Terezín, known in German as Theresienstadt, was one of the most unique and misunderstood sites within the Nazi concentration camp system. Often labeled a “ghetto,” it was in reality a hybrid between a transit camp, a labor camp, and a tool of psychological and physical destruction. It cannot be compared to the typical ghettos established in occupied Poland—conditions in Terezín were often far worse, especially during its most overcrowded periods.
When visiting Terezín today, people encounter two main parts:
- The Small Fortress served as a Gestapo prison. Here, political prisoners, resistance fighters, and people of many backgrounds—including Jews, Roma, clergy, and intellectuals—were imprisoned, tortured, and often executed.
- The Large Fortress, or the main town of Terezín, was transformed by the Nazis into a “model” ghetto-camp for Jews. Over 140,000 Jews were deported here, including people from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now the Czech Republic), but also from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and elsewhere.
At its worst point, over 58 000 people were crammed into a town originally built for around 7 000 inhabitants. Disease, starvation, and overcrowding were constant threats. People lived in inhumane conditions—in attics, cellars, stables, and makeshift dormitories.
The camp also became a destination for elderly Jews from Nazi Germany, many of whom perished due to neglect, hunger, or illness. One documented case describes the murder of a 101-year-old prisoner—a brutal example of the Nazis’ disregard for human life.
The Red Cross Visit – and the Deception
Terezín is perhaps most widely known for a propaganda event staged by the Nazis in 1944, when the International Red Cross was invited to inspect the camp. In preparation, the Nazis cosmetically improved parts of the ghetto—setting up fake shops, painting buildings, organizing concerts and sports events. The goal was to portray Terezín as a self-governing, relatively humane Jewish town.
The illusion was effective. The Red Cross issued a favorable report, and the Nazis even produced a propaganda film showing “happy” Jews living in Terezín. Most of those who appeared in the film were later deported to Auschwitz and murdered.
A Forgotten Chapter That Deserves Recognition
Despite its historical importance, Terezín is often overlooked in Holocaust education and remembrance. It was not a death camp in the traditional sense, but it played a critical role as a transit camp and propaganda tool—and as a site of suffering, death, and cultural resistance. Many artists, musicians, and intellectuals passed through Terezín, leaving behind a haunting legacy of poems, drawings, and music created under oppression.
Terezín deserves greater recognition within the broader narrative of the Holocaust—not only as a place of pain but also as a testament to human resilience.
My Research and Testimony Projects
As an accredited guide for Terezín, I regularly take visitors through this deeply complex site, revealing its hidden layers and helping people understand its role in the Holocaust.
Beyond guiding, I am historian focused on documenting the stories of Terezín survivors. I am currently working on a book about a remarkable survivor of Terezín, Auschwitz, and Dachau—a man I had the honor of knowing personally. I conducted many hours of interviews with him, and his story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
My broader goal is to locate Terezín survivors around the world, preserve their testimonies, and ensure their voices are not lost. These are not just historical documents—they are warnings, memories, and lessons that belong in classrooms, museums, and public consciousness.