The renovation of the Žižkov barracks could bring new inhabitants to Terezín.

Ústí nad Labem - The leadership of the Ústí Region hopes that investment in the Žižkov Barracks and other historical buildings in poor condition in Terezín in the Litoměřicko region will lead to new residents moving to Terezín. There is interest in apartments in the Litoměřicko area, as the district is near Prague. This was said today to journalists by Governor Jan Schiller (ANO) and his councilor Tomáš Rieger (ODS).

The state has approved support for Terezín over the next ten years amounting to nearly 1.5 billion crowns. Over the next ten years, the region will contribute a total of around 700 million crowns. This year, repairs on the armory should begin, with barracks renovations planned for next year.

"It's not just because our building is falling apart and we want to save it, but we need to save the spirit of the place," said Schiller. The army left Terezín in the mid-90s. The city gradually declined, its residents left, and services were reduced. "The city started to die," Rieger added.

Terezín has just under 3,000 inhabitants, down from about one and a half times that in the past. "Now we need to start building a strategic development plan for the city, primarily focused on the future use of not only the renovated buildings," outlined Rieger’s further steps. The plan should evaluate the condition of the buildings and the future development and use of the fortification city's location with an emphasis on multifunctional use. "It's not a solution for these buildings to become additional storage facilities and for the city to remain essentially dead and repaired. We need to bring life to the city," the councilor said. According to him, private investors will also come after the arrival of new residents.

The fortification cities of Terezín and Josefov were built in the 18th century by Emperor Joseph II as a defense against incursions from Prussia. They consisted of complexes with extensive underground areas and a complex above-ground section that served for housing troops and conducting battles. During World War II, Terezín became a symbol of persecution and genocide when the Nazis established a Gestapo prison and a Jewish ghetto there.

In December 1941, prisoners began to be placed in the barracks, starting with women and their children. Part of the vast space served during these horrific times as a social space, and alongside cultural events, the barracks became famous primarily for football. "As far as I know, there have been and still are voices suggesting that the Žižkov barracks should be demolished. That would be a crime with international consequences," said Tomáš Kraus, director of the Terezín Initiative Institute. He added that there will be a commemoration of the football played in the ghetto in September, which was initiated by the Saxon party.