It is a far cry from the beauty of the Monet gardens to the horror of Terezin, a concentration camp just outside Prague. These bathrooms look very good - but these were always locked, except for when the Red Cross came, and then the inmates were allowed to use them for a day or so. Terezin was the model camp created by the Nazi as a publicity stunt. What a shame the publicity stunt was only for a few days a year.
The buildings here had begun life as an army barracks in the 19th century being between the base of two arms of the Germanic Empire, then a gaol at the turn of the century. This cell was famous for housing the young man Princeps who shot Arch Duke Ferdinand and precipitated the First World War. Normally a man would be shot for treason, but being under 21, he was housed here. (He died aged 26)
Work will make you free. The sign of hope that greeted the inmates. Terezin was filled early in the war and few had heard of the atrocities that might befall them. They were duped into thinking that their deportation to Terezin was a good thing.
The field outside is huge, filled with graves of those known to die here. Many have small pebbles on them bought by relatives from their homeland as is a Jewish tradition
But not all were Jewish and the Christians who were unlucky enough to come to this place - mainly Czech who had disobeyed in some way were also buried here.
A huge cemetery for such a short time.
And just remember that because it was a model camp their were no gas chambers here. All these people died of malnutrition and disease through poor hygiene.
We were all totally relaxed as we entered, and quite numb when we came out.
These bunks held 30 when the Red Cross came and up to 90 for the rest of the year.
Our guide was passionate about her job. Here she tells us about the holding pen for new arrivals. They were stripped naked and up to 50 people crammed in here. They took turns to stand,sit or lie down. If two people had died by morning they were moved into the camp. If not they were held for a longer period. The first two to step out of line would be shot. It seemed so hopeless for them, but everywhere there were tiny signs of tenacity which held them on until the next Red Cross visit.
The washing area was needed to try and keep the lice at bay. Clothes were washed, inmates were hosed and then they dressed in their wet clothes.
The buildings here had begun life as an army barracks in the 19th century being between the base of two arms of the Germanic Empire, then a gaol at the turn of the century. This cell was famous for housing the young man Princeps who shot Arch Duke Ferdinand and precipitated the First World War. Normally a man would be shot for treason, but being under 21, he was housed here. (He died aged 26)
Work will make you free. The sign of hope that greeted the inmates. Terezin was filled early in the war and few had heard of the atrocities that might befall them. They were duped into thinking that their deportation to Terezin was a good thing.
The field outside is huge, filled with graves of those known to die here. Many have small pebbles on them bought by relatives from their homeland as is a Jewish tradition
But not all were Jewish and the Christians who were unlucky enough to come to this place - mainly Czech who had disobeyed in some way were also buried here.
A huge cemetery for such a short time.
And just remember that because it was a model camp their were no gas chambers here. All these people died of malnutrition and disease through poor hygiene.
We were all totally relaxed as we entered, and quite numb when we came out.
These bunks held 30 when the Red Cross came and up to 90 for the rest of the year.
Our guide was passionate about her job. Here she tells us about the holding pen for new arrivals. They were stripped naked and up to 50 people crammed in here. They took turns to stand,sit or lie down. If two people had died by morning they were moved into the camp. If not they were held for a longer period. The first two to step out of line would be shot. It seemed so hopeless for them, but everywhere there were tiny signs of tenacity which held them on until the next Red Cross visit.
The washing area was needed to try and keep the lice at bay. Clothes were washed, inmates were hosed and then they dressed in their wet clothes.We were then taken into Terezin township where Jews from Denmark and some of the Scandinavian Countries were held under "house arrest"
We went to a museum which featured the many pictures of a young girl which were found in the attic of one of the schoolrooms which sprang up.
We went to a museum which featured the many pictures of a young girl which were found in the attic of one of the schoolrooms which sprang up.
A sad and sobering experience.
