Günther Erlbeck

Salzburg, IL

Günther Erlbeck
Günther Erlbeck
Location
Salzburg, IL
Category
iconic bucket list
Coordinates
47.8071925, 13.044731
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

The Günther Erlbeck Stolperstein is a memorial plaque located in Salzburg, Austria, commemorating Günther Erlbeck, a victim of Nazi persecution. Please note that while the input indicated 'Salzburg, Israel,' the provided website clearly identifies the location as Salzburg, Austria. This 'stumbling stone' is part of a larger European art project by Gunter Demnig, designed to keep alive the memory of individuals who suffered under the Nazi regime. Each brass plaque is embedded in the pavement in front of the last voluntarily chosen residence of a victim, serving as a poignant reminder of their fate. Visitors seeking historical sites or points of remembrance in Salzburg can locate this memorial to reflect on a significant period of European history. It offers a solemn opportunity to engage with the personal stories of those affected by the Holocaust.

General information

The Günther Erlbeck Stolperstein is a memorial plaque located in Salzburg, Austria, commemorating Günther Erlbeck, a victim of Nazi persecution. Please note that while the input indicated 'Salzburg, Israel,' the provided website clearly identifies the location as Salzburg, Austria. This 'stumbling stone' is part of a larger European art project by Gunter Demnig, designed to keep alive the memory of individuals who suffered under the Nazi regime. Each brass plaque is embedded in the pavement in front of the last voluntarily chosen residence of a victim, serving as a poignant reminder of their fate. Visitors seeking historical sites or points of remembrance in Salzburg can locate this memorial to reflect on a significant period of European history. It offers a solemn opportunity to engage with the personal stories of those affected by the Holocaust.

Did you know

  • The name 'Stolperstein' translates to 'stumbling stone', referring to the idea that one 'stumbles' across the memorial with their feet and their mind.
  • Each Stolperstein is handmade and individually engraved with the victim's name, birth year, and fate.
  • The Stolperstein project, initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig, is considered the world's largest decentralized memorial, with over 90,000 plaques installed across Europe.
  • The first Stolperstein was laid in Cologne, Germany, in 1992.

History

The Stolperstein for Günther Erlbeck commemorates his life and tragic fate. Born in 1913, Erlbeck was arrested in 1938 and subsequently murdered in 1940 at the Buchenwald concentration camp, a victim of the Nazi regime's persecution. The Stolperstein project itself began in 1992 when artist Gunter Demnig placed the first plaque in Cologne, Germany. His aim was to bring the names and fates of individual victims back to their last known addresses, making their memory tangible in the public space. The Stolperstein for Günther Erlbeck was installed on August 26, 2008, as part of this widespread memorial initiative. It is important to note that the provided location 'Salzburg, Israel' appears to be incorrect, with the associated website confirming its location in Salzburg, Austria.

Cultural significance

The Günther Erlbeck Stolperstein holds significant cultural value as part of Europe's largest decentralized memorial. It serves as a tangible reminder of the individual human cost of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, ensuring that victims like Günther Erlbeck are remembered not just as statistics but as individuals with lives and homes. This project promotes a culture of remembrance, encouraging passersby to pause and reflect on history and its lessons. By placing these memorials in everyday public spaces, the Stolpersteine foster a direct, personal connection to the past, contributing to historical awareness and combating historical revisionism. They stand as a silent, yet powerful, testament to human dignity and the importance of never forgetting.

Geography and landscape

The Günther Erlbeck Stolperstein is situated within the urban fabric of Salzburg, Austria, embedded directly into the pavement. Unlike traditional monuments, its location is not a dedicated memorial park but rather a public sidewalk, specifically in front of the building that was Günther Erlbeck's last voluntarily chosen residence. This placement integrates the memorial directly into the daily life of the city, making it an integral, yet subtle, part of the streetscape. Its small size and ground-level position require active observation, drawing visitors' attention to the specific historical context of a particular address within the broader urban landscape of Salzburg.

More facts

  • Imported from OSM Overpass

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