We are visiting Prague in a couple of weeks and have a Terezin Tour scheduled for one day. I'm wondering if it would be better to tour the Jewish Quarter in Prague before or after our Terezin Tour? Or if it would even make a difference?
Thanks,
Tracy
Tracy,
My friend and I visited Prague last November and we toured the Jewish Quarter before going to Terezin. I think it was better that way. We felt like we learned more about the Jewish people and their daily lives before they were sent to Terezin. But either way, its good that your going to both places. Enjoy your trip to Prague, it is a fabulous city.
Same situation, different country--I visited Krakow and by the time I went to Auschwitz I had already spent 2 days exploring the Kazimierz area, including cemeteries and Schindler's factory, and in general I already knew about the Jews' experience. Whichever order you visit Prague's quarter (I've also been there and the staronova synagoga is fascinating) and Terezin probably doesn't make a difference.
In addition to the synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, don't miss the Jubilee Synagogue (Jubilejní synagoga in Czech), not far from the train station. At least in 2007 when I was there, it was included in your Old-New Synagogue admission. It's quite beautiful and quite different from the others in Prague.
I think I would go afterwards as you will have a better understanding after seeing the displays and information in the Synagogues in the city. But afterwards you will benefit a lot by interacting with the current Jewish community to get the full historical picture. Here is a link with some additional information: http://www.jewishprague.info/
I'd look at a calendar first! April 17-18 are Jewish holidays and the sights in the Jewish Quarter will be closed (and if they are open on the 16th, it will be only in the morning). That means that the 19th is probably going to be super-crowded because of the 'backlog.' On the 21st, Friday, the sights close in the early afternoon. They are closed on Saturday. Sundays are usually crowded, again because of the sabbath 'backlog.'
I've done both and it really doesn't make any difference in my opinion. We did the Jewish Quater first though.
Thank you all so much for the great information!!
Tracy
Note that there are museums in the U.S. which can provide you with background on Holocaust and what led up to it -- and you can do this outside of your limited vacation time. I have been to outstanding museums in New York. Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, and there are others.
I recommend Madeleine Albright's masterful book Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Rememberance and War, 1937-1948. I am re-reading it at the moment and it has the most astonishing chapter on Terezin. Albright writes with a wonderful depth of insight (as you'd expect from a professor of International Relations and former US Secretary of State) as well as a profund personal touch, as most of her extended family were sent to Terezin. The focus period the book also includes the events that led the the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis, the war period and the subsequent communist take over. Read it before you go to Terezin. I can't recommend it enough.
I second the recommendation of Albright's book. Also, you didn't state what tour company you are visiting Terezin with, but if it is Wittmann Tours, I greatly recommend "Helen". She co-wrote a book with her husband about a Terezin/Auschwitz survivor and is extremely knowledgeable about the memorial.
I read Albright's book after visiting Prague and Terezin and also highly recommend it. I also read a novel https://www.alysonrichman.com/the-lost-wife that was set, in part, in Terezin. Also, do some research on the art, literature and music that was created at Terezin. Terezin was a priority for me when visiting Prague because our son had performed in Bundibar, a children's opera that was performed over 50 times at Terezin. One of the original cast members from the Terezin performances gave an introduction and it was extremely moving. Our daughter, when she was in choir, sang settings of poems written by children at Terezin. You will find a lot of information about Brundibar if you do a google search. Having an appreciation of the talents and contributions of Terezin prisoners made our visit much more meaningful.
Thank you for the book Madeline Albright book suggestion - I already downloaded it on my Kindle and started it tonight. Such a good suggestion! Thank you all!
