KRESTY PRISON TOUR

The Kresty (Crosses) Prison Museum is probably St Petersburg's most unusual museum. Visitors don't only view the exhibition of the small museum but are also led through the actual prison. The tour of the biggest prison of the city with about 10 000 inmates shows the cell corridors and an empty cell, the prison church and the yard and gives you an impression of the somewhat inhuman conditions. When the prison was opened in 1892, only one inmate lived in one cell. Today, up to twelve men have to share a cell and six beds.

A small museum on prison grounds tells the history of the prison (named 'Crosses' after the form in which the cell blocks are built) and exhibits weapons, self-made mobile phones and other things found in cells nowadays. You can also learn much about prison culture and customs such as tattoos.

Entrance: You have to bring your passport or another identification document. Children younger than 14 years of age are not allowed to visit. The excursion for individual visitors starts at on Saturdays and Sundays; for groups up to 15 people (by advance booking) on any day at 1:30 pm .