Each Stolperstein is a concrete block, about 10 by 10 by 10 centimetres, with a brass plate on top. Outdoors, brass tarnishes: it turns brown and then dark. This article describes the stone and what you can do about the colour.
The brass plate
The stones are a project of the German artist Gunter Demnig, who had the idea in 1992. The text is stamped into the brass by hand, letter by letter. Since 2005 the stones have been made by hand by the sculptor Michael Friedrichs-Friedlaender in Berlin.
The inscription usually begins with "HIER WOHNTE" in German, "HIER WOONDE" in Dutch or "ICI HABITAIT" in French. These words mean "here lived". Variants exist, such as "here worked", "here studied" and "here practised".
In places where very many people were victims, there is sometimes a Stolperschwelle, a long brass strip with one text for the whole group.
Why the brass turns dark
Outdoors, brass turns brown and then dark. The stones lie outdoors in the pavement, so the weather affects them. In busy streets, the shoes of passers-by polish the stones. In other places, the stones need cleaning.
How to clean a Stolperstein
Anyone may clean a Stolperstein. 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. An old toothbrush helps with the letters. Rinse or wipe away any residue with water.
For heavy dirt, use an all-purpose cleaner and a scouring sponge first. Use vinegar for limescale. Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or harsh acids, because they scratch the brass. A kneeling pad helps. Stones should be cleaned at least once a year, and more often if possible.
Common days for cleaning are 27 January (International Holocaust Remembrance Day), 4 May (Remembrance of the Dead in the Netherlands) and 9 November (anniversary of the November pogroms of 1938, widely used in Germany). More on cleaning is on our cleaning page. To find a stone near you, search the map by name, street or city.
Read on
A Stolperstein is damaged, stolen or gone: what to do
If a Stolperstein is damaged, stolen or removed, tell the local Stolpersteine group or the municipality. Here is how to clean a dirty stone.
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.
