Prison of Saint-Gilles, prison in Saint-Gilles, Belgium
The Prison of Saint-Gilles is a large complex built in the late 19th century in Tudor style, featuring tall stone walls, pointed arches, and watchtowers at the entrance. Its interior is organized around a central surveillance tower with five wings extending outward, each containing multiple stories of small cells arranged along long corridors.
The prison was built between 1878 and 1884, replacing an older facility with an innovative single-cell design that represented modern thinking about incarceration. During both World Wars it held political opponents and resistance fighters, including notable prisoners like Edith Cavell and Gabrielle Petit.
The prison is linked to significant moments in Belgian history, particularly during wartime and resistance movements. The names of inmates like Edith Cavell and Gabrielle Petit remain present today, reminding visitors of acts of courage and sacrifice that took place within these walls.
The complex is easily accessible by public transport, located near the Albert station with tram and bus connections available. Most areas are navigable on foot, though visitors should expect varying levels and narrow corridors typical of older institutional buildings.
In 1993 a dramatic escape attempt occurred here when inmates took a guard hostage and fled the complex. This incident reveals the tensions that built up over decades within the facility, particularly due to overcrowding and aging infrastructure.
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