Karosta Prison Travel Guide

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.