On the shores of Tallinn Bay, there is a unique memorial of Estonian history, culture, and architecture. Today, it reminds us of the horrors of political repression and proclaims the unconditional value of human life and freedom. However, this was not always the case. The Patarei Prison or the Battery Prison is one of the most important and terrible sights of Tallinn.

The Patarei was built by the decree of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia as a naval fortress to protect St. Petersburg, which, back then, was the capital of the Russian Empire. The grand opening took place in 1840, although construction works continued for about twenty years. After the defeat in the Crimean War, they used the buildings as barracks for soldiers, and in 1920, they were turned into the central prison.

You probably won’t find a more somber place in Tallinn than the Patarei. During World War II and the Soviet regime, thousands of innocent people were kept here, whose fate remained unknown for a long time. Death sentences were carried out here. Even though the last execution took place in 1991, and the prison itself was closed 20 years ago, the Patarei is still full of feelings of doom, fear, and pain.

Today, the buildings of the former fortress and prison house the exhibition “Communism is a Prison,” which occupies 1,200 square meters and tells about the extensive past of the Patarei. Visitors get acquainted with the history of the landmark from its founding to the present day, study the preserved prison settings, and learn how prisoners lived. They will have a chance to find out what fates they followed and discover the repressive policies of the communist regimes in Europe.

Another good reason to visit the Patarei is that it is the only remaining sample of classicist architecture in Estonia. It is included in the list of national architectural monuments and is protected by the government.