Terezín is a former military fortress composed of the citadel and adjacent walled garrison town of Litoměřice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants.
Geography
The town is located in North Bohemia, along the Ohře River, near its confluence with the Elbe River at Litoměřice.
Terezín today
After the related war uses, such as for holding ethnic Germans to be expelled, the government retained a military garrison until 1996. The troops’ departure and closing down of related operations had a negative effect on the local economy of the small town.
Terezín is still trying to develop a more diverse economy; some people think its history can attract heritage tourism. In 2002, the fortress, which was in a deteriorated condition, was listed in the 2002 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund.
The organization called for a comprehensive conservation plan, while providing funding for emergency repairs from American Express. In 2002 the town was struck by floods during which the crematorium was damaged.
A conservation plan was eventually developed in cooperation with national authorities. According to the Fund, a long-term conservation plan was conceived, which includes further repairs, documentation, and archaeological research.
In mid-April 2008, 327 bronze grave markers were stolen from the Jewish cemetery; another 700 were stolen the following week. The high price of metal encouraged the vandalizing thieves. Some grave markers were recovered.
Economy
Terezín is noted for its production of furniture and knitwear, as well as for manufacturing.
Notable people
- Alexander Ypsilantis (1792–1828), leader of the Greek revolution of 1821
- Pauline Metzler-Löwy (1853–1921), Austrian contralto singer
- Gavrilo Princip (1894–1918), assassin of Franz Ferdinand
- Zuzana Růžičková (1927–2017), harpsichordist
