Terezín Memorial
Terezín is a former military fortress located about 40 miles north of Prague, known for its transformation into the Theresienstadt concentration camp during World War II.
The Two Fortresses
Terezín is divided into two parts: the big and small fortresses. The first was used as a Jewish ghetto where over 150,000 Jews lived, and the second was a concentration camp. Keep in mind that Theresienstadt was a concentration camp, not an extermination camp. The Terezín Memorial is currently open to visitors, who can explore the camp.
In the camp, visitors will be able to explore the barracks, courtyards, cells, and other rooms. There is also a tunnel, which is very claustrophobic, that runs for a quarter of a mile (nearly 1 kilometer).
By purchasing the combined ticket, you'll get to see the concentration camp, the barracks, the Ghetto Museum, the cemetery, and the crematorium. This part is outside the Big fortress and it's truly terrific.
Visitors will also be able to visit the school where there are heart-breaking drawings made by the children who were imprisoned here from 1940 – 1945.
At the beginning of your visit, you'll be given a very useful map to get around the fortress.
How to get to Terezín
There are several options to get to Terezín Memorial: hire a car, book a guided tour or take the bus and visit the memorial by yourself (without a guide).
The bus leaves from Holesovice station and takes about one hour to get to Terezín Memorial. On the way back to Prague, the bus stop is located in the central park of the Big fortress and will leave you in Prague at a different train station. Here, you'll be able to take the metro to your hotel or wherever you need to go.
Is it worth visiting?
Visiting Terezín Memorial will prove extremely emotional. You'll get a real sense of the atrocities committed during World War II in the commemoration of the thousands of victims of the Nazis.
Visitors have to keep in mind that Terezín Memorial relates the holocaust as it truly happened, with details and facts, and figures. Therefore, it's up to each person to decide if this is something he or she wants to see.
The whole visit will take you approximately 4 hours.
Official website:
Schedule
November – March: 8 am – 4 pm
April – October: 8 am - 6 pm
The opening hours vary depending on the different parts of the Memorial. For more information, check out the official website.
Price
Ghetto Museum and Small Fort:
Adults: Kč 210 (US$ 8.90).
Concessions: Kč 180 (US$ 7.70).
Ghetto Museum and Small Fort and Magdeburg Barracks:
Adults: Kč 260 (US$ 11.10).
Concessions: Kč 200 (US$ 8.50).
Terezin Concentration Camp Tour € 84 (US$ 89.90)
Nearby places
Prague Airport (45.8 km) Loreta (49.9 km) Golden Lane (49.9 km) Prague Castle (50 km) St Vitus Cathedral (50 km)
