Karosta Military Prison Museum
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The Karosta Prison in Liepāja is the only military prison in Europe open to tourists. Constructed around 1900 for the needs of a hospital, the building was never used for its original purpose. The structure was repurposed as a place for serving temporary disciplinary punishment and was used as such up until 1997.
Powers changed but the purpose of the institution remained the same, namely, to house prisoners, including revolutionaries, sailors and non-commissioned officers of the Russian tsarist army, German deserters, enemies of the people of the Stalin era, as well as soldiers of the Soviet and Latvian armies. The Karosta Prison is currently open to visitors and guided tours are available. The tours show the prison and visitors can learn about its history, have a look at the prison and punishment cells and hear interesting and even ghostly tales about life at the prison. Braver souls have the opportunity to play the ‘Behind the Bars’ reality game or try to get out of closed rooms. And those who know no fear can spend the night in a prison cell. The Karosta Prison has a Karosta Visitor Centre, a Soviet-era buffet and a souvenir shop. The services of a guide are available throughout the whole of Karosta.
Educational programs
The show "Behind bars"
"Behind Bars" is a historical reality show with audience participation. It is based on true stories from the life of the Karosta warden. The essence and purpose of the performance is to allow each participant to assume the role of a prisoner and get acquainted with the most interesting and shocking facts from the history of the prison.
Tour of Karosta prison
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to see the prison, which has hardly changed since the time of the tsar, to learn about the history of Karosta and interesting events from the life of the prison, to see the cells and cells, as well as to get to know the expositions of the Karosta prison museum, which tells about World War II, the Kurelians, the Soviet times.
The spy game "Escape from the USSR"
The idea of the game is to give the participants the opportunity to actively participate - to think, search, run, hide, make decisions, help friends, enjoy feelings that are not easy to find in today's organized everyday life. The game takes place in the Northern Forts - underground and above ground.
Tour with elements of the show
An excursion with elements of the show is an event for those who want something more than an ordinary excursion and who are afraid to participate in the show "Behind Bars"! During the tour, you must observe discipline, you must participate in the training of the rank and file, you may be placed in a cell, but in case of disobedience you will be punished.
Related timeline
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Ghost of Karosta Prison.
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