Panopticon, Prison museum in Quito historical center, Ecuador.
The neoclassical building features a Greek cross layout with five pavilions radiating from a central observation point extending over several floors.
Thomas Reed designed this penitentiary in 1869, following the model of La Santé Prison in Paris with construction completed in 1875.
The structure represents 19th-century prison reform principles, incorporating Jeremy Bentham's architectural concept for continuous surveillance from a central point.
Tours of the former Garcia Moreno Prison include visits to all five cell blocks, with guides sharing detailed accounts of daily life inside.
This facility operated continuously for 140 years until 2014, when it transformed from Ecuador's main prison into a museum space.
Location: Quito
Architects: Thomas Reed
Official opening: June 1875
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture
GPS coordinates: -0.21750,-78.52070
Latest update: May 12, 2025 02:15
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