New VR project lets users explore Czechia's historic Terezín from anywhere

Visitors no longer need to travel to the Ústí nad Labem Region to walk the streets of Terezín. A newly launched virtual reality project now offers an immersive 3D model of the historic fortress town, allowing users to explore its architecture, streets and history from anywhere in the world.

Developed by the Ústí nad Labem Region, the VR app uses drone and laser scanning to produce a highly detailed model. The result strips away modern elements like cars and street signs, revealing the town much as it might have appeared in earlier centuries.

“Virtual Terezín is not just a technological attraction, but an engaging tool for education and for promoting the region,” said regional governor Richard Brabec. “It allows us to present a unique fortress town in its full beauty and history – interactive, engaging, and accessible.”

The VR app offers users the ability to move freely through the fortress, switching between street-level and aerial views. The model features 15 notable locations, each with commentary in Czech, English, and German, accompanied by historical photographs. Users can study the town’s 18th-century fortifications, explore hidden corners, and view its surroundings for broader historical context.

“This application connects history, technology and modern education,” said Jan Jelínek, head of the regional IT department.

“We are targeting schools, tourists, and the wider public interested in Terezín. The advantage is that the model is available anytime and from anywhere, making it an excellent tool for presenting not only the town but the entire Ústí nad Labem Region.”

The project cost the region about CZK 1.3 million to develop, covering scanning, software creation and maintenance. The VR experience is available for Meta Quest 2 and newer headsets, free to download on the Meta Store under the name “Usti Region.”

Founded in 1780 by Emperor Joseph II as a defensive stronghold against Prussia, Terezín has a complex and often tragic history.

Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi authorities used the town’s garrison and civilian buildings to house more than 155,000 Jews from across Europe in the Terezín ghetto. Many perished there or were deported to extermination camps. After the war, the site was used by the Czechoslovak Army.

Today, Terezín is both a preserved architectural monument and a place of remembrance. The new VR model offers a way to experience its layers of history without physically visiting, a feature that could prove especially valuable for schools and institutions abroad.

The regional government and the town have also established an association focused on preserving and revitalizing Terezín’s monuments. National support for the town includes nearly CZK 1.5 billion over the next decade, with the Ústí nad Labem Region contributing about CZK 700 million.