A thematic trail highlights the history of National Socialism in Krems. It is intended to make the traces of partly forgotten, partly destroyed, partly lingering history visible in the urban space. The ‘Crown’ provides insight into the dark secrets of the city.
The year is 1938 and we are looking at Krems – the capital of the Lower Donau region. At that time, the Lower Austrian statutory city wrote history that is often suppressed today. Prominent are the prison and court in the Krems cityscape, where Nazi violence once took place.
However, the Hedwig Stocker Park, a small park right next to the old city wall in Stein, is relatively unknown. It is named after a bailiff who worked in the county courthouse at the time. Hedwig Stocker started as a guard in the women’s prison in March 1941 and was therefore part of the system. It is said that the captured women were treated extremely humanely by Stocker. After the end of the Nazi regime in 1945, she continued to work as a supervisor. Stocker was characterized by great humanity and impartial justice. She also hid resistance fighter Maria Polak in her garden house for a month.
National Socialism in pictures
The newly opened theme trail in Krems tells exactly these stories. National Socialism in Krems will now be highlighted at another 23 historical sites. Each place represents a different event that mentions destruction, persecution and crime, but also responsibility, solidarity and resistance.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
