Trubetskoy Bastion, Military bastion in Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Trubetskoy Bastion is a five-sided fortress structure containing two stories of small prison cells arranged in a linear pattern. Thick walls and narrow corridors form the basic layout of what visitors see when they walk through the rooms and passageways.
The bastion was built as a prison facility in 1872 to confine political prisoners under strict conditions. It remained active until 1921, when it closed following political upheaval at the end of the Tsarist period.
The name comes from one of the fortress's five bastions and is now closely associated with its prison history rather than military defense. Walking through the corridors today, visitors sense how this place embodied state power and political struggle during its time.
Access to the bastion is only possible through guided tours of the fortress complex, so plan your visit ahead of time. Wear sturdy shoes since the stairways and corridors are narrow and can be slippery in places.
The cells were so cramped that a prisoner could walk only about ten steps diagonally before hitting the opposite wall. This extreme confinement was an intentional design feature meant to break the spirits of those held inside.
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