Koepelgevangenis, Panopticon prison complex in Haarlem, Netherlands
The Koepelgevangenis is a prison complex in Haarlem designed around a central dome structure that dominated the building's layout. The dome allowed guards positioned there to monitor all cell blocks and corridors without leaving their post.
Designed by architect Willem Cornelis Metzelaar and completed in 1901, this prison operated for over a century before closing in 2016. The closure marked the end of its use as an active correctional facility for the region.
The building reflects early 20th-century ideas about prison design and how society viewed punishment and control. Walking around it, you notice how the architecture itself was meant to send a message about order and discipline.
The complex sits within reach of Haarlem's train station, making it accessible to visitors arriving by public transport or car. You can walk around the exterior to see the distinctive architecture and dome structure from different angles.
Only three panopticon-style prisons were ever built in the Netherlands during the early 1900s, making this one of a rare trio. The design drew from revolutionary thinking imported from abroad but rarely replicated in quite this form elsewhere.
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