Day 9-Terezin Concentration Camp

Terezin was established at the end of the 18th century as a fortress. It was built by the emperor Joseph II and was named for his mother. The small fortress was built as a prison and the main fortress was the main part of the town. In 1940 the Nazi's took over the town that inhabited about 7,000 people. The small fortress was used as a prison for war criminals, Jewish prisoners, and the entrance to the camp. The main fortress was used as the Jewish Ghetto. Over 50,000 people inhabited the town that was meant for 7,000. The Ghetto was used for a propaganda video that was to show the world how Jews were being treated. The video was never released. We actually got to see the video while visiting the small fortress. It depicted the town as such a wonderful place to live. Terezin was not an extermination camp however most of the population died due to starvation, disease, and the harsh conditions. There was an execution ground but it was for shootings and hangings. Most of the people were ultimately sent to Auschwitz where they were killed. All children were taken away from their parents where they were "schooled" to the Nazi way of thinking. You can check out this and this for more information.

A memorial for those that died in the small fortress

Star of David

Outer wall of the small fortress.

Entrance to the small fortress





Top of the walls that surrounded the inner structure

These were used as offices

"Work Sets You Free"















The only ventalation and light that was allowed in the cells

Storage for personal belongings



One toilet shared by hundreds











Community shower

Cells that would be packed where the people would sleep standing up



All inhabitants were stripped and washed on arrival. They would sit in their wet clothes after receiving their clothing back after fumigation. After walking around bundled up in the snow I can't even imagine what this was like.

Tanks used to fumigate







This was used as a hospital where 5-7 people would share a bed!



A large number of inhabitants were shipped out of Terezin (to their death) to lower the population for a visit from the Red Cross. Below is an example of a shaving room that was built to impress the visitors. The pipes were not hooked up, it was all for show.



The fortress had inner walls that were closed while used during the war. We had the opportunity to walk through them.



There was only one escape attempt in Terezin and it occurred here. The people got away and were never found.

The tunnels





Execution grounds

This is the wall that was used for the execution. The prisoners would be lined up and then shot.

This is one of my favorite shots. It is the water running under a wall.

Gallows

Memorial

Entrance to the execution grounds

A swimming pool was built for the miltary families

Military housing



Another memorial that had soil from each of the concentration camps

60 people would be held in this one cell

600 people would be held in this room

















This is the location of the mass graves. Originally the people that died in the Jewish Ghetto were buried in the mass grave and is estimated to be around 9,000. Later the crematorium was built and according to records it is estimated over 30,000 people were cremated from the Ghetto and the small fortress. The remains were originally stored in paper boxes with their names. The crematorium ran 24 hours a day. These urns were destroyed by the military at the end of the war so there would be no "evidence". Notice the stones that are placed on the markers. The Jewish don't leave flowers, but place small pebbles on graves. Of the 144,000 that passed through Terezin only 17,247 survived. Of the 15,000 children that lived in the group home less than 100 survived.

The crematory. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside.

I'm sure you can imagine we were a very somber group on the bus ride back to Prague.