Today, Terezin (formerly known as Theresienstadt) is a sleepy countryside town in the north-west region of Bohemia. The town witnessed the dark days of the Holocaust in1940-1945 when 140,000 people were deported here by the Nazis. The place served as a ghetto, GESTAPO prison, and a concentration camp. The Terezin Memorial is the only institution of its kind in the Czech Republic, and its key mission is to commemorate the victims of the Nazi persecution during the occupation of the Czech territories during World War II.
The Memorial consists of over ten historic sites—a Small Fortress, Ghetto museum, cemeteries, the Crematorium, railway siding, and others. Thousands of people died here due to being tortured, malnutrition, and disease. For many, it was the last stop before extermination camps like Treblinka and Auschwitz.
If you are interested in Czech-Jewish history, the Holocaust, and World War II, you can join a tour to the Terezin Memorial. Guides will show you the monuments and museums with exhibitions from its dark past. Tours run year round, with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Day.
Practical info
When can I visit the Terezin Memorial in Czech Republic?
Visitors can go to the Terezin Memorial any day throughout the year, except on the Christmas and New Year's day. Operating hours run from Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Different languages are available for guided tours, one of which is in English. Visitors normally stay for 90 to 120 minutes, and at reasonable rates. Show more
Where can I find the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp?
In Terezin, Czech Republic, the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp is found. This is one of more than ten historical sites that constitute the Terezin Memorial and is open for visits. Facilities such as the Small Fortress, Ghetto Museum, Crematorium, cemeteries, and Railway siding, are available. It can be reached by car or train and is approximately 60 kilometers from Prague situated in the northweste region of Bohemia. Show more
What were the different functions of Terezin during the Nazi occupation?
Terezin served as a ghetto initially for Jewish prisoners from different countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Nazis also used Terezin to imprison individuals considered dangerous and accordingly interrogated them. Additionally, Terezin became a transit camp through which prisoners were taken to extermination camps like Auschwitz and Treblinka. The Nazis found Terezin crucial to their plan of annihilating the Jewish population of the whole of Europe. Show more
How many people were deported to Terezin during the Holocaust?
During the Holocaust, Terezin became home to around 140,000 Jews that the Nazis forcibly deported from several countries. Of those, over 33,000 died in Terezin as a result of disease, torture, and malnourishment, among others. The Nazis further deported an additional 88,000 people to different locations from the Terezin camp, mainly extermination camps. Although the camp was liberated in May 1945, many of its victims died, making the Terezin Concentration Camp a timeless testament to Europe's dark history. Show more
What specific museums and exhibitions can I see at the Terezin Memorial?
Visitors to the Terezin Memorial can explore various museums encompassing more than ten historical facilities. The Ghetto Museum, Technical Installations Museum, Small Fortress, and Columbarium with remains of victims' ashes are just a few. The Small Fortress functioned similarly to a concentration camp, imprisoning Jewish and non-Jewish prisoners alike. The Ghetto Museum is home to artistic works and other items created by Jewish prisoners while they were incarcerated in Terezin. Different exhibitions include transport orders, medical equipment used by the SS, and authentic documents about deported prisoners from Terezin. Show more
