Any info on Theresienstadt or the nearby city of Terezin? Going on Tour in August and wonder how far it is from our initial hotel? Also anyone been there?
Posted by
Western Canada
3717 posts
We went there back in 2003.
It was not an extermination camp, but a “showplace” that was to show the world that camps were “good” places.
Even the Red Cross was fooled by it.
People still died there from neglect, overwork and starvation.
Some were shot.
http://www.terezin.org/the-history-of-terezin
It was very moving and we certainly felt the sadness and horror of the place.
Nowadays….I think everyone ought to have at least one visit to a Nazi camp.
Never forget.
Ever.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2706 posts
it is about an hour on the bus from central Prague, the whole town is really a museum .It was a garrison town and fortress since the 18th century, and used as a concentration/ propaganda camp for only a few years of it's history but there is still a lot of that history still told when you visit.
I visited on my own several years ago, you really need a few hours just for the Small Fortress and several more for the various sites within the greater town as they are quite spread out, i certainly felt i could have spend a lot longer there rather than the 5 hours or so i did.
Posted by
Indiana
985 posts
We toured Terezin with Pavel Batel, who is a terrific guide. It was a sobering place and a moving experience. We felt it was well worth our time.
Posted by
10 posts
f you’re considering a visit to Terezín, I can’t recommend Pavel Batel highly enough! He is part of the Bat-El Tours team, and his level of care, sensitivity, and expertise made this experience far more meaningful and insightful than I could have imagined.
Pavel is an incredible historian and gifted storyteller with a unique ability to connect historical facts with deeply personal narratives.
Most of the sites we visited and the stories Pavel shared were things we would have never discovered on our own. Of course, there are exhibitions where you can read information, but Terezín’s history is so much richer and more layered than what you’ll find on a display board in one room.
Terezin is located around 50 minutes driving from Prague. Hotel pick-up and drop-off included in the services of the organization made the day seamless and allowed us to focus entirely on the history and experience rather than stressing over logistics.