Across the street from the former site of a huge Lenin statue is perhaps the creepiest place in all of Vilnius. As disturbing as it is, I would still say it is a top 3 ‘must see’ in this city. It is the KGB museum, and it is housed within the former KGB headquarters from the days of Soviet occupation. In the basement of the building you will find actual prisoner cells and guards’ stations, most of which remain completely intact. Some of the rooms have been recreated, but the feeling of doom and desperation remains stagnant in the air.
basement of old KGB prison, cells on either side
When you reach the bottom of the stairs, to your left you see two small closets where detainees are initially held. Captives were sometimes held in here for many hours. You can stand inside and close the door. It is a tight squeeze and there is no ventilation. A few steps down the hall you will find the guards’ office where prisoners’ information was registered and an old red phone in the corner would ring occasionally with instructions from higher ups. Some original uniforms hang on the wall. Across from them is a noble painting of Stalin. Across from this room is the strip search room where prisoners were searched very thoroughly and sometimes interrogated for extended periods. They would hold some prisoners for days before contacting their family.
holding cell
guards' room with original KGB officer uniforms
The worst of the rooms are towards the end of the hall, like the padded cell and the torture rooms. The padded cell was meant for prisoners who had lost their minds after constant abuse and interrogation. They were placed in straight jackets then (it is assumed) beaten. The padding was there so that no one could hear the screaming. At the end of the hall are the ice rooms. A small pedestal stands in the center of the room just about 6 inches from the ground. Prisoners, male and female, were stripped down nude then forced to stand on this pedestal for endless hours. The floor would be covered in freezing water.
padded cell and straight jacket
water torture room
While all of this is quite sobering and scary, the worst part of the museum is in an adjacent building. It is called the execution chamber. Hundreds of people were brought into this room to meet their death then have their bodies left to rot like rubbish. The original floor has been preserved by a glass cover that sits about 2 feet over it. Guests can see some remaining items, like a pair of shoes or broken glasses, that were left behind. It is beyond quiet in this room, it is a vacuum of sound. Photographs of the victims line the walls so that everyone in the world who dares pass through this place will know what happened to them. You will leave this room a bit altered, I must warn you.
skull of a resistance fighter
Upstairs you will find some more artifacts and clever, impacting exhibits using these perfectly preserved articles. Several rooms manifest different eras and phases of the occupation.
children's memorial drawings line the outside wall
Entrance for adults is around $2 USD.
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