prison on lontskogo, national museum and memorial to the victims of occupation

AudriusM_13

Frendly and helpful staff in museum, very deep exkursion around Ukrainan history. This nation has a lot to remember and say to other people.

CTJohn

We were met at the door of the prison by a staff person who took us around and explained the background of the prison and the atrocities that occurred there. The staff person explained that while she was not a regular guide, she spoke a little English and wanted us to understand the history even in the absence of the regular guide. Her desire to help us and her understanding of the dark history of this place was touching. This memorial should be experienced to understand the very difficult history of Lviv and western Ukraine in the 20th century.

tarzanldy

Offered an opportunity to get the feel of what a winter day must have been in this dank environment. The most powerful aspect was the short video of men being forced to remove the bodies and families trying to identify their loved ones. Kudos to the Ukrainians for facing their history.

178ThierryV

This place must be seen. It was used as a prison up to the beginning of the 90's. It is now a very interesting musem which shows, amongst other things, the political repression which existed in this part of the country in the last century.

incahueca

Little English is displayed but what an amazing place! You can easily understand most of it watching the pictures and the displays. Terrifying but necessary. No entrance fee. Do not miss this museum in Lviv.

MsPaulina

We were treated to a two and a half hour personal tour (in English) through this fascinating museum. The information that was shared with us was very interesting and comprehensive - and was enhanced with personal experience. Ask to be shown the 'cooler' rooms on the bottom floor - gives you a strong feel for how awful it must have been to have been under 'investigation'. There were some art exhibits which also added to the experience. The location is the first street on the left when you turn into S. Bandery (marked as 'museum memorial' on the tourist map). No cost but donations welcome.

KiwilineNY

This is one of the several Lviv prisons used by the Nazis and Soviets to intimidate and bully the Ukrainian resistance and intelligentsia. Almost completely unrenovated, you are seeing the cells as they were. If one speaks Ukrainian (which I do not) there are quite intricate exhibits and explanations of what you're seeing. English speakers are given a more general overview which is informative but not nearly as specific or in-depth. I understand that the Ukrainian government (the former one, that is, the one recently deposed and sympathetic to the Russians) had tried to close this several times. It is not at all easy to find -- it abuts the city police building and is really only visible by the small Ukrainian flags affixed to the front of the building. Even the sign is tiny. But an important insight into a tragic history that is being changed, ignored and/or covered up. If you are interested in truth, this is a must-see.

447MikeS

Considering this place receives no support from the Ukrainian government it is a fantastically run place and a must see in Lviv. Unfortunately, the museum has had it's historical collection of KGB archives confiscated by the government due to pressure from Russia. The staff however, are very well informed and are doing a great job. Please be generous and make a donation so that this museum can survive for future generations.

wolfram169

hidden some minutes away from the city, sometimes ignored by official tour guides this prison opens the door to recent history. Several original documents will modify the view on history of ukraine and offers insight views in WW II and Soviet cruelty. We enjoyed a very emotional tour with the staff of the prison and were impressed of the energy and engagement of some brave ukrainians....Thank You

Zrmoo

The musuem tells the truth about what the Russians did to the locals during the Russian occupation before the German invasion in 1941. The place took some finding because there is pressure on the Ukraines from Russia to close the museum as it shows the atrocities perpetuated under the Russian control of the prison. You have to ring a door bell on the front door to get in. A guard opens the door and asks what you want. Once you get past him the staff in side are more helpful. Very graphic and not for the faint hearted.

Iina2013

It is quite easy to find though there are no signs on the street to point out the place. As soon as we got in to the museum the english speaking guide started showing the museum for just the two of us. Guiding was very good and informative. There was two floors and a yard open for a public. Everything was free of charge, and we didn't even see any donation box. I definitely recommend this place, it was one of the best things in Lviv.

Newportonian

If you want to understand Ukraine, or the history of Lviv, this should be on your list of places to visit. Although it isn't that far from the old town, it was hard to find, there are no signs and I had to ask for directions twice. In addition the road it is on and the surrounding roads are basically obstacle courses at the moment, as there is work in progress, with no pavements or road surfaces. I'm glad I persevered because although it's quite small, it is very moving. I echo the comments of previous reviewers, the English speaking guide was very well informed about the lack of official support for the museum and had a very good grasp of the historical context. Information about the museum is missing from a lot of the official tourist literature.

MariayAdleyT

We are honored to be guided by Kristina who showed us around and told us the history of the atrocities by the ussr and nazi in this prison. The current government is pro Moscow and wants to close it by giving less and less support , and confiscating their archive which showed the atrocities in the soviet time secret police . The staff and researchers there are still struggling to tell the world the cruelty of the soviet and need your attention and support . The transparent donation box is still there. Can we get the attention of some international museum or archival bodies to save this archives ? If we don't learn from history we shall make the same mistakes again.

360samuelr

This exhibit is highly controversial. The current president has already tried to shut it down once. Well worth the visit, especially if you are of Jewish heritage. The exhibits and documentation come from the Ukrainian KGB archives when they were opened to the public (now closed again). They have a translator that can speak English, but it is wise to call the day before to ensure hat she is available. The documentation there is mostly in Ukrainian, but has a few documents in Russian and German as well.Currently, the museum is one level, but they said they are working on two additional floors. No stair cases on the current level, but there are a few places you have to step up or down on.Donations (mentioned in someone else's review) are no longer accepted here.

Slavicfoodjunkie

We were the only ones there at opening time on Monday. When the guard realized my wife doesn't know Ukrainian, he summoned an English-speaking tour guide, who was excellent. This former prison was the site of unspeakable atrocities committed by the Nazis and the Soviets. It is impossible to understand the current situation in Ukraine without the context that places like this provide.