Patarei prison museum

Patarei jail is not a regular museum. It’s old, noir and moist. Not very pleasant place to be for years and years and years… You have good opportunity to peek into the cells and many other rooms of that huge fortress.

Patarei is unique and grim remnant from our past. USSR still exists between these walls.You can see history in every part of that building. Old documents and newspapers, posters of long forgotten movies and dead plants are just short list.

It might not be very ethical to take visitors to the places like hanging room. But at least it makes people think about the horror of our past. It also makes them feel good about their/our freedom.

Did you know that…

• Construction of the Patarei Prison started in 1829 and was finished in 1840.

• The prison was notorious for its remarkably poor conditions.

• In 2002, the prison’s last inmates were moved to Tartu

• Until 2004 it worked partly as prison hospital.

• Patarei prison was originally a sea fortress.

• Last death penalty took place in 1991.

• ”Patarei” means battery in Estonian

Related links:
Experience of Over Under
Janno Lepind’s gallery
Turismiweb’s gallery
Patarei’s homepage

Come! Make your own “prison break” - book a tour to Patarei!