture of Holocaust commemoration. As part of the world’s largest decentralized memorial, this small brass plaque invites reflection, education, and civic responsibility. Wiesbaden’s active engagement—with research, guided tours, and digital tools—ensures these memories remain vivid and accessible.

Visitor Tips:

Plan your visit using digital resources such as the Stolpersteine app.
Combine your visit with nearby historical and cultural sites.
Participate in guided tours or remembrance events for deeper insight.
Share your experiences to support ongoing memory work.

By visiting the Stolperstein for Recha Schott and other memorials in Wiesbaden, you contribute to a living culture of remembrance—helping ensure that individual stories are never forgotten (UCL Press; Stolpersteine.eu; Wiesbaden Tourism).