The facility was originally constructed in 1900 as an infirmary but was converted into a prison shortly thereafter.
During the Nazi occupation, the prison served as a facility for German deserters and local resistance members.
The prison was never officially stormed or taken by force; all regimes that used it simply handed over control to their successors.
The interior retains the original graffiti carved into cell walls by inmates over several decades.
It is situated within the larger Karosta district, a sprawling former closed military zone that occupies one-third of the city of Liepāja.
The prison is officially recognized by Latvian paranormal investigators as one of the most haunted sites in the Baltic region.
Inmates were subjected to intense psychological pressure, often kept in total darkness for long periods.
The building's heavy, red-brick construction was typical of the late Tsarist military architecture style.
Karosta Prison is the only military prison in Europe open to the public as a museum. Located in the former secret Soviet military town of Karosta in Liepāja, the facility served as a disciplinary detention center for naval personnel from 1905 until 1997. The building retains its original layout, including solitary confinement cells, interrogation rooms, and heavy iron doors. Visitors can choose between standard historical guided tours or immersive overnight 'prison experiences' involving mock arrests and interrogations. The museum documents the history of the Tsarist, Nazi, and Soviet occupations through original artifacts and displays. Its austere, unrenovated architecture serves as a visceral example of 20th-century punitive military life.
The solitary confinement cells featuring the original iron cots and stark, graffiti-marked brick walls.
Bring a warm jacket even in summer, as the thick masonry walls remain cold and damp year-round.
Book the immersive 'prison experience' in advance if you want to participate in the interactive role-playing activities.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the uneven concrete floors and narrow staircases safely.
Do not wander outside the designated tour zones, as parts of the surrounding military district contain unstable structures and debris.
The prison operates on a seasonal schedule, with significantly reduced availability and limited guided tour frequency during the winter months.
Participants in the immersive tours must follow the instructions of the 'guards' and remain in character throughout the session.
