Selma Schöps geb. Harris

Frankfurt, DE

Selma Schöps geb. Harris
Selma Schöps geb. Harris
Location
Frankfurt, DE
Category
heritage historic sites
Coordinates
50.1262421, 8.708119
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

Selma Schöps, born Harris, is commemorated through a Stolperstein—a cobblestone-sized memorial plaque—located in Frankfurt. These brass-plated stones are embedded in the pavement in front of the last known freely chosen residences of victims of the National Socialist regime. Selma Schöps was deported on March 15, 1943, to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she was murdered. Her memorial serves as a physical site of remembrance within the urban landscape, forcing passersby to pause and acknowledge the individual lives extinguished during the Holocaust. For those looking for meaningful places to visit in Frankfurt, the Stolpersteine project offers a profound way to engage with the city's complex history. These markers are part of a decentralized monument project that spans across Europe, ensuring that the memory of victims remains integrated into the daily life of the city. Visitors to Frankfurt often include these sites in their itineraries to gain a deeper understanding of the local impact of the Nazi era. As you explore the city, these memorials provide essential context regarding the historical fabric of Frankfurt's neighborhoods. Engaging with these sites is a somber but vital part of any visit, offering a moment of reflection amidst your broader trip ideas for exploring the city's past and its commitment to remembrance.

General information

Selma Schöps, born Harris, is commemorated through a Stolperstein—a cobblestone-sized memorial plaque—located in Frankfurt. These brass-plated stones are embedded in the pavement in front of the last known freely chosen residences of victims of the National Socialist regime. Selma Schöps was deported on March 15, 1943, to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she was murdered. Her memorial serves as a physical site of remembrance within the urban landscape, forcing passersby to pause and acknowledge the individual lives extinguished during the Holocaust. For those looking for meaningful places to visit in Frankfurt, the Stolpersteine project offers a profound way to engage with the city's complex history. These markers are part of a decentralized monument project that spans across Europe, ensuring that the memory of victims remains integrated into the daily life of the city. Visitors to Frankfurt often include these sites in their itineraries to gain a deeper understanding of the local impact of the Nazi era. As you explore the city, these memorials provide essential context regarding the historical fabric of Frankfurt's neighborhoods. Engaging with these sites is a somber but vital part of any visit, offering a moment of reflection amidst your broader trip ideas for exploring the city's past and its commitment to remembrance.

Did you know

  • The term 'Stolperstein' literally translates to 'stumbling stone,' intended to make people 'stumble' over the memory of the victims.
  • The project was initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s.
  • Each stone is inscribed with the name and dates of the victim, typically including birth, deportation, and death details.

History

Selma Schöps was a victim of the systematic persecution and extermination of Jews by the National Socialist regime in Germany. Historical records confirm her deportation from Frankfurt on March 15, 1943. She was transported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, where she was killed. The Stolperstein project, which commemorates her, aims to restore the names of victims to the places where they once lived as members of the community, countering the anonymity of the Holocaust. By documenting these individual histories, the project ensures that the specific circumstances of her life and death are not forgotten, providing a verifiable record of the atrocities committed during this period.

Cultural significance

The Stolperstein dedicated to Selma Schöps is part of a global effort to maintain a culture of remembrance, or 'Erinnerungskultur,' in Germany. By placing these memorials in public walkways, the project challenges the collective silence that followed the war. It transforms the act of walking through a city into an act of remembrance, requiring individuals to physically lower their heads to read the inscriptions. This practice serves as a permanent, decentralized monument that prevents the sanitization of history. It is a critical component of Frankfurt's efforts to acknowledge its past and educate future generations about the consequences of hatred and systemic discrimination.

Geography and landscape

The memorial for Selma Schöps is situated in the urban environment of Frankfurt. Unlike traditional monuments concentrated in a single park or square, this memorial is integrated directly into the sidewalk of a residential or commercial street. The setting is characterized by the everyday architecture of the city, placing the history of the Holocaust directly into the modern, functional space of the streetscape. The stone is a small, brass-topped cube embedded in the concrete or asphalt, existing in the same physical plane as the pedestrian. This juxtaposition of the mundane, modern city and the stark, historical reminder defines the landscape of remembrance in Frankfurt.

More facts

  • Imported from OSM batch

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