(Translated by Google) The museum makes a shocking impression. Visits to cells and punishments are memorable, especially in conjunction with the guide's colorful narration about crowding, dirt, hunger, torture, etc. keys. One cannot shake off the biographies of the victims of the communist regime for a long time, as well as the executioners - "mediocre, passive, but faithful", who, in addition, almost all escaped responsibility. The museum is still in the organization phase, so we can also see what the modern Detention Center that operated here looked like until recently. There are plans to rebuild the building to restore its original appearance. The whole large room devoted to Bishop Antoni Baraniak, in which most of the exhibits are liturgical vestments and objects of religious worship, evokes some disgust (except for a chair for prison photographs and a sanitary kit from the cell). And I do not mean the mere fact of commemorating his 145 brutal interrogations and the role his steadfastness played for Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, but about proportions. I hope that in the course of the development of the Museum there will also be detailed exhibitions about other victims. (Original) Muzeum robi wstrząsające wrażenie. Zapadają w pamięć wizyty w celach i karcerach, szczególnie w połączeniu z barwną narracją przewodnika, opowiadającą o zatłoczeniu, brudzie, głodzie, torturach itp. Można zobaczyć miejsca wykonania wyroków i dowiedzieć się, że pomieszczenie z szubienicą zostało później zaadaptowane na... siłownię dla klawiszy. Długo nie można się otrząsnąć po lekturach biogramów ofiar komunistycznego reżimu, a także katów - "miernych, biernych, ale wiernych", który w dodatku praktycznie wszyscy uniknęli odpowiedzialności. Muzeum jest jeszcze w fazie organizacji, zatem możemy przy okazji zobaczyć, jak wyglądał funkcjonujący do niedawna w tym miejscu współczesny Areszt Śledczy. W planach jest bowiem przebudowa obiektu, mająca na celu przywrócenie mu wcześniejszego wyglądu. Pewien niesmak budzi cała duża sala poświęcona biskupowi Antoniemu Baraniakowi, w której większość eksponatów stanowią szaty liturgiczne i przedmioty kultu religijnego (wyjątkiem jest krzesło do fotografii więziennych i zestaw sanitarny z celi). I nie chodzi mi tu o sam fakt upamiętnienia jego 145 brutalnych przesłuchań i roli, jaką jego niezłomność odegrała dla kard. Stefana Wyszyńskiego, ale o proporcje. Mam nadzieję, że w toku rozwoju Muzeum pojawią się również szczegółowe ekspozycje o innych ofiarach.

This is a prison where Polish soldiers who opposed the Soviet Union were held. Although I am not Polish, I can empathize with that feeling. I greatly admire this country's pursuit of freedom. I hope for everlasting peace in the world!

I went on account of all the good reviews but had to comment because I thought it was pretty weak. You can only go on a guided tour and now I understand why -- the "museum" was a functioning prison until 2017, so there's almost nothing left as it was in communist times. So it's just a guide telling you what you once *would have* seen. I wanted to experience a communist era prison because I'm writing about leftist authoritarianism. The place functions more as a sort of shrine to the people who died there, which is perfectly fine, but it could be described as such. Or more work could go into recreating the space as it once was. What got to me most was that at one point we were led into a room dedicated to a priest or cardinal who had been tortured in the prison. It was all huge photos of him, and paraphernalia related to him -- his bright violet cap and cassock... We were left to look around that room for a while, and suddenly I had this creepy feeling. Why am I here looking at a priest's cassock when I came to learn about a prison? Why is this tour, that could be over in 45 minutes, 2 hours long? The guide seemed knowledgable enough but the place felt like it had way too much of an agenda.

So I came on a week day and they said it’s only open on Saturdays for public. Then I came on a Saturday and then they said it’s closed for public. To bad information on their website. I really wanna see the museum, but when I can’t enter then I will give it a 1 star. Sorry

I'd have given a better rating if I was allowed to visit this museum. I noticed this place when I was on my way to the geological museum. The people at the entrance told that I can only visit with a group, not individually. They told that I can join a group who were there, but that group has already finished their visit so I couldn't enter at all.

It is free historical museum that shows what the soviets did to Poles over the time of the communist regime. Nice to see that people remember the sacrifices made to better humanity. It is only in Polish though but pictures speak the truth in all languages.

(Translated by Google) A visit to this prison is a very traumatic experience. However, I recommend that everyone plan a guided tour of this place, which is steeped in the pain and suffering of hundreds of people. Here you can learn the hidden truth about the way of taking the lives of real Poles, the principles of the NKVD operation and the brutal methods of interrogation. The shameful future of this place is a lesson in true history. (Original) Wizyta w tym więzieniu to bardzo traumatyczne przeżycie. Jednakże polecam każdemu zaplanować zwiedzanie z przewodnikiem tego miejsca, przesiąkniętego bólem i cierpieniem setek osób. Tutaj można poznać przez lata ukrywaną prawdę o sposobie pozbawiania życia prawdziwych Polaków, zasady działania NKWD oraz brutalne metody przesłuchań. Niechlubna przyszłość tego miejsca to lekcja prawdziwej historii.

Very important place to visit for anyone who wants to understand the tragedy and complexity of post-WW2 Polish history. English-language tour guides are available, but appointments must be made in advance. Until 2015 this prison was still operating - although no political prisoners were in it since late 1980s. The most brutal period of its history are years 1945-1956, during which hundreds of innocent heroes of Polish fight against the German and Soviet aggressions were imprisoned, tortured and killed here.

Interesting museum about the history of Polish prisoners who were anti-communisiom during the communist rule after WW11. You can only go through with a tour. The entrance is free. The 2 hour tour is available only in Polish. Not for children as there graphic photography.

