The building of the former Austro-Hungarian gendarmerie in the neo-Renaissance style, converted into a museum. In the Soviet period, the NKVD department was located on its territory, during the Second World War - the Gestapo headquarters, until 1991 - the NKVD pre-trial detention center (hereinafter - the KGB), until 2009 - the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The museum opened in 2009 at the initiative of the SBU. Its exposition is dedicated to the victims of occupation regimes that existed at different times in Western Ukraine.
Address:
Stepana Bandery Street, 1, L'viv
Phone:
+380 94 847 4220
Comment
02.05.23
Peter
Very powerful display. Critical that places like this are preserved. We always hope that through education, history will not be repeated.
Only the first level was open. Upper levels, basement and courtyard not open. Still worth the visit though. Shor.. Read more »t walk from downtown.
25.12.21
Lucas
In the first room on your left, you can find 2 binders with a lot of information in English.
Very authentic and moving place. Highly recommended.
04.09.21
garrick
Had a very informative and interesting trip to this prison museum. The local guide provided by the establishment spoke reasonable English, she was able to explain in-depth the history and horrors of the site and it’s occupants.
Entry and a gui.. Read more »ded tour and were free. You can see the passion and pride the guide had in her work and the history she was explaining. Highly recommend.
30.08.21
Doug
A must see while in Lviv. I have a much greater appreciation for the Ukrainian people and the struggles they have endured for so many decades. They have an English document you can read as you walk through the prison.
12.07.21
Steve
Very personal, very real. Curators have a story to tell, and they work hard to convey that story with limited resources.
An English pamphlet is available but it doesn't tie to exhibits in any meaningful way (e.g., numbered descriptions, caption.. Read more »s), so museum can be tough to follow. But it's a prison, so walking through looking at photos, you get the gist.
I had the good fortune of having one of the founders of the museum walk me around and explain in English what I didn't quite grasp from the English writeup. That put this museum in context and made it special. If this is available to you, take the opportunity.
24.02.21
Judge
Criminal revisionism. Arrest everyone connected with this establishment.
14.09.20
Mia
This is an interesting place to visit. Highly recommend
21.01.20
Vaida
Authentic prison, where thousand of political prisoners were killed in 1941. Incredible experience. It's free. A must visit place.
31.12.19
Erica
Super interesting place. Definitely worth visiting.
04.12.19
Mick
Very interesting, but having a guide who speaks English would improve the experience
04.11.19
Vasyl
An incredible and free to visit place, first floor is all about thousands of people killed in this and similar prisons by Polish and Bolshevik special forces, everything is really atmospheric, red sparking light in communistic room and darkness in ro.. Read more »om where prisoners were photographed for documents. Also next to some rooms you can find an old woman -- she is one of the participants of these repressions and she knows answers for all the question you have. Unfortunately, not in English.
21.09.19
Nate
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded and then taken by the oppressed"
Saw the Oppression Museum that was built in an old Soviet prison which is now a memorial for those who passed here over the last 100.. Read more » years. It was quite moving and very well done! Honestly it was very impressive to me to be able to walk in the very cells where people were tortured and executed.
I believe one of the reasons I love Ukrainian people so much is because of their incredibly difficult past... No struggle no strength ????
Over the last few years of travelling I have come to realize one of the reasons why we are currently having such a difficult time in the United States..... The current generation in the States doesn't have a war to fight so they are creating their own- climate change???, polarising political arguments??⬅️?➡️, exploitation of gender roles?????️ , or whatever the flavor of the month might be?
"Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
We are doomed to repeat this cycle until we exist no more ??⚰️
14.07.19
Brian
Very interesting part of history that most people do not know about. Hopefully they keep adding to the exhibits. The entrance might be missed if you aren't looking for it.
11.07.19
D.
Sobering place, which reminds about the struggles that people had to go trough in the fight for independence. Important to remember that and cherish what we have. If there was more info in English, that would help a lot though.
09.06.19
Serhiy
I would say it is a great museum, but the word great doesn't sit well with this place. It's a very chilling and frightening place. Especially when you realise how many yang lives were broken here. Intelligent, talented people that had a dif.. Read more »ferent political views were brutally murdered here for years and years. Prison cells that are the size of a normal double bedroom would house up to 30-35 people at times.
Visit it, so you know a bit more about our not so distant past.
16.05.19
Maarten
Very impressive museum about a dark side of the history of Lviv. Watch for the red door as entrance, it is easy to pass by. Make sure you read some information beforehand, not all signs are as clear. Most of the building is rather untouched, really g.. Read more »iving you an idea how it was while being used. In 2019 the courtyard could not be entered.
01.05.19
Vasyl
A piece of the Ukrainian history, Lvivs as well. Atmosphere of the prison does the deal. Actually not an entertainment place, but some souvenirs shop would not be odd here.
Free entrance.
08.12.18
Lauren
We went on a Monday and it was closed, our fault for not checking, but was told to come back tomorrow. We checked opening times. Closed between 1 and 2. We turned up at 2.45. Told "No! Closed!!" And door was shut. Won't try going again.. Read more ». Shame when it is supposed to be a big part of the history here which as Brits we are interested to learn.
Wouldn't recommend.
4.3 / 87
