Precisely here on Martin-Luther-Straße stands a silent yet powerful reminder. It is Weg der Erinnerung: Station 2. This stele marks a somber point along a path of remembrance. The Weg der Erinnerung traces the route Jewish citizens of Unterfranken were forced to walk in 1942. They walked to the Aumühle train station for deportation.
This path began at the Platz’schen Garten. Today, it is near the Friedrich-Ebert-Ring. The path ends at the Aumühle loading yard. This is where trains departed to death camps. The DenkOrt Aumühle was originally planned to be the end of the Weg der Erinnerung. But the Deutsche Bahn bridge’s unstable statics prevented its construction. Instead, the DenkOrt Deportationen 1941-1944 was created at the main train station.
The Martin-Luther-Straße Stele is one of several informational points. These steles mark locations where historical photos were taken during the deportations. The steles show these photos.
The Weg der Erinnerung is more than just a physical route. It is also a commemorative event. The first memorial march occurred on May 10, 2011. It commemorated the deportation of Jews from Unterfranken. This march specifically honored the third and largest deportation. It involved over 850 Jewish citizens. Participants carried 852 plaques. Each plaque bore the name of a person deported on April 25, 1942. The march spanned 1.8 kilometers. It concluded at the Aumühl-Ladehof. This small freight station was where trains to the extermination camps departed. Around 3,000 people participated in the march.
The Weg der Erinnerung uses concrete sleepers in the sidewalk. It helps mark the route. Informational steles stand at significant points. The stele at Martin-Luther-Straße provides context and historical insight. It connects you to the events of that time.
The steles feature QR codes. These codes link to a web app. This app offers in-depth information on various themes related to the deportations. Themes include the lead-up to deportations, forced cooperation, deportation routes, and destinations. The app includes eyewitness accounts, texts, photos, videos, and an online exhibition.
The Weg der Erinnerung ensures the victims are not forgotten. It serves as a permanent reminder of human dignity. It urges us to remember. It asks that we learn from the past. The Martin-Luther-Straße Stele stands as a testament. It is a testament to the importance of remembrance and vigilance.