Excellent visit in Warsaw for a real impression on how enemies of the state have been treated for a whole century. This prison is emblematic for Warsaw and Poland and a must see for people connected with this country. Advance reservation of a free guide recommended. More guided tours in different languages would be recommended.

Still needs work

(Translated by Google) A shocking place, and generally the best lesson in the history of the People's Republic of Poland and Polish communism available in Warsaw, de facto in the city center. Here we have the genesis of the system that was not mentioned during the Polish People's Republic. The museum is in the process of being built, but the austerity that we see there makes a strong impression. The celebration includes the outer part (it is good to dress warm in winter), then the facility inside is visited (so far one building is visited, but it is still a large dose of knowledge and emotions). A big round of applause for the involvement of the Guide (I don't know the name, unfortunately) - a young brunet man who has a lot of knowledge and is good at visiting groups. (Original) Wstrząsające miejsce, a generalnie to najlepsza lekcja historii PRL i polskiego komunizmu dostępna w Warszawie, de facto w centrum miasta. Tutaj mamy genezę systemu, o której za PRL nie mówiono. Muzeum jest w fazie powstawania, ale surowość, którą tam widzimy robi mocne wrażenie. Obchód obejmuje część zewnętrzną (zimą dobrze jest się ciepło ubrać), potem zwiedza się obiekt w środku (póki co zwiedza się jeden budynek, ale to i tak spora dawka wiedzy i emocji). Wielkie brawa za zaangażowanie Pana Przewodnika (nie znam imienia niestety) – młody pan brunet, który dysponuje dużą wiedzą i dobrze sobie radzi z grupami zwiedzającymi.

Very interesting and touching. More and more Polish history reviled by IPN hidden by communist murderers

There is a nice website with a lot of useful info, great staff and you can visit here with a guide. Parking lot on the street usually is crowded so i recommend tram or metro to get here.

With whole my hear mamy mamy thanks to guide Magda for profesional tour. Magda is explaining all and talking with huge passion. Magda is wery kind and impressed me with her knowledgw. Really recomended Manda As a tour guide.

(Translated by Google) Amazing and scary place. It does not leave you indifferent. It's a prison and it's already overwhelming, but also with such a cruel history and so many wonderful people who have not returned from that place. There is a cell where portraits of the torturers were displayed - no one was punished ..... Warto (Original) Niesamowite i przerażające miejsce. Nie pozostawia obojętnym. To więzienie i to już przytłacza, ale jeszcze dodatkowo z tak okrutna historią oraz tyloma wspaniałymi ludźmi, którzy już z tamtego miejsca nie wrócili. Jest taka cela, gdzie wywieszono portrety oprawców- nikt nie poniósł kary..... Warto.✌️🇵🇱

(Translated by Google) The museum is definitely worth visiting, it makes a great impression and you can also see the potential for the future. The guide told an interesting story and you could see that he had a lot of knowledge. Unfortunately, there are also downsides, actually one big one. I got the impression that this museum is run by a church, not a state. Everywhere there are hung crosses and mothers of God (the mother of God is even in the logo). I understand totally showing crosses made of bread as souvenirs of prisoners, or even making some separate room that could be a non-denominational chapel, but hanging them everywhere, including the room where the convicts were hung? After all, not only people who were zealous Catholics died there. Additionally, at the moment only one person has a separate room. Will you ask who? Of course, priest. And if there were souvenirs related to imprisonment or conspiratorial activity, but no, there are mainly robes and equipment used for mass and other priest's tasks. (Original) Muzeum zdecydowanie warte odwiedzenia, robi duże wrażenie i widać też potencjał na przyszłość. Przewodnik opowiadał ciekawie i widać było, że ma dużą wiedzę. Niestety są też minusy, właściwie jeden duży. Odniosłam wrażenie, że to muzeum jest prowadzone przez kościół, a nie państwo. Wszędzie są powieszone krzyże i matki boskie (matka boska jest nawet w logo). Ja rozumiem totalnie pokazywanie krzyży z chleba, jako pamiątek po więźniach, czy nawet zrobienie jakiegoś osobnego pomieszczenia, które mogłoby być ponadwyznaniową kaplicą, ale powieszanie ich wszędzie, łacznie z salą, gdzie wieszano skazanych? Przecież tam umierały nie tylko osoby, które były gorliwymi katolikami. Dodatkowo na tą chwilę tylko jednej osobie poświęcono osobną salę. Zapytacie komu? Oczywiście księdzu. I jeszcze gdyby były tam pamiątki związane z pobytem w więzieniu czy działalnością konspiracyjną, ale nie, tam są głównie szaty i sprzęt wykorzystywany do mszy i innych zadań księdza.

It was a terrifyung yet important experience for me. Highly recommended experience.

Awesome experience. One of a kind. Great Guides

Recommend this place to anyone visiting Warsaw.

(Translated by Google) An amazing impression of staying in this place. Mainly due to a great guide, which was very interesting about the history of this place. Sightseeing is free, but you have to book a visit before. At the beginning, you start watching an exhibition in the showcases, then goes to the basement, we watch the goals and the external part. We even enter the place where executions took place. Due to the subject of space, you should visit teenagers at least over 15 years of age. (Original) Niesamowite wrażenia z pobytu w tym miejscu. Głównie za sprawą świetnego przewodnika, który bardzo ciekawie opowiadał o historii tego miejsca. Zwiedzanie jest darmowe, ale trzeba wcześniej zarezerwować wizytę. Na początek zaczyna się oglądanie wystawy w gablotach, potem schodzi się do piwnic, oglądamy cele i część zewnętrzną. Wchodzimy nawet do miejsca gdzie odbywały się egzekucje. Ze względu na tematykę miejsce powinno się odwiedzać z nastolatkami przynajmniej powyżej 15 roku życia.