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Holocaust Memorial (Shadow of former Synagogue)

A solemn tribute to Wiesbaden's Jewish citizens murdered during the Holocaust, marking the site of the former synagogue and promoting remembrance and reflection.

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The Holocaust Memorial in Wiesbaden stands as a poignant reminder of the city's Jewish citizens who perished during the Nazi era. Located on Michelsberg, at Coulinstraße 2, it marks the site where Wiesbaden's grand synagogue once stood before its destruction in 1938. The memorial features a large grey wall bearing the names of over 1,500 murdered Jewish residents, ensuring they are not forgotten. Dark paving stones outline the synagogue's original footprint, while historical photos and biographical information offer deeper insights. The design thoughtfully integrates into the urban landscape, inviting reflection on the past and promoting remembrance. It serves as a place for contemplation and education, honoring the victims and fostering a commitment to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again. The memorial is open to the public at all times, free of charge, and is easily accessible by foot or public transport.

A brief summary to Holocaust Memorial (Shadow of former Synagogue)

Local tips

  • Take time to read the names on the memorial wall and reflect on the individual lives lost during the Holocaust.
  • Visit the memorial on January 27th, the national day of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi regime, for special commemorative events.
  • Explore the surrounding area of Michelsberg, noting the integration of the memorial into the urban landscape and the historical significance of the site.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Wiesbaden's city center, such as Luisenplatz, the Holocaust Memorial is approximately a 10-15 minute walk. Head north, generally following Webergasse, and then turn left onto Coulinstraße. The memorial will be on your right, marked by a large grey wall. Look for the dark paving stones outlining the former synagogue. The walk is straightforward and well-signposted.

  • Public Transport

    The closest bus stops are 'Kirchgasse' and 'Michelsberg'. Several bus lines serve these stops. From Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take bus line 1, 4, 47 or N7 to 'Kirchgasse' or 'Michelsberg'. From either stop, it's a short walk to Coulinstraße 2. A single ticket within Wiesbaden (fare zone 6500) costs €3.70 for adults and €2.15 for children (6-14 years). A short-distance ticket, valid for up to three stops, costs €2.20 for adults and €1.30 for children.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof to the Holocaust Memorial will take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay around €10-€15. Provide the driver with the address: Coulinstraße 2, 65183 Wiesbaden.

  • Driving

    If driving, enter Coulinstraße 2, 65183 Wiesbaden into your GPS. Parking is available at Parkhaus Coulinstraße, located at Coulinstraße 5, a short walk from the memorial. Parking fees at Parkhaus Coulinstraße are approximately €2.50 per hour. Other nearby parking options include City-Parkhaus II on Schwalbacher Str. 38-42.

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The Holocaust Memorial in Wiesbaden serves as a solemn and powerful tribute to the Jewish citizens of Wiesbaden who were murdered during the Holocaust. Situated on Michelsberg, specifically at Coulinstraße 2, the memorial occupies the very ground where the city's magnificent synagogue once stood, a building that was central to the Jewish community before its tragic destruction during Kristallnacht in November 1938. The memorial's design is both striking and sensitive. A dominant feature is a large, grey wall that lists the names of over 1,500 Jewish residents of Wiesbaden who were victims of the Nazi regime. This serves as a crucial act of remembrance, ensuring that each individual is recognized and not forgotten. As the designer Barbara Willecke stated, it provides a place where their names are clearly visible and permanent, for those who do not even have a grave. Embedded within the surrounding footpaths and street are dark paving stones that trace the outline of the former synagogue. This subtle yet effective design element allows visitors to visualize the scale and significance of the building that once stood there. Historical photographs and biographical information are also incorporated into the memorial, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the lives and stories of those who were lost. The location itself carries immense historical weight. The synagogue, designed by architect Philipp Hoffmann in 1869, was a symbol of the vibrant and liberal Jewish community in Wiesbaden. Its destruction marked a devastating turning point, and the memorial's presence on this site serves as a constant reminder of the consequences of hatred and intolerance. In 2006, the city council decided to hold an urban planning ideas competition to redesign the area around the former Heinrich Heine site on Michelsberg. Its primary aim was to create a dignified place to commemorate all the Jewish citizens of Wiesbaden who were murdered during the National Socialist dictatorship. Until then, there had only been an uninspiring memorial ensemble consisting of a pillar and three plaques commemorating the main synagogue of the Wiesbaden Jewish community, which was attacked, desecrated and set on fire by the brown barbarians on November 10, 1938. The memorial was designed by the Berlin landscape architect Barbara Willeke and realized by the Wiesbaden Urban Development Corporation at the exact spot where the magnificent synagogue, built by Philipp Hoffmann in 1869 in Moorish architectural style, once stood as the center of the liberal Jewish community, visible from afar. For some time now, it has been impressively commemorated by a virtual reconstruction created by a working group at the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences under the direction of Edgar Brück. All 1,507 names of the Jewish victims of Nazi racial madness from Wiesbaden that have been identified so far are collected on a volume of names illuminated at night. Their dates of birth and - where ascertainable - their dates of death are also recorded there. According to Jewish custom, it is a religious duty to remember the deceased by preserving their names. "Only those whose names are forgotten are truly dead," says an old proverb. As the Jewish people murdered during those terrible years were almost never given a grave of their own and there was therefore no place where their relatives could go to remember them, this building once again takes on a very special significance. A touchscreen makes it possible to call up further information on the fate of those murdered and the history of the memorial. On January 27, 2011, the national and international day of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi regime, the memorial was gracefully handed over to the citizens of Wiesbaden by representatives of the municipal authorities. In the same year, it was awarded the Architecture Prize of the State of Hesse. Visiting the Holocaust Memorial is a deeply moving experience. The site encourages quiet contemplation and reflection on the events of the past. It also serves as an important educational resource, particularly for younger generations, fostering a greater understanding of the Holocaust and the importance of combating prejudice and discrimination. The memorial is open to the public at all times and there is no admission fee. Its central location makes it easily accessible by foot or public transportation. It stands as a testament to the city's commitment to remembrance and reconciliation, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.

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