If a Stolperstein is damaged, stolen or removed, tell the local Stolpersteine group or the municipality. They can put the stone back or replace it. This article explains what you can do next, and when a stone only needs cleaning.
What a stone looks like
A Stolperstein is a concrete block of about 10 by 10 by 10 centimetres, with a brass plate on top. The text is stamped into the brass by hand, letter by letter. This helps you recognise a stone that is damaged or missing.
Since 2019, Stichting 18 September in Eindhoven has kept a database of Stolpersteine in the Netherlands and Belgium, together with local organisations. The website has a map where you can search by name, street or city.
Who to tell
Stones are requested and paid for by private people and local groups, such as relatives, residents, schools, local foundations and history societies. Local volunteers research the life of the person. The municipality gives permission, because the pavement is public ground.
If a stone is damaged, stolen or removed during roadworks, tell the local group or the municipality. Give the address and describe what you see, so that they know which stone it is.
Dirty, dull or discoloured
Brass tarnishes outdoors. It turns brown and then dark. Anyone may clean a stone like this, and no permission is needed. Use a brass or copper polish, such as Brasso, on a soft cloth, not directly on the stone. Rub, let it dry for about a minute, then polish with a clean cloth.
Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or harsh acids. They scratch the brass. More advice is on our cleaning page.
If you step on or over a stone by accident, the project does not regard this as an offence. Most people step around the stones once they notice them.
Why the municipality and the group are involved
Stolpersteine lie in the pavement, which is public ground. That is why the municipality is asked for permission before a stone is laid. Families get stones side by side, so they are together again in front of their home. If one stone is missing, one name is missing from that group.
To research a person further, see the links to archives, including the Joods Monument and the Oorlogsgravenstichting.
To see who is commemorated at an address, search the map by name, street or city.
Read on
What happens to a Stolperstein during roadworks?
A Stolperstein can be taken out during roadworks and must be put back afterwards. If a stone is missing, tell the local group or the municipality.
Who looks after the Stolpersteine in my town?
Local people request and pay for Stolpersteine. Volunteers look for relatives, and the municipality gives permission because the pavement is public ground.
Stolpersteine and 4 May: remembering at the front door
4 May is Remembrance of the Dead in the Netherlands, a common day to clean Stolpersteine. Anyone may clean a stone, and no permission is needed.
