Plaques honoring Rome's deported Jews reported stolen

20 of 200 gold memorials, known as ‘stumble stones’ for their ability to remind passersby of Holocaust victims, are apparently taken overnight; mayor condemns incident

ROME — Rome’s mayor denounced on Monday the apparent theft of 20 small bronze plaques honoring the members of a Jewish family deported during the Holocaust.

The plaques, affixed to cobblestone assembled by German artist Gunter Demnig in front of the Di Consiglio family home in the Monti neighborhood, were apparently taken overnight. A gaping hole was all that remained Monday.

The Di Consiglios were among the Italian families who suffered the most loss during the Holocaust, with over 20 members killed by the Nazis.

Each plaque represented a different Holocaust victim. There were roughly 200 in total prior to the apparent theft.

They are known as the “Stumble Stones” due to their ability to cause passersby to stumble over and be reminded of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Italian news agency ANSA said the organization responsible for the plaques, “Arte in Memory,” reported the discovery. In July, the same group reported receiving a threatening letter featuring a photo of Adolf Hitler.

In a tweet, Mayor Virginia Raggi condemned the plaques’ theft as unacceptable: “Memory requires respect.”

Rome’s historic center houses the Jewish ghetto, near Monti, and its cobblestoned streets are dotted with the plaques in front of homes of Jews who were killed or deported.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.