Památník holokaustu Romů a Sintů v Čechách
Memorial on the site of the camp for Roma and Sinti in Lety near Písek, with an exhibition in the visitor centre, a memory trail and a memorial circle bearing the names of the prisoners.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The memorial stands on the site where a protectorate camp for Roma and Sinti operated in 1942–1943. It commemorates the victims of the Romani and Sinti Holocaust. The first memorial was created in 1995 at a mass grave near the camp, designed by the painter Z. Hůla. For a long time, however, a large pig-fattening farm stood on the site of the camp, and the question of its removal was the subject of lengthy disputes about how the past should be commemorated.
The state bought the farm on the basis of a contract from November 2017, which took effect in February 2018. Demolition took place in 2022, and the new memorial was completed in 2024. It was ceremonially opened on 23 April 2024 and to the public on 12 May 2024. The architectural design of the site was created by Jan Sulzer and TERRA FLORIDA; the permanent exhibition was prepared by Petr Petkovský and MUZEA SERVIS, and the visitor centre was designed by the studio stempel&tesar.
The memorial includes a visitor centre with a permanent exhibition about the place, the life of Roma and Sinti before the war, internment, the transports, the testimonies of survivors and post-war memory. Outdoors, visitors are guided by a memory trail and a memorial circle bearing the names of the prisoners. It is run by the Muzeum romské kultury (Museum of Romani Culture).
Highlights
- permanent exhibition Paměť místa a místo paměti (Memory of the Place and Place of Memory), with a timeline and 16 information points
- documentary films and testimonies of witnesses
- outdoor memory trail with eight stops and audio recordings
- memorial circle with the names of 1,294 people who suffered in the camp
- educational trail and educational programmes for schools
Permanent exhibitions
- Paměť místa a místo paměti – The permanent exhibition in the visitor centre shows, on a timeline and through interactive points, the life of Roma and Sinti before the war, internment in 1942, life in the camp, the transports, the testimonies of survivors and post-war disputes about the memory of the place. It includes documentary films.
- Stezka paměti – Outdoor circular route with eight stops, audio recordings, images and texts. It connects to the memorial circle with the names of the prisoners and is accessible all year round.
- Founded
- 2024
- Operated by
- Muzeum romské kultury
- Director
- Petra Kochová
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 100 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 50 Kčyoung people aged 13 to 18, seniors from 60 and students up to 26 (on presentation of documents) |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 11 · Children under 12 enter free; young people aged 13 to 18 pay reduced admission. |
| Seniors | 50 KčReduced admission from 60 years of age, on presentation of documents. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeHolders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | 50 KčReduced admission up to 26 years of age, on presentation of a student card. |
| Families | 180 KčHolders of a valid Family Pass receive a 15% discount on the family ticket. |
| Educational programme Paměť místa a místo paměti (group of up to 50 people) | 3,000 KčLasts 180 minutes; must be booked at least 5 days in advance. |
| Guided tour of the site for schools and institutions (per person) | 40 KčAccompanying teacher enters free; group of up to 30 people, 60–120 minutes. |
The outdoor area (memory trail, memorial circle, makeshift cemetery) is free of charge. Admission to the exhibition is also free for accompanying teachers of school groups, holders of AMG and ICOM cards, journalists with a press card and holders of some other professional cards.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The car park has two spaces reserved for wheelchair users, and a paved asphalt and concrete path leads from the car park to the gate. The paths on the site are concrete or made of compacted gravel, and the terrain rises slightly towards the memorial circle. The main entrance to the visitor centre is formed by glazed double doors with manual opening (each leaf 80 cm wide); next to it is a service entrance 90 cm wide. The exhibition and the multifunction hall have no steps, but there is no lift or platform lift. The reception desk is high, but staff will come out from behind the desk and help with payment or communication. A separate accessible toilet is in the visitor centre. A detailed description is available for download on the memorial’s website.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kids
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 180 Kč · Holders of a valid Family Pass receive a 15% discount on the family ticket. |
The memorial commemorates the genocide of Roma and Sinti. Educational programmes are intended for pupils in grades 8 and 9 of primary schools and for secondary school students; no age limit is set for children. The family ticket costs CZK 180.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The car park has 33 spaces for cars and 3 spaces for coaches; two spaces are reserved for wheelchair users.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Non-commercial photography and filming are permitted, but may be temporarily restricted; commercial filming requires the written consent of the museum director. |
| Good to know | Guided tours and educational programmes are offered on request and after prior booking, mainly from Monday to Wednesday in the main season. Dogs (except guide dogs) and other animals may not enter the buildings. Flying drones is prohibited on the site; eating and drinking are not allowed in the exhibition, the multifunction hall or the memorial area. Entry to the part of the memorial circle with the names of the prisoners is prohibited. A site plan is available in PDF format. |
