The Ghetto Museum is located in a building that served as a school for local children before the town was turned into a ghetto.
The Nazis used Terezín as a 'model ghetto' to deceive the International Red Cross during a 1944 inspection visit.
Over 15,000 children passed through the Terezín Ghetto, but fewer than 150 survived the war.
The museum holds an extensive collection of secret drawings created by children, which were hidden and later recovered.
Terezín was originally a military fortress town built in the late 18th century by Emperor Joseph II, named after his mother, Empress Maria Theresa.
The Ghetto Museum specifically highlights the cultural life of prisoners, including secret concerts and plays held under extreme conditions.
Many of the items on display were donated by former prisoners who returned to the site after liberation.
The archives contain the transport lists that document the names of the nearly 88,000 people deported from Terezín to extermination camps.
The exhibition space features interactive elements that explain how the town's population was forced out to create room for Jewish deportees.
The Terezín Memorial Ghetto Museum is the primary exhibition site of the former Nazi concentration camp located in the Terezín fortress town. It is housed in a former school building, focusing specifically on the history of the Terezín Ghetto between 1941 and 1945. The museum displays authentic artifacts, original documents, and artistic works created by prisoners during their internment. It serves as a central hub for understanding the propaganda mechanisms used by the Nazis, particularly regarding the 'model ghetto' facade. The exhibitions provide deep insight into the daily living conditions, hunger, disease, and the systematic deportations to extermination camps. Extensive collections of drawings and poetry produced by children in the ghetto are preserved here. The site acts as a research institution dedicated to documenting the Holocaust in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Visitors can access a specialized library and a film screening room for archival footage. The museum serves as both an educational center and a permanent monument to the victims.
The courtyard and the exterior facade of the historic school building offer a somber yet clear perspective of the site.
Plan to visit the Small Fortress and the Crematorium on the same day to gain a comprehensive understanding of the site.
Use the provided educational materials or audio guides to provide necessary historical context to the exhibits.
Allow time for quiet reflection, as the subject matter is emotionally demanding.
Do not attempt to see all memorial sites in a single hour; rushing prevents proper engagement with the sensitive history of the location.
Closed on December 24th, 25th, and 26th; open daily during the rest of the year.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor throughout the museum; photography for personal use is permitted, but avoid flash in designated exhibition rooms.
