Lukiskes Prison, Vilnius

Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius, Lithuania, has a rich history spanning over 100 years. Built in the heart of the city, it was a modern complex compared to the typical monasteries that served as confinement facilities in the 19th century. It was the only prison that allowed Russian-Orthodox, Roman-Catholic, and Jewish worship places, and it held a diverse range of prisoners, including criminals, political prisoners, and exiles.

During World War II, the Nazi regime brought detained Jewish residents to Lukiškės Prison, where they were held before being transported to Paneriai for executions. However, historians suggest that the Jews were not executed in the prison, and after September 1941, many were held in a ghetto in a different location. Many notable political, social, and literary figures were once confined in the building complex, including Jonas Vileišis, Julija Beniuševičiūtė-Žymantienė, Vincas Kudirka, Menachem Begin, Leopold Tyrmand, and Maksim Harecki.

Today, the prison serves as an artistic venue and home to 250 creators and artists. The prison complex survived both World Wars and the Soviet occupation, and it ceased to function as a confinement facility in 2019. The prison's interior and exterior have been carefully preserved to respect its century of history, and it attracts attention worldwide, particularly among those looking for unique spaces to serve as the backdrop for films and commercials.

The prison hosts many cultural, music, and art events in the designated areas, with the utmost respect for the prison's past and honoring the people who served sentences there for over a century. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing drink, attend a concert, or take a guided tour to explore the architecture and learn about the prison's secrets. The prison's unique space has even become a star on the silver screen, serving as a backdrop for some world-famous movies and TV series, including Stranger Things.