In 1924, a seemingly ordinary stone was placed in Heidelberg’s Stadtwald. This was no ordinary rock. This was the Kolonialstein. The Kolonialstein was meant to commemorate 40 years of German colonial history. It specifically marked the anniversary of German South West Africa, modern-day Namibia. The inscription on the Kolonialstein reads: “24.IV.24 In memory of the 40-year colonial history of the German Reich”.
The Kolonialstein’s placement near the Heidelberg Ehrenfriedhof (Cemetery of Honor) is no accident. It originally stood near a Reichswehr (German army) shooting range. The area was full of military installations. These included a shooting house, a projectile trap, and a guardhouse. This guardhouse, nicknamed the “Pulverhäusel” (powder house), still stands today. It now serves as a clubhouse. A steep path, parts of which still exist, led past the Kolonialstein. It went up the western slopes of the Gaisberg. The Kolonialstein’s location suggests a deliberate attempt to connect the memory of the colony with military ambition. It served as a reminder of the dream of restoring Germany’s colonial empire.
The Kolonialstein was dedicated on April 24, 1924. The event received little public attention in Heidelberg. No mention of it appeared in the local press. The Kolonialstein was financed through private donations and the German Colonial Society. The stone itself is made of local Neckartäler sandstone. It measures 100 x 60 x 30 cm. Key figures behind its creation included former officers from Heidelberg. These officers had participated in the German Schutztruppe’s (protection force) operations in German South West Africa. Professor Alfred Hettner, Heidelberg’s branch leader of the German Colonial Society, was also involved. Theodor Seitz, former governor of German South West Africa and later president of the German Colonial Society, played a significant role. Another name associated with the Kolonialstein is Klara Wagemann. She was the wife of Geheimrat August Wagenmann, a professor of ophthalmology in Heidelberg. She also chaired the Women’s League of the German Colonial Society in Heidelberg.
The Kolonialstein today stands near a playground. It shares the space with the Kolonialbrunnen (Colonial Fountain). This location, between Bierhelderhofweg and Saupfercheckweg, is far from its original context. The memorial now receives little attention. There’s no information on-site about its history or the complex narrative it represents. Despite its current state, the Kolonialstein remains a listed cultural monument. This designation recognizes it as a testament to Germany’s complex and difficult colonial past.