The building was constructed in 1899 and originally served as the Vilnius District Court before being repurposed for intelligence operations.
The walls of the basement cells still contain original inscriptions carved by prisoners awaiting interrogation or deportation.
During the 1991 January Events, the building briefly served as a site for holding detainees who were involved in the struggle for Lithuanian independence.
The execution room in the basement has been preserved with its original sound-insulating materials still visible on the walls.
Much of the museum's collection was preserved by local families who hid documents and photographs from the KGB during the Soviet era.
The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters is housed in the former KGB headquarters, which served as the operational base for the Gestapo and the NKVD/KGB from 1940 to 1991. The building contains an original internal prison used for the detention, interrogation, and execution of Lithuanian resistance fighters and civilians. Visitors explore the ground floor exhibits covering the Soviet occupation, the Holocaust, and the local resistance movement. The basement floor preserves the original solitary confinement cells and an execution room where prisoners were killed. The facility provides an unvarnished view of the systemic repressions and deportations imposed on the Lithuanian population during the mid-20th century. It remains the only museum of its kind in the Baltic States located in the actual building used by the Soviet secret police. Exhibits include personal effects, documents, and interactive displays detailing the partisan warfare that continued into the 1950s.
The exterior facade featuring the stone tiles engraved with the names of resistance fighters killed during the occupation.
Dedicate extra time to the basement level, as the atmosphere and historical weight are significantly more intense than the upper floors.
Read the provided information panels carefully; they contain detailed historical narratives that provide necessary context to the physical spaces.
Dress in layers, as the basement prison area remains significantly cooler and more damp than the rest of the building.
Attempting to rush through the basement; the emotional and historical weight requires time to process properly.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; always check official status for national holiday closures.
Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor as this site serves as a memorial to victims of political violence.
