Terezin (Theresienstadt in German) was built as a fortress town by Josef II., a son of Maria Theresa, to protect the country from the North, from Prusian attacks in the second half of 18th century. The town itself (Big Fortress) was changed into a ghetto for the Jews during WW2 and the Small Fortress (part of the fortification system, used for the military in the past) in a Gestapo prison where political opponents of various nationalities were imprisoned. Terezín wasn't used to exterminate the Jews, Gypsies and gays, it was meant as a transit camp by the occupying Nazi forces. Majority of the Jews were transported from Terezin to the death camps, mainly to Auschwitz and Treblinka where they died; but many others, both the Jews and political prisoners died in Terezin because of appalling living conditions and torturing of guards. Terezín will be always recalled as a tragic symbol of the sufferings of the tens of thousands of innocent people.
You can still see there the entrance gate with “Arbeit macht frei” sign, prisoners´ cells, courtyards of the former Gestapo prison and a fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition of the history of the fortress in the Ghetto Museum. In the Magdeburg barracks the cultural life of Terezin during WW2 is revealed.
Walking on flat smooth surfaces.
Duration: 6 hours. All week, all year round.
Admisson: A ticket to the Small Fortress and the Museum of the Ghetto + Magdeburg Barracks: 200 CZK adults, 150 CZK students.
Interesting links: www.pamatnik-terezin.cz, www.holocaust.cz, www.fondholocaust.cz,
www.terezinstudies.cz
