Gerd Reutlinger

Frankfurt, DE

Gerd Reutlinger
Gerd Reutlinger
Location
Frankfurt, DE
Category
heritage historic sites
Coordinates
50.1421839, 8.6665318
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

The memorial for Gerd Reutlinger in Frankfurt is a poignant site of remembrance, part of the extensive Stolpersteine (stumbling stone) project that commemorates victims of the National Socialist regime. Located in the Dornbusch district, this site serves as a permanent historical marker for Gerd Reutlinger, who was deported on November 22, 1941, to the Kaunas Ghetto in Lithuania. For those researching local history or seeking meaningful places to visit in the city, the Stolpersteine offer a sobering, intimate look at the lives of Frankfurt's former Jewish residents. Visitors to the area will find that these markers are embedded directly into the pavement in front of the victims' former homes, transforming the urban landscape into a collective memorial. While exploring the neighborhood, one can reflect on the individual stories behind these brass plaques, which provide a tangible connection to the past. As you plan your trip ideas, including these sites in your itinerary allows for a deeper understanding of Frankfurt’s complex history and the efforts made to ensure the victims are not forgotten. The site is best visited during daylight hours, allowing for quiet contemplation of the memorial and its surrounding residential context. It stands as a testament to the importance of historical preservation and the ongoing commitment to remembrance within the city.

General information

The memorial for Gerd Reutlinger in Frankfurt is a poignant site of remembrance, part of the extensive Stolpersteine (stumbling stone) project that commemorates victims of the National Socialist regime. Located in the Dornbusch district, this site serves as a permanent historical marker for Gerd Reutlinger, who was deported on November 22, 1941, to the Kaunas Ghetto in Lithuania. For those researching local history or seeking meaningful places to visit in the city, the Stolpersteine offer a sobering, intimate look at the lives of Frankfurt's former Jewish residents. Visitors to the area will find that these markers are embedded directly into the pavement in front of the victims' former homes, transforming the urban landscape into a collective memorial. While exploring the neighborhood, one can reflect on the individual stories behind these brass plaques, which provide a tangible connection to the past. As you plan your trip ideas, including these sites in your itinerary allows for a deeper understanding of Frankfurt’s complex history and the efforts made to ensure the victims are not forgotten. The site is best visited during daylight hours, allowing for quiet contemplation of the memorial and its surrounding residential context. It stands as a testament to the importance of historical preservation and the ongoing commitment to remembrance within the city.

Did you know

  • The Stolpersteine project is the world's largest decentralized memorial.
  • Each stone is inscribed with the name and dates of the person it commemorates.
  • The stones are typically laid in the pavement in front of the last known place of residence before deportation.

History

Gerd Reutlinger was a victim of the systematic persecution of Jewish citizens during the Nazi era. On November 22, 1941, he was among those forced onto a deportation transport from Frankfurt am Main to the Kaunas Ghetto in Lithuania. The Kaunas Ghetto was the site of the Ninth Fort massacres, where the vast majority of the deportees were murdered shortly after their arrival. The Stolperstein placed at his former residence serves as a historical record of his life and his tragic end during the Holocaust, ensuring that his name remains part of the public consciousness in Frankfurt.

Cultural significance

The Stolperstein for Gerd Reutlinger is a significant element of Germany’s 'culture of remembrance' (Erinnerungskultur). By placing these markers in the public sphere, the project forces a confrontation with the history of the Holocaust within everyday life. It shifts the focus from abstract statistics to individual human lives, fostering empathy and historical awareness. These stones serve as educational tools that anchor the history of the Shoah to specific locations, reminding residents and visitors alike of the former presence of Jewish families in their neighborhoods and the catastrophic loss caused by the National Socialist regime.

Geography and landscape

The site is located in the Dornbusch district of Frankfurt, a residential area characterized by mid-20th-century architecture and quiet streets. Unlike centralized monuments, this memorial is integrated into the existing urban fabric, sitting flush with the sidewalk. The landscape is that of a typical German city neighborhood, where the contrast between the mundane daily life of a modern district and the heavy historical weight of the brass plaque creates a unique, somber atmosphere. The site is accessible by foot and is best viewed in the morning or early afternoon when natural light highlights the inscription on the stone.

More facts

  • Imported from OSM batch

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