Oulu Prison, Prison and Cultural Heritage Site in Myllytulli, Finland.
Oulu Prison is a correctional facility and national cultural heritage site located in central Oulu, Finland. The building displays late 19th-century architecture with strong emphasis on security and practical layout, featuring elements typical of that era's prison design.
Architect Ludvig Isak Lindqvist designed this facility in 1885 as a modern correctional institution for northern Finland. Its construction marked the beginning of a new era in Finnish prison architecture based on rational and secure building methods.
The building reflects how Finnish society viewed punishment and rehabilitation during its construction period. Walking through it reveals the values and methods that shaped corrections in northern Finland over the generations.
The facility is centrally located in Oulu and easy to reach on foot, though it remains an active prison with limited visitor access. Planning ahead is advisable since operational status affects when tours or viewings are possible.
The building continues to serve as an active prison today while holding the status of a nationally protected heritage site. This dual role is relatively rare in Finland and gives the location a distinctive character.
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