Terezin

The last piece of World War II history we visited was the town of Terezin. The town is a fortress that was built long long ago by Maria Tereza to protect the royal family in the event that Prussia invaded the Czech lands. After that never happened, it just became a normal town until the Nazi's took it over, since it was an ideal location for a concentration camp. 

"work makes you free"

This was one of the first concentration camps put into use, and was in use even before Auschwitz was built. It's purpose was to literally concentrate the Jews until they figured out what to do with them next. It was not a death camp like Auschwitz (meaning they did not have facilities for or clear intent for killing) but still many died because of the living conditions. 

Terezin was the model camp that the Nazis showed to the Red Cross upon their inquires into the living conditions of the camps. They cleaned up parts of it and made it look like a fun little Jewish town, and apparently their trick worked.

The place had an interesting feel to it. Since it used to be a fortress, it was fun to explore. Even had secret underground tunnels we got to do in. 

But I guess after Auschwitz it seemed not too bad, even though awful things happened there too.  I guess we're a little numb. 

Terezin Memorial garden