Patarei Prison, Tallinn, Estonia

Patarei Prison is a building complex in Kalamaja district of Tallinn, Estonia. The premises cover approximately four hectares of a former sea fortress and prison, located on the shore of Tallinn Bay.

The fort was built from 1830–1837 as part of the fortifications for the tsarist Russian state. The building order was given by emperor Nicholas I. In 1864, Tallinn was removed from Russian Empire’s list of fortresses due to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, and the fort was converted into barracks.

The Republic of Estonia, which declared independence in 1918, reconstructed it as a prison after World War I. In 1919, the fort's main function became a prison, lasting until 2005.

For Estonians, Patarei is one of the most prominent symbols of Soviet and Nazi political terror.

In 2018, the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory launched preparations to establish a museum of crimes of communism and an accompanying international research centre in Tallinn. The museum is planned to an approximately 5,000 square meter area in the eastern part of the building and is scheduled to open in 2025.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Daniil Karpenko (2 years ago)
A deep dive into atmosphere of Gulag. If you want to get a feeling what it was like to be behind the bars in the Soviet prison, this the place.

Nikos Gkekas (3 years ago)
It is a "sad" place where lots of people suffered during the last century. It is one of the places where you have to visit in order not to forget the past and be careful not to make the same mistakes in the future.

Solid Solid (3 years ago)
Unique experience of visiting a prison used by the communist regime. Its not just a prison, but a museum detailing the horrors which happened behind closed doors. A lot of information about the prisoners which were housed here, but only those which were jailed for political reasons. The museum is quite short, so don’t rush through it expecting a full prison tour.

&Tilly [andtillycom] (3 years ago)
We loved the experience. Authentic, large enough to spend some time in, while not as large as to nit be able to enjoy. I took a few pics that are fantastic for wallpapers and left emotionally shaken and wanting to remember. Definitely a must see in Talinn.

JT (4 years ago)
Very good exhibition with text and pictures. Must see as part of history of Estonia and all baltic countries. Reachable by bus tours or walk

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Patarei Prison

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus