The Dark History of Decaying Prisons and Military Camps across Europe

Old Prisons and Military Camps in Europe

Old, crumbling prisons and military camps in Europe are a common sight. After all, Europe is chock-a-block with history. Much of it violent, oppressive and tyrannical meaning there are a high number of old prisons and military camps in every country on the continent. Some have been turned into museums and exhibitions but many lie decaying and rotting. Some of these prisons listed here were still in use until the 2000s! These places hold a deep fascination for explorers, historians, photographers and tourists alike and it is important to know and understand the dark history behind these locations.

Goli Otok Prison Island, Croatia

Set amongst the picturesque islands of the Adriatic Sea, lies one of Croatia’s darkest secrets. Goli Otok was initially used by the Austro-Hungarian Empire during WW1 as a location to hold Russian soldiers.

In the mid-20^th century, as Croatia became park of Yugoslavia, Goli Otok became a political prison and labor camp. All those thought to disagree with the Tito regime ended up in here.

By 1956 it is estimated that up to 15,000 people may have been sent to this island prison. As many as 600 are thought to have died from poor conditions and gruesome torture. It’s no surprise then that the place was described in an official CIA report as “Devil’s Island” and as a “living hell” by anyone who was imprisoned there.

The prison functioned right up until the fall of the Iron Curtain in the late 80s. Today, it lies abandoned and decaying. Very few people visit the island but it has been said that the lack of vegetation and the derelict buildings are a poignant reminder of a fallen totalitarian regime.

Patarei Prison, Tallinn, Estonia

This is a building that used to be one of the most feared locations in the country – the former Soviet prison. The complex was completed as an army barracks in 1840 as part of the Russian Empire and in 1919 it was converted into a prison. Patarei Prison was used right up until 2002, when Estonia joined the EU, and the prison closed its doors for good. 

The communist regime in Estonia from 1940-1941 and 1944-1991 imprisoned many people in the fortress, including suspected political opponents. The prison was also used as a forced labor camp by the Nazis from 1941-1944 when they occupied Estonia.

The prison had an execution room where criminals were sentenced to death by hanging. But no mass murders were committed here. At one point, over four thousand prisoners were held within the complex.

The grounds of the prison are still accessible. One side of the prison is overlooking the sea across to Finland. Many lengths of the wire have since been shaped into love hearts as a symbol of solidarity for those who suffered here. The area is deserted and the stillness is chilling. Even on a mild day, the air here is cold.

From outside the building, it is just possible to make out the inside of a cell through the broken glass. The paint is flaking from the walls in chunks, the concrete floor is grey and worn and there is a faint smell of cold, musty stone. 

Walking the grounds of the prison there is definitely a heavy feeling of suffering. The sea air glides through the barbed wire and hits the cold stone walls. It’s easy to see why Estonians still associate this place with “grief, suffering, disgrace and death…”.

Karosta Prison, Liepāja, Latvia  

Karosta Prison is near the town of Liepāja on the Latvian coast. This former Naval Prison now offers guests the chance to stay overnight for an authentic prison experience. If that’s your thing, it costs less than €20 per night for one of the ultimate abandoned prison experience.

The prison was in operation from 1905 to 1997 and it was notoriously easy to end up in there. The Nazis used the prison during their occupation of Latvia in the 1940s. During the Soviet period, anyone thought to be a spy was imprisoned here. There was brutal torture and death throughout the building’s history.

The prison is supposedly haunted and appeared on the show, “Ghost Hunters International.” There have been reports of lightbulbs unscrewing and falling to the ground, people being pushed out of bed and, of course, the classic white lady.

Krampnitz Russian Barracks in Germany

This former Nazi Military complex still lies well intact just west of Germany’s capital, Berlin. Parts of the complex are so well intact, in fact, that it was used in the filming of “Inglorious Bastards”, parts of “Valkyrie” and several others.

This complex flourished as a Cavalry training school after the Hanoverian cavalry school was relocated there in 1937. (LINK 6) During the Second World War, as the focus moved to motorized units, many of the Panzer troops were trained there as well.

After the war, and with the defeat of the Nazis, the Soviets took over from 1945 until the fall of communism in 1991.

The location is very popular with photographers. However, it may not be around for much longer as there are plans to turn the complex into apartments.

Chartreuse Fortifications, Liège, Belgium

Fort de la Chartreuse, was completed by the Dutch in 1823 to defend the city of Liège in (what is now) Belgium. (LINK 8) Several thousand soldiers were barracked there in the late 19^th century. Lacking modern facilities, it was decommissioned in 1891.

During the First World War, the Germans used the fortress to hold political prisoners. Many individuals, thought to be spies, were sent here to be shot.

In the latter part of WW2 te fort was used by the US Army as a military hospital. The Belgian army returned to the fort after the war and remained there until 1988.

Today, the site is open to the public to walk freely amongst the history and it is highly popular with UrbEx fans and photographers.

Sinop Fortress Prison, Turkey

Looking over the Black Sea is a complex that began as a Persian Fortress in the 7^th Century BC. Used later by the Romans and then the Byzantines, it was converted into a dark and dreary dungeon by the Turks in the 1200s. In 1887, the Ottoman Empire began using the building as a prison and added more cells and fortifications.  With walls 3m thick and 11 watch towers, it was not an easy place to escape from!

During the 20^th century many predominant Turkish figures and intellectuals were held here for expressing critical views of the Turkish Republic. Most notable, perhaps, is the Turkish novelist Sabahattin Ali.

Today, the prison is a highly popular tourist attraction. Around half a million guests visited in 2018. Curious visitors can walk the uninhabited grounds, peer through the bent, rusted barbed wire and stand in the cold, empty cells to appreciate the eeriness and history of this place.

Isle Of Procida Jail, Italy

This particular building started out as a palace on a stunning Italian Island. As one of Italy’s most photographed locations, and Island of outstanding beauty, this is the last place you would expect to find an abandoned prison. However, in 1830 the family home became a jail and remained so until its closure in 1988.

In the early days of the prison it was run by Jesuits. They believed in engaging the prisoners in productivity so they could redeem themselves from their sins. Later, during the Second World War, the jail was used to imprison anti-fascist protesters.

Today the prison can be visited as part of a guided tour where you can learn about the political and military history of this Island.

Bodmin Jail, England

This list wouldn’t be complete without an English jail with a dark history. In rural Cornwall lies the 18^th century, granite made, Bodmin Jail. Despite being built in the 1770s, this jail was actually quite civilized for its time. It had segregated cells, separate areas for men and women and it even had hot water!

However, by the 1800s, overcrowding became a problem and more buildings had to be added to accommodate the criminals of Cornwall. The prison was in use until 1927.

Records show that 55 prisoners were executed at Bodmin, 8 of which were women. The crimes included theft, rape and murder. The criminals were executed by hanging and this was often a very public affair with people travelling miles to witness the event. The last hanging took place here in 1909.

The jail is now a museum with some great exhibitions where visitors can learn the history of the area.

Kilmainham Gaol, Ireland

This old jail is of huge significance to Irish history. Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796 and housed many of those who campaigned for Irish independence from the United Kingdom.

Even kids were incarcerated in this jail with the youngest thought to be a mere seven years old. Many of the adult prisoners were held here before being shipped off to Australia as punishment for their crimes.

Hangings took place in the early days of the prison but became less frequent as time went on.

Conditions in the jail were horrific. There were several people held in a single cell, men and women were mixed and the only light and heat source was often just a single candle. This would be incredibly grim especially during a cold, damp Irish winter.

After Irish independence, the jail was abandoned. Today, the jail can be viewed by visitors and there is an exhibit detailing the history of Irish Nationalism.

Wunsdorf Soviet Military Camp Berlin, Germany

Back to Berlin now for an abandoned Soviet camp in the middle of a serene pine forest. Wunsdorf was converted into Nazi headquarters before being taken over by the Soviets after WW2.

The former High Command for Soviet forces in Germany sits about 25 miles from Berlin in what was then the German Democratic Republic. 75,000 Soviet men, women and children once inhabited this mini city. There were shops, leisure facilities and schools in “Little Moscow”. However, it now lies abandoned since the fall of Communism in Europe.

Reports show that soldiers may have left in a hurry with less than 12 hours’ notice. The first people to explore the headquarters after the Soviets left, claim to have seen lunch left abandoned on the tables of the dining hall.

Soviet art, abandoned swimming pools, movie theatres and Lenin statues are a few of the fascinating historical sites that still remain on the complex.

Today it is looked after by one man, Jürgen Naumann. He has access to these off limits buildings and monitors them for disrepair and decay. He also keeps a look out for unwanted visitors. However, photographers can make appointments to be shown around the area.

Prisons and Military Camps in Europe

Its worth exploring the Prisons and Military camps in Europe. There is still much to learn about the brutal history that occurred all over the continent. Many of these places are crumbling and won’t be around forever, so its definitely best to experience them while you still can.

Have you visited any of these Prisons and Military camps in Europe? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!