Based on the medieval model of forcing Jewish populations to live in segregated quarters, the Nazis created ghettos. But Nazi ghettos were different. Ghettos were an integral part of the evolving program of mass murder, designed not only to imprison the Jewish population but also to impose upon them conditions that would lead to mass death.
In the city of Terezin, the Theresienstadt camp-ghetto was established in a former military fort north of Prague. Theresienstadt served several purposes: it was a transit camp, a labor camp and a ghetto.
Living in ghettos caused thousands of Jews to die from starvation, disease and other forms of neglect and abuse.
Despite the miserable conditions, Jewish culture thrived in many ghettos. Through academic lectures, musical and theatrical performances, art exhibits, and poetry readings, Jewish culture flourished in Theresienstadt.
Many renowned thinkers and artists were imprisoned in Theresienstadt, and this created a unique environment. Some survivors credit these creative outlets as contributing to their survival. The drawing above of a violin and sheet music behind bars, was drawn by Bedrich Fritta. Fritta, a renowned artist, gave this illustration to his son as a birthday present. The sunlight outside the prison bars represents hope.