FAQs

Who are the Stolpersteine for?
For everybody persecuted by the Nazis: Jews, homosexuals, Sinti and Roma (gypsies), victims of the Nazis’ “euthanasia” programs, and groups.
What about survivors of the Nazis’ persecution. Do they get Stolpersteine?
Yes. This is because the Stolpersteine document the fates of entire families and groups.
Where are the Stolpersteine placed?
On the sidewalks in front of the buildings in which the victims last lived their normal lives – prior to their becoming victims.
Who applies and donates the money for the Stolpersteine?
The largest group is comprised of the owners and tenants of the buildings in which the victims lived, followed by members of victims’ families and support groups (such as homosexuals).
How much does a Stolperstein cost?
€120. Or $150. That covers the creation and placement of the Stolperstein.
What happens if someone can’t afford that?
No problem. We find the money. There are always many donors who are glad to contribute.
How do I go about commissioning a Stolperstein?
By contacting the organization responsible for your area. There are 1,600 such organizations. We can help you find them. Please fill out the application form and send it to initiative@stolpersteine-muenchen.de The local organization handles the researching of the victim’s life and the ordering and placement of the Stolperstein.

How do you make sure that the Stolperstein’s information is correct?

The local organization takes whatever information is supplied by family members and friends and uses in the researching of the victim’s life and fate. This is often a prolonged and challenging process. Once the information has been found and internally checked, it is then verified by family members and peers – and by the Stolpersteine’s head office in Cologne. They conduct their own painstaking research.

How often are Stolpersteine defaced, damaged or removed? And what happens when this takes place?
To date, according to Gunter Demnig, the artist who created the Stolpersteine, 800 of the 100,000 Stolpersteine have suffered this fate. They were all replaced ASAP – within a few days or weeks.
How often are the Stolpersteine cleaned?
At least once a year and often on November 9th Reichspogromnacht. In Munich, we clean our Stolpersteine 2-3 times a year.
Who decides upon the wording of the Stolpersteine?
Working with organizations of commemoration, Gunter Demnig established guidelines for the wording.
How many Stolpersteine are there, and who are they for?
As of March 2022, there were 100,000 Stolpersteine in 1,800 cities in 27 countries. Germany has 70,000 Stolpersteine. They are to be found in 1,100 cities.
Jews constitute the largest group commemorated, followed by members of the Resistance, “euthanasia” victims, gays and Sinti and Roma.
What sources of information are there on the Stolpersteine?
Gunter’s Website is stolpersteine.eu
Wikipedia has a helpful entry: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolpersteine
Are family members consulted prior to the creation of Stolpersteine?
Yes. And all of them have to agree to the placement.
Who staffs the Stolpersteine organizations?
Volunteers working on pro bono bases. Gunter has a team of eight persons. It handles the creation and placement of Stolpersteine, and the keeping of records.
How long will it take to get my Stolperstein placed?
There is a huge demand for Stolpersteine. Which is good. The negative thing is that you may have to wait between six months and a year for the placement to take place.
Who places the Stolpersteine?
Gunter and local organizations, should he not be available.
Is there opposition to the Stolpersteine?
There is, notably in Munich, in which the leader of the ultra-orthodox congregation is against them. Munich is one of several cities that restrict the placement of Stolpersteine to on private property.
What cities have the most Stolpersteine?
Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Frankfurt.
What’s the history of the Stolpersteine?
Gunter, a conceptual artist, launched the project in Cologne in 1991. The first officially-approved Stolpersteine were placed in July 1997. This was in Austria. The Stolpersteine were for two brothers, Jehovah’s Witnesses, who refused to serve in the Nazi armed forces.

Apply for a Stolperstein.

Please fill out the form below and email it to initiative@stolpersteine-muenchen.de
Application Form of Stolpersteine