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Karosta Prison: A Chilling Journey into Latvia's Dark Past

Experience the chilling history of Latvia's Karosta Prison: a former military prison turned museum, hotel, and extreme tourism destination.

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Karosta Prison in Liepāja, Latvia, offers a unique and unsettling glimpse into military and Soviet history. Built around 1900, this former prison housed revolutionaries, deserters, and enemies of the state, and now operates as a museum, hotel, and event space, offering guided tours and immersive experiences.

A brief summary to Karosta Prison

Local tips

  • Book your tour or immersive experience in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure availability.
  • Dress warmly, as the prison can be cold and damp, especially during the colder months.
  • Consider taking a guided tour to fully understand the prison's history and significance.
  • If you're interested in the "Extreme Night" experience, be prepared for a physically and mentally challenging experience.
  • Check the opening hours and tour schedules before your visit, as they vary depending on the season.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the center of Karosta, the prison is easily accessible on foot. Head south on Invalīdu iela. The prison will be on your left at Invalīdu iela 4. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes. No costs are associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    From Liepāja city center, take bus number 22 from Peter's Market to Karosta. Get off at a stop near Turaidas iela. From there, walk north on Turaidas iela, then turn left onto Invalīdu iela. The prison will be on your right. A single bus fare is approximately €1-2. Bus schedules can be checked at the Liepāja public transport website.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Liepāja. A taxi ride from the city center to Karosta Prison will take approximately 10-15 minutes and cost around €5-10. Be sure to confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

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Discover more about Karosta Prison

Karosta Prison, located in Liepāja, Latvia, stands as a haunting reminder of the region's turbulent past. Constructed around 1900, it served as a military prison under the Tsarist regime, later becoming a place of incarceration and suffering under Soviet and Nazi rule. The prison is the only military prison in Europe open to tourists. Throughout its history, Karosta Prison has held a variety of inmates, including revolutionaries, sailors, non-commissioned officers, and perceived enemies of the state. Political prisoners were frequently incarcerated here during the Soviet era. During World War II, the Nazis used the prison as a detention center and execution site. After the war, the Soviets continued to use it as a naval base, with the KGB operating within its walls until Latvia regained independence in 1997. Today, Karosta Prison offers visitors a chillingly authentic experience. Guided tours take you through the prison's corridors, cells, and solitary confinement areas, little changed since the time of the Tsars. Visitors can learn about the prison's history and hear spooky stories about prison life. For a more immersive experience, thrill-seekers can participate in the reality show "Behind Bars," attempt to escape the "Escape Room," or even spend a night in a prison cell. Karosta Prison is also known for its paranormal activity, with some visitors claiming to have encountered the "Ghost of the Lady in White," a woman said to have been wrongfully imprisoned. Whether you're drawn by history, thrills, or the supernatural, Karosta Prison promises an unforgettable journey into the shadows of the past.

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