Fürth, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe
Fürther Freiheit
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Fürth Freiheit Square
| — | Orte der Verfolgung und des Gedenkens | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 5, 2026
1. Fürther Freiheit / Fürth Freiheit Square Marker
Orte der Verfolgung und des Gedenkens (15)
Ein Rundgang des Jüdischen Museums Franken und seines Fördervereins
Die Fürther Freiheit ist als Schlageter-Platz erst 1938 entstanden, nachdem NS-Oberbürgermeister Franz Jakob den Bahnhof der Ludwigseisenbahn zugunsten eines Aufmarschplatzes in der Innenstadt abtragen ließ. Während des Novemberpogroms 1938 trieb die SA hier jüdische Männer, Frauen und Kinder zusammen, darunter die Patienten und das Personal des Jüdischen Krankenhauses, und hielt sie eine Nacht fest. Frauen und Kinder wurden am Morgen freigelassen, die Männer ins Berolzheimerianum gebracht.
This was the arrival point in 1835 for the first German railway line from Nuremberg to Fürth, which operated until 1922. In 1946, as a response to the war and National Socialism, the square was renamed Fürther Freiheit ("Fürth Freedom").
Places of Persecution and Remembrance (15)
A tour by the Jewish Museum of Franconia and its supporting association
Fürther Freiheit, originally named Schlageter-Platz, only came into being in 1938, after Nazi Mayor Franz Jakob had the Ludwig Railway station demolished to make way for a parade ground in the city center. During the November Pogrom of 1938, the SA rounded up Jewish men, women, and children here, including patients and staff of the Jewish Hospital, and held them overnight. The women and children were released in the morning, while the men were taken to the Berolzheimerianum.
Erected by Stadt Fürth. (Marker Number 15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas
this page online
Location. 49° 28.328′ N, 10° 59.518′ E. Marker is in Fürth, Bayern (Bavaria). It is at the intersection of Gustav-Schickendanz-Straße and Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße, on the right when traveling south on Gustav-Schickendanz-Straße. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fürth BY 90762, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hans Böckler (1875-1951) (within shouting distance of this marker); König-Ludwig-II.-Brunnen / King Ludwig II Fountain (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Die Gründung des Roten Kreuzes in Fürth / The Founding of the Red Cross in Fürth (about 120 meters away); Alfred Nathan (about 150 meters away); Berolzheimerianum (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Stadttheater / City Theater
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 5, 2026
2. Fürther Freiheit / Fürth Freiheit Square Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Fürther Freiheit (FürthWiki, in German). Excerpt (in translation):
The square visible today was only created in January 1938. Until then, the former Ludwigsbahnhof (Ludwig's Railway Station), which ceased operations in 1922, stood on the site. Until its demolition, the former station housed, among other things, the Scherer furniture store.(Submitted on February 23, 2026.)
The eastern part of the square, in front of the still-existing Ludwigsbahnhof, was renamed "Schlageterplatz" by the National Socialists. The square was named after Albert Leo Schlageter, a Freikorps fighter and so-called "First Soldier of the Third Reich," by the acting mayor, Franz Jakob (NSDAP), on March 22, 1933. The occasion for the naming of the square was the Nazi seizure of power on March 21, 1933, which was further cemented in Potsdam with a ceremony in the Garrison Church (the Day of Potsdam). Similarly, the Nazi Party in Fürth celebrated this event with a central rally in front of the town hall. In front of military units and a "huge" crowd, Jakob, "pursuant to Article 17 of the Bavarian Municipal Code," announced with immediate effect that the square by the waiting hall on Bahnhofstraße would be named "Schlageterplatz" (initially only a small section of Freiheit). At the same time, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße was renamed Julius-Streicher-Straße, Königswarterstraße became Adolf-Hitler-Straße, and Stresemannplatz became Horst-Wessel-Platz. The involvement of the elected representatives of the people—the city council—was not required by the Nazi regime. After the demolition of Ludwigsbahnhof in 1938, the square was expanded. It became the largest square in the city.
Immediately after the Second World War and the end of the Nazi era, the square was initially renamed in May 1945 as part of the denazification process, reverting to its former name.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 72 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
