Stones in remembrance of Holocaust victims

The history of Ferrara's Jewish community is rooted in the distant past, and the city preserves important traces of it: from the prosperous period under the protection of the Este family, to the difficult years of segregation in the ghetto during papal rule and the fascist regime

To pay homage to the community, Ferrara joins the European project of the Stones of Inciampo: a symbolic and universal initiative to keep alive the memory of the victims of the Shoah and Nazi persecution.

The aim of the Stones of Stumbling is to restore dignity and identity to those whom Nazi-Fascist persecution tried to erase. Their name stems from the desire to make those who encounter them ‘stumble’ in a moment of reflection, never to forget those tragic events and to preserve their memory.

What are Stumbling Stones?

Stumbling Stones (Stolpersteine) are small concrete blocks (10x10 cm) covered with a brass plate engraved with the name, year of birth, place of deportation and date of death of the victims. Designed by the German artist Gunter Demnig, these stones are placed in front of the last known homes of deported persons, transforming the pavements into widespread memorials.

The first 15 Stones of Inciampo will be installed in Via Mazzini, in three significant locations. At no. 14 in memory of the Rietti-Cavalieri family (Nello, Giulia, Leonella, Gastone Rietti and Argia Cavalieri), at no. 85 in memory of the Forti-Jesi-Lampronti family (Leone Forti, Carolina Jesi, Berta Forti, Umberto Lampronti and Carlo Lampronti), and at no. 88: in memory of the Fink-Bassani-Lampronti family (Isacco Fink, Carlo Bassani, Giuseppe Bassani, Rina Lampronti and Marcella Bassani)

The laying of the Stones of Stones represents much more than a commemorative initiative: it is an invitation to reflect, a way to bring forgotten stories to light and to transform everyday places into spaces of memory.