Yes. The project commemorates every group that the Nazis persecuted between 1933 and 1945. That includes people persecuted for political reasons and members of the resistance. Their stones look the same as all others and are laid in the same way. Gunter Demnig, a German artist, started the project in 1992. There are now more than 100,000 Stolpersteine in about 30 European countries.
What the stone says
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. The inscription usually begins with “HIER WOHNTE” in German, “HIER WOONDE” in Dutch or “ICI HABITAIT” in French, which all mean “here lived”. It then gives the name, the year of birth and what happened to the person.
Some stones use other words. Dutch stones can say verzet (resistance), gearresteerd (arrested) or geïnterneerd (interned). French stones can say “arrêté” (arrested) or “interné” (interned). German stones can say “Schutzhaft”, so-called protective custody, which means imprisonment without trial.
Where the stones lie
A stone lies in front of the last home the person chose freely, before they were forced to move, go into hiding or were arrested. Sometimes it lies in front of a workplace or school instead. One stone is laid for one person.
Who requests a stone
Relatives, residents, schools, local foundations and history societies request stones and pay for them. Local volunteers research the person’s life in archives, look for relatives and ask the municipality for permission, because the pavement is public ground. Stones are laid in a small ceremony, where names are read aloud and flowers are often laid.
Finding stones on the map
On the map you can search by name, street or city. Select an address to see who is commemorated there, with a photo when one is available. From an address you can also make a walking route past the stones nearby, as a round trip or one way. Stichting 18 September, a foundation in Eindhoven, keeps the database behind the map. Since 2019 it has kept records of Stolpersteine in the Netherlands and Belgium, and it now also covers stones in other countries. A free app for iPhone and Android is available too.
Search the map for a name, street or city to find stones near you.
Read on
Are there Stolpersteine for Jehovah's Witnesses?
Yes. Jehovah's Witnesses are among the groups persecuted by the Nazis that Stolpersteine commemorate. Here is how to find their stones on the map.
Are there Stolpersteine for men persecuted as homosexuals?
Yes. Stolpersteine commemorate homosexual men persecuted by the Nazis. Here is how the stones look, where they lie and how to find them on the map.
Are there Stolpersteine for Nazi 'euthanasia' murder victims?
Yes. Stolpersteine commemorate victims of the Nazi 'euthanasia' murders of sick and disabled people. Here is how to find their stones on the map.
