Prison building

The prison building in Tobolsk is a stone complex with thick walls, barred windows, and multiple cell blocks arranged around a central rectangular yard. Defensive ramparts surround the entire structure, emphasizing its role as a secured detention facility.

The facility was built between 1838 and 1855 and served as a working prison for more than a century. It held both political detainees and other prisoners before closing in 1989.

The cells display original metal furniture and heavy doors that reflect daily life behind bars. Photographs on the exterior walls remind visitors of the people who were held here and shape how the place feels today.

Visitors explore the prison through guided tours that provide access to cell blocks and museum exhibits about penal history. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as tours navigate through multiple levels and narrow corridors.

The building preserves original punishment cells where the writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky was once imprisoned. Visitors can access these spaces and gain direct insight into the conditions that shaped one of Russia's greatest authors.

Location: Tobolsk

Part of: Tobolsk State Historical Architectural Museum Reserve

GPS coordinates: 58.20148,68.25006

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40