Stolperstein: brass cobblestones around Europe

Lannie — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:34:49 +0000

Although, I can’t remember the first time I read about or saw one of these, I see then all the time now. Since I do frequent Europe, I wondered why I had never seen it before. But every so often, walking around Austria or Germany, I see these brass cobblestones, or stolperstein… built into the ground, in front of a building.

1. What are stolperstein?

The Stolperstein (which means stones to stumble upon) are an art project, by a German artist Gunter Demnig. The project commemorates those displaced and persecuted during WWII. The placement of each brass cobblestone corresponds with the actual place the individual lived, before their forceful removal from their home.

“one victim, one stone”
Demnig’s motto.

However, the stolperstein are not just for those who died. But also, for those who lived. In some cases, stolperstein reunite and commemorate families. In others, it commemorates where people lived and others perished. Much research through the years determined the specifics around the individual and the location. As of February 2019, there are over 70,000 stolperstein spread across 22 countries in Europe.

Stolperschwelle

The exception to the “one victim, one stone” motto, are the Stolperschwelle (or stumbling threshold). These commemorate groups of victims from one place. Examples include, an apartment complex, a factory, or a school, where they all lived.

Stolperschwelle, “Commemorating 57 Jewish women and men and three children who had to live in collective housing and were deported by the Nazis. only two of them survived, representative of the many…” Saul Horowitz, Scheindel Bucker, Klara Horowitz. Found in Vienna, Austria.

Blime Schachter, Genedia Hofling, Rene Hofling, Kurt Hofling.
Stolperschwelle: “Commemorating the 35 Jewish women and men and the 5 children who lived in this house and were deported and murdered by the Nazis”, found in Vienna, Austria

2. Stolperstein in my travels

Since 2017, I’ve taken photos of the stolperstein I’ve come across. There are a few I missed from before, in Nordlingen, Germany. However, I can’t find the photos anymore.

This post will be continuously updated with photos of new stolperstein that I find. Recently updated on April 26, 2020, for new stolperstein found in Oslo, Norway.

Dr. Ernst Langfelder, found in Salzburg, Austria

“To commemorate three Jewish residents” Eliezer Richter, Johanna Schiff, Saly Richter. Found in Vienna, Austria

Here lived Karl Jakob Kohn, deported from France to Auschwitz there murdered in 1944. Found in Vienna, Austria.

Here lived Markus Rosenfeld, Hinda Rosenfeld, Leibisch Atlas, and Hildegard Atlas. Found in Vienna, Austria.

Here lived Alexander Newmann, born 1876. Taken in October 1944, deported to Auschwitz prison in January 1945. Here lived Margit Neumann rod. Schleisinger (I think a maiden name), born 1890. Taken in November 1944, deported first to Sered concentration camp, then Ravensbruck concentration camp in February 1945. Found in Bratislava, Slovakia. (*Rough translation via Google Translate)

Here lived Leopold Rottmann and Sara Rottman. Killed in Auschwitz. Found in Oslo, Norway.

Here lived Benjamin Markus Leventhal, Esther Leventhal, and Berit Leventhal. Killed in Auschwitz. Found in Oslo, Norway.

3. Remembrance

As America becomes more polarized, we need to take a moment to think about the last time our world became so polarized. But more importantly, what became of the many people who suffered in that world. Seeing each stolperstein stops me in my tracks. I take a moment to remember those those lives cut short, either physically or emotionally.

From the stolperstein in these posts, and the many more that I have yet to see, we remember you.

Saul Horowitz
Scheindel Bucker
Klara Horowitz
Eliezer Richter
Johanna Schiff
Saly Richter
Ernst Langfelder
Blime Schachter
Genedia Hofling
Rene Hofling
Kurt Hofling
Karl Jakob Kohn
Markus Rosenfeld
Hinda Rosenfeld
Leibisch Atlas
Hildegard Atlas
Alexander Neumann
Margit Neumann
Leopold Rottmann
Sara Rottmann
Benjamin Markus Leventhal
Esther Leventhal
Berit Leventhal

…and the other men, women, and children displaced and affected by the Holocaust.

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone. She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night! She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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Slovakia – Lannie's Food & Travel

Stolperstein: brass cobblestones around Europe

1. What are stolperstein?

Stolperschwelle

2. Stolperstein in my travels

3. Remembrance