A Night Walk in Lukiškės in Lithuanian

Escaping into a prison has never been this easy.

The historic Lukiškės Prison complex, surrounded by a high wall, invites you to explore it on foot.

Lukiškės Prison is not the answer to every question. But who wouldn’t want to visit? Those curious about prisoners’ everyday lives in the former prison during its final years of operation can join a unique daytime walk; those seeking stronger sensations are invited to experience it at night; and anyone wanting to look deeper can take a historical walk introducing the prison’s more than century-long history, its different periods and its architecture. Three different walk formats offer three ways to discover one of Vilnius’s most distinctive places. An experience with no equivalent anywhere in the region.

We can’t shake the feeling that this walk, following in the footsteps of prisoners, is the city’s best-kept secret. The writer Žemaitė was imprisoned here, as were Jonas Vileišis, Mykolas Biržiška and Vladas Mironas, signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania; partisan commander Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas; Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin; and many other historical figures.

Henrikas Daktaras was imprisoned here too, but you already knew that.

Day and night walks

You may have heard stories about life in prisons, the criminal world or Lukiškės many times. But who knows more than those who know Lukiškės Prison inside out and worked here for quite some time? Our prison guards spent a great deal of time at Lukiškės and saw everything with their own eyes. Add the experience and connections of professional guides, and they become almost dream conversation partners. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; save your deepest ones for the walk.

Death-row cells, visiting rooms, people-as-containers, police officers, historical figures, prohibited items, horses, love affairs, secret works of art, prisoners’ weddings, prison escapes and spaces in Lukiškės Prison never seen before.

After sunset, the prison really does feel haunted, and becomes all the more fascinating. This is more than an escape room, a tour or a night at a museum. An interactive walk in the dark: you, the walls of Lukiškės Prison and a flashlight. We promise this is a walk you won’t forget for the rest of your life. Walk by day and by night! Arrange your tickets in advance. It’s truly worth it.

Lukiškės Prison buildings

The present Lukiškės Prison complex, which was very modern and expensive for a prison, was designed by architect G. Trambickis and his team. The prison was completed in 1904.

The Lukiškės Prison complex consists of an administrative building, the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, a dormitory, the prison building, the prison hospital, a wall and a checkpoint. The complex is included in the Register of Cultural Heritage and has the status of a national cultural heritage site.

Lukiškės Prison 2.0

Lukiškės Prison has captured the attention of the city’s residents and artists. The new version of Lukiškės Prison creates a different image, feeling and story. Lukiškės Prison 2.0 is not simply a new or better version of a prison. It is much more.

Conversion is one of Lithuania’s most interesting cultural phenomena. From now on, we look towards a better version of the prison instead of looking back. Lukiškės Prison is full of culture, music and inspiring people. The conversion format we proposed already brings together 650 creators and residents. The resident community at Lukiškės creates good things and shares them with the city. This historic heritage site in central Vilnius has become a hub for music, contemporary art, design and culture.

Lukiškės Prison has become a wonderful place that serves its communities and supports its artists. There is so much culture here that artists and creative people want to make work here. This vision and concept have attracted attention in Europe and around the world. All that remains is to change one’s perspective and enjoy this transformation.

New prison administration

Lukiškės Prison 2.0

Mon–Sun 9:00–19:00

Lukiškių skg. 6, LT-01118, Vilnius

2.0@lukiskiukalejimas.lt

www.facebook.com/Lukiskiukalejimas2.0

www.instagram.com/Lukiskiukalejimas2.0

Private walks

pasivaiksciojimai@lukiskiukalejimas.lt

tours@lukiskiukalejimas.lt

Age restriction: 18+.

Persons under 18 are not admitted.