We booked a semi-private tour with Terezin Private Tours and Pavel Batel. Pavel is an incredible historian and a phenomenal guide. His knowledge of Terezin must surely make him the leading expert on this topic and to have him escort us and relate the less commonly known history of Terezin was a privilege. This is a sobering experience that leaves one reflecting on society and life. This tour with Pavel is the one tour that should definitely be done if visiting Terezin.

Terezin Memorial is a real must visit place. It consists of two parts. On the one hand, the former garrison town, surrounded by a complex of fortifications and bastions. Under Nazi rule, the residents had to leave and make way for a ghetto, where Jews were gathered awaiting deportation and certain death. Next to the garrison town is the 'little fortress', used as a military prison under Habsburg rule. This includes the cell of Gavrilo Princip, who shot the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.

What a place! So much history - a lot from WWII of course, but the fortress is much older than that, and other prisoners had been held in the Small Fortress including the assassins of Archduke Franz Ferdinand who triggered WWI. We got ourselves there (metro to Letnany and the 413 bus to Terazin) so had a lot of flexibility to wander round and soak it all in. If we hadn't gone on a Saturday, more things would have been open, but there was still more to do than we had time and energy for.

This is a difficult but important place to witness firsthand . Our guide, Markéta Žižková brought the history to life through her knowledge of the town and its fortress in the 18th century to the time under Nazi control when it served the role as a ghetto, with cultural activities promoting Nazi propaganda and as a stop on the way to death camps. Markéta shared stories of resilience and defiance by the prisoners as evidenced by artwork and covert documentation of camp life. Terezinstadt is a sad but important landmark in our visit to the Czech Republic; Markéta as our guide helped make our visit a more profound and moving experience. Jack and Marti Bruno

Pavel Batel was our excellent guide at Terezín Memorial in October 2024. He was personable, knowledgeable, and passionate. We've experienced many fine guides. Pavel was one of the best. Also, after visiting Auschwitz twice and several American Holocaust Memorials, I believe this tour was my favorite because I learned so much.

My wife and I toured Terezin Ghetto and Concentration Camp with Pavel Batel for a full day. His personal presentation and knowledge of the subject matter was outstanding. Every tour guide and story teller has their own stories and areas of emphasis. Pavel's tour continues to resonate with us. Much more than a pure academic tour. The logistics were very easy to set up and very flexible. It was a semi-private tour with a couple of people from LA and one from Australia. Perfect. Highly recommended.