Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Rosa Hobbach geb. Cahn in Wiesbaden, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Rosa Hobbach Geb. Cahn

Visiting the Stolperstein for Rosa Hobbach in Wiesbaden, Germany: Tickets, Hours, and Tips

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Rosa Hobbach (née Cahn) in Wiesbaden, Germany, provides a unique and deeply personal connection to the history of Nazi persecution and its impact on individual lives. Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks throughout Europe, each commemorating a victim of the Nazi regime at their last freely chosen residence, workplace, or school. This decentralized memorial project, initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, is now the world’s largest commemorative initiative of its kind, with over 100,000 stones installed across numerous cities, including Wiesbaden (stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

Wiesbaden actively participates in this remembrance project, with hundreds of Stolpersteine installed throughout the city. Among them is the stone for Rosa Hobbach, whose story exemplifies personal tragedy amid the broader context of the Holocaust. Born in 1895, Rosa lived, worked, and suffered under escalating persecution, leading to her arrest and deportation (am-spiegelgasse.de). Visiting her Stolperstein allows you to stand where she lived, reflect on her life, and engage with Wiesbaden’s Jewish heritage.

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the Stolpersteine project, Rosa Hobbach’s life, and essential visitor information, including location details, accessibility, and nearby attractions. Whether you are planning a self-guided tour or joining a guided walk with the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse, this article will help you make the most of your visit in a respectful and meaningful way (Germany.info; Folklife Magazine).

Background: The Stolpersteine Project
Significance and Symbolism
Wiesbaden’s Stolpersteine: Locations and Local Context
The Story of Rosa Hobbach (née Cahn)
Visiting Rosa Hobbach’s Stolperstein: Practical Information
Tours, Apps, and Community Engagement
Nearby Attractions and Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion and Further Reading

Background: The Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project was founded by Gunter Demnig in 1992 as a decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi persecution. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm concrete cube topped with a brass plate, inscribed with the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and (if known) date and place of death. Stones are installed at the person’s last freely chosen address, embedding remembrance into the fabric of daily life (stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

Originally conceived to honor Jewish victims, the project now commemorates all who suffered under the Nazis, including Sinti and Roma, political prisoners, people with disabilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Stolpersteine are now found in over 1,100 towns and cities in 17 European countries, making it the largest decentralized Holocaust memorial in the world (Germany.info).

Significance and Symbolism

The Stolpersteine project is rich in symbolism. The term “stumbling stone” alludes both to the act of literally stumbling across the stones and to their role as “stumbling blocks” in public consciousness, prompting reflection and remembrance. The custom of bending down to read the inscription is a gesture of respect and personal engagement with history (Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

Importantly, the placement of Stolpersteine in pavements reclaims a painful history: during the Nazi era, Jewish gravestones were sometimes desecrated and used as paving stones. Stolpersteine invert this act, restoring dignity and visibility to the names and stories of victims (Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

The project’s inclusivity is exemplified by the practice of memorializing entire families at their shared addresses, honoring survivors, children sent to safety, and those who died by suicide under persecution (stolpersteine.eu).

Wiesbaden’s Stolpersteine: Locations and Local Context

Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, has been part of the Stolpersteine project since 2005. As of 2021, 694 Stolpersteine had been installed in front of 306 houses, with more added annually (am-spiegelgasse.de). The stones mark sites connected to residents who were deported, murdered, or persecuted under Nazi rule, many of whom were deeply integrated into the city’s life.

The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse für Deutsch-Jüdische Geschichte coordinates the project locally, providing maps, educational materials, and guided tours. Community members, schools, and organizations often sponsor stones, and public ceremonies are held when new stones are installed.

The Story of Rosa Hobbach (née Cahn)

Rosa Hobbach, born June 22, 1895, in Gehaus, Kreis Eisenach, moved to Wiesbaden as a child and attended the Lyzeum at Schlossplatz. She was raised in a cosmopolitan family, traveling abroad and receiving a well-rounded education (am-spiegelgasse.de PDF).

Rosa inherited a house at Adelheidstraße 103 and married Fritz Hobbach, a non-Jewish musician, in 1923. They had two sons, Richard and Max. Known for her kindness and generosity, Rosa’s life changed dramatically with the rise of the Nazi regime. The Nuremberg Laws forced her to withdraw from public life; her husband lost his job due to their marriage, and by 1938, he was barred from working as a musician.

Fritz eventually left for occupied France to support the family, leaving Rosa without the protection of a “privileged mixed marriage.” In March 1943, Rosa was arrested and taken to the Wiesbaden police prison. Her fate, like so many others commemorated by Stolpersteine, is a stark reminder of the personal cost of Nazi policies (am-spiegelgasse.de PDF).

Visiting Rosa Hobbach’s Stolperstein: Practical Information

Location

Address: The Stolperstein for Rosa Hobbach is embedded in the sidewalk outside her former residence at Adelheidstraße 103, Wiesbaden (Mapcarta).

Access and Hours

Open Access: Stolpersteine are public memorials accessible at any time. There are no tickets or opening hours.
Best Times: Visit during daylight for safety and visibility. Early mornings and late afternoons offer a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.
Getting There: Wiesbaden is easily reached by train, bus, or car from Frankfurt and other cities. The site is in a pedestrian-friendly area; limited street parking is available.

Accessibility

The Stolperstein is set flush with the pavement, making it accessible to wheelchair users, strollers, and visitors with mobility needs.

Etiquette

Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to read the inscription and reflect.
Cleaning: On Holocaust Remembrance Day or Kristallnacht, it is customary to clean the stones—bring a soft cloth if you wish to participate (Prague Views).
Commemoration: Place a small stone or flower beside the plaque as a sign of remembrance.

Photography

Discreet photography is permitted for personal use, but please respect the residential setting and the solemn nature of the memorial.

Tours, Apps, and Community Engagement

Guided Tours: The Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse offers guided Stolpersteine tours. Check their website or contact them in advance for schedules (am-spiegelgasse.de).
Stolpersteine Wiesbaden App: Download the app for interactive maps, biographies, and audio guides in multiple languages.
Community Events: Attend ceremonies or cleaning events, especially on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Kristallnacht (November 9).

Nearby Attractions and Additional Resources

Schlossplatz: Historic city square near the old town.
Wiesbaden Museum: Offers exhibitions on local history and culture.
Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse: Dedicated to German-Jewish history in Wiesbaden.
Jewish Museum: Provides further context about the Jewish community in the region.
Nerobergbahn: A historic funicular railway with panoramic city views.

For more information, visit Wiesbaden’s official Stolpersteine page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rosa Hobbach’s Stolperstein?
It is located at Adelheidstraße 103, Wiesbaden.

Do I need a ticket?
No, Stolpersteine are free and accessible to the public at all times.

Are there guided tours?
Yes, the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse and other organizations offer guided tours by appointment.

Is the site accessible?
Yes, it is set flush with the sidewalk and is wheelchair accessible.

Can I take photos?
Yes, but please be respectful.

Conclusion and Further Reading

The Stolperstein for Rosa Hobbach embodies the commitment to remembrance and personalizes the impact of the Holocaust within the everyday streets of Wiesbaden. By visiting, reflecting, and participating in local remembrance, you help ensure these stories are not forgotten.

To deepen your visit, explore the Stolpersteine Wiesbaden app, join a guided tour, or attend commemorative events. For further reading and resources, see the links below.