I wanted to visit Terezin the holocaust concentration camp, about 60km north of Prague Czech Republic. I don’t know why I wanted to go. I have lived most of my life in Britain and all the Wars in Europe have had less of an importance on our local culture. I first noticed the big difference while living in Vienna. Jokes were not made on this subject, unlike home were it was fairly common.
So I drove out of Prague and headed north to Terezin, once past Melnik it is a beautiful drive through quiet Czech countryside. However the chat in the car was unusually subdued, Czech’s don’t like to talk about this place much either, they were looking forward to fulfilling my wishes and moving on quickly. To that end we did not spend much time in Terezin.
On arrival we visited the Terezin Ghetto Museum. We had driven through many little bustling towns; however Terezin has lost its soul. Getting out of the car we at once noticed the quietness and lack of people in what was a reasonably large town – but yes, who would want to live here, to play here, to grow up here?
At least 15,000 children died here.
I walked into the Terezin Ghetto Museum, paid my entrance fee, turned left, and immediately was stunned by life size pictures of children from the camp. I cried.
There are notices around the Museum telling you not to take any photos. I took many and you can see them on this web site. I disagree completely with their sentiment regarding photos – I think that everyone should be made to take a photo and display it at their workplace or somewhere in their home. It is just too easy to forget what we are all capable of doing to each other.
After a few hours walking around the town I wanted to escape – and I could…
Read more on the Terezin Ghetto Concentration Camp here.
Read more on the Terezin Crematorium here