Formerly a protective fortress, Terezín was founded by the Emperor Josef II in 1780: there were two fortification sections, the Small fortress (a citadel) and the Main fortress to the West, surrounded by a walled garrison town with barracks. The resident Habsburg soldiers’ task was to stop military aggressions from the North, between Dresden and Prague.

During World War I, the Small Fortress served as a prison, in World War II, it became a jail of the Prague Gestapo. Later on in 1942, the town was turned into a Jewish ghetto. Your tour will take you to the Small Fortress, memorial and cemetery, and the Ghetto Museum in the Main fortress. One of the featured exhibitions displays personal belongings of former inmates. The experience of visiting a location with such impressive history often leaves a deep impression on its visitors.

Photo: Czechtourism