Fængslet, Prison museum in Horsens Kommune, Denmark
The Fængslet is a former state prison in Horsens now operating as a museum, housed in a building with thick stone walls and metal bars throughout. The facility spreads across multiple floors with numerous cells, workshop areas, and common spaces that show how a penitentiary was organized.
The facility opened in 1853 and served as a working prison for over 150 years before closing in 2006. Its walls held inmates whose stories connected to broader historical events and periods of social change.
The displays show personal belongings of those who were imprisoned, guard uniforms, and work equipment that reveal how daily life was organized across different time periods. Visitors see how inmates and staff shared the same spaces and routines.
Visitors can explore the cell blocks and workshop areas on their own or join guided tours for more context about the spaces. Wearing comfortable shoes is helpful since you will be walking through multiple levels and climbing stairs throughout the building.
In 1949, a prisoner named Carl August Lorentzen dug a tunnel about 20 meters long using only a spoon to attempt escape. Visitors can see this remarkable tunnel today in a dedicated exhibition and marvel at the engineering behind it.
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