Stolperstein dedicated to Enrique Martínez Barona

The Stolperstein for Enrique Martínez Barona is a small memorial stone set into a pavement in central Madrid, on Calle Ave María, in the Lavapiés/Embajadores district. It commemorates a man deported by the Nazi regime during the Second World War and forms one stop on a memorial trail connecting central Madrid to the history of the Mauthausen concentration camp.

Who was Enrique Martínez Barona?

Enrique Martínez Barona was born in 1913 and lived at number 43, Calle Ave María, in Madrid. Like many Spanish Republicans, he fled to France after the Spanish Civil War and the rise of the Franco regime. When Germany occupied France, Spanish exiles were among those swept into the Nazi system of persecution. Martínez Barona was deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. He was murdered on 10 February 1942 at Hartheim Castle, one of the sites the Nazis used to kill people they classified as "unfit for work," including concentration camp prisoners.

What is a Stolperstein, and why is one here?

Stolpersteine ("stumbling stones") are part of a Europe-wide project started by German artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s. Small brass plaques are set into the pavement outside the last known home of a victim of Nazi persecution, each engraved with a name, birth date, and fate. In Madrid, these stones cluster in Lavapiés/Embajadores, a neighbourhood that was home to many Spaniards later deported to German camps after the Republic's defeat. The stone for Enrique Martínez Barona is one of more than a dozen placed in this part of the city.

How do you get there?

The stone sits on the pavement of Calle Ave María, in the heart of Madrid, a short walk from Lavapiés metro station (Line 3) and Embajadores station (Lines 3 and 5). The easiest approach is on foot from Plaza de Lavapiés, heading toward Ave María and Argumosa streets. Driving isn't practical here — the streets are narrow and traffic-restricted — so metro, bus, or a 15–20 minute walk from Puerta del Sol are the better options.

What will you actually see?

The stone itself is modest: a brass plaque set flush with the cobblestones, easy to miss unless you're looking for it. The inscription gives the victim's name, year of birth, deportation, and the place and date of death. Nearby, on the same street and the surrounding blocks, other Stolpersteine commemorate Lavapiés residents who met similar fates — following the whole trail gives a clearer sense of how deeply this neighbourhood was affected.

When should you visit, and how should you behave?

There's no opening hours or ticket — it's a section of public pavement, accessible at any time, any season. That said, this is a memorial site, not a conventional attraction: a moment of quiet reflection is appropriate, and visitors should avoid stepping directly on the stone. If it's obscured by dirt or leaves, gently uncovering the inscription is a welcome gesture.

Frequently asked questions

How is a Stolperstein different from a monument? It isn't a monument in the usual sense. It's a small brass plaque set into the pavement, placed at the exact spot where the victim lived before deportation — meant to make passers-by stop and notice, not to dominate a skyline.

Is there an entry fee? No. The stone is in a public street and can be visited free of charge at any hour.

Are there other Stolpersteine nearby? Yes. Lavapiés/Embajadores has more than a dozen stones honouring residents deported to Nazi camps, including Mauthausen.

What's the best way to plan a visit? Combine it with a walk through Lavapiés — a district known for its cafés, galleries, and multicultural life — treating the memorial as one stop along the way rather than the sole destination.