Rolf Reutlinger

Frankfurt, DE

Rolf Reutlinger
Rolf Reutlinger
Location
Frankfurt, DE
Category
heritage historic sites
Coordinates
50.1421818, 8.6665031
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

The memorial for Rolf Reutlinger in Frankfurt is a significant site of remembrance, marking the life and tragic fate of a victim of the National Socialist regime. As part of the Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) project, this memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives disrupted and extinguished during the Holocaust. Visitors coming to Frankfurt often seek out these commemorative markers to engage with the city's complex history and to pay their respects to those deported and murdered. Rolf Reutlinger was deported on November 22, 1941, to Kaunas, where he was subsequently killed. The site provides an opportunity for quiet reflection on the individual stories behind the statistics of the Holocaust. When planning your trip ideas for exploring historical sites in Frankfurt, these memorials offer a profound look into the local history of the Dornbusch district. Visitors can expect a somber, respectful atmosphere as they encounter these brass plaques embedded in the pavement in front of former residences. Understanding these local attractions helps bridge the gap between historical data and personal human experience, ensuring that the names and stories of individuals like Rolf Reutlinger are not forgotten. The memorial is best visited during the morning or early afternoon when the light is sufficient to read the inscriptions clearly, and travelers are encouraged to check the local weather forecast before visiting this outdoor site.

General information

The memorial for Rolf Reutlinger in Frankfurt is a significant site of remembrance, marking the life and tragic fate of a victim of the National Socialist regime. As part of the Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) project, this memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives disrupted and extinguished during the Holocaust. Visitors coming to Frankfurt often seek out these commemorative markers to engage with the city's complex history and to pay their respects to those deported and murdered. Rolf Reutlinger was deported on November 22, 1941, to Kaunas, where he was subsequently killed. The site provides an opportunity for quiet reflection on the individual stories behind the statistics of the Holocaust. When planning your trip ideas for exploring historical sites in Frankfurt, these memorials offer a profound look into the local history of the Dornbusch district. Visitors can expect a somber, respectful atmosphere as they encounter these brass plaques embedded in the pavement in front of former residences. Understanding these local attractions helps bridge the gap between historical data and personal human experience, ensuring that the names and stories of individuals like Rolf Reutlinger are not forgotten. The memorial is best visited during the morning or early afternoon when the light is sufficient to read the inscriptions clearly, and travelers are encouraged to check the local weather forecast before visiting this outdoor site.

Did you know

  • The Stolpersteine project is the world's largest decentralized memorial.
  • Each stone is hand-crafted and laid in the pavement in front of the victim's last known place of residence.
  • The project was initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s.

History

Rolf Reutlinger was a victim of the systematic persecution of Jewish citizens by the Nazi regime in Germany. On November 22, 1941, he was among those deported from Frankfurt to the Kaunas Ghetto in occupied Lithuania. Historical records confirm that he was murdered following this deportation, a fate shared by thousands of others during the Holocaust. The placement of a Stolperstein at his former residence serves as a permanent historical record of his life and the specific date of his forced removal from the city.

Cultural significance

The memorial is part of the Stolpersteine project, which acts as a cultural and historical intervention in the urban landscape of Frankfurt. By placing these markers at the doorsteps of everyday life, the project forces a confrontation with the past. It shifts the focus from abstract historical figures to individual human beings, fostering a culture of remembrance that is integrated into the modern city. It serves as an educational tool for locals and visitors, emphasizing the necessity of memory in preventing the repetition of historical atrocities.

Geography and landscape

The memorial is located in the Dornbusch district of Frankfurt. As an urban memorial, it is integrated directly into the public sidewalk, requiring no specific facility or enclosure. The setting is representative of typical residential streets in Frankfurt, where the brass plaque is embedded into the pavement. The surroundings are quiet and residential, providing a space for reflection that is easily accessible to pedestrians. The site remains part of the active, modern streetscape, contrasting the historical tragedy of the individual with the ongoing life of the city.

More facts

  • Imported from OSM batch

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