USHUAIA, Argentina — Original cell blocks from Ushuaia's historic prison, active from 1902 to 1947, now house exhibits for the Police and Penitentiary Museum within the Maritime Museum complex. The preserved prison architecture provides an authentic backdrop for displays documenting the facility's history as Argentina's southernmost penal colony.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Police and Penitentiary Museum, housed within Ushuaia's former prison building, preserves the original cell block architecture while repurposing the space for historical exhibitions. The prison, which operated during the first half of the 20th century, was modeled after Port Arthur in Tasmania and built using prisoner labor. The radial design features five wings extending from a central rotunda, following the "telephone pole" layout typical of early 20th-century penitentiaries. Each cell block maintains its original construction, including the heavy metal doors, barred windows, and narrow corridors that characterized the prison during its operational years. The building's transformation into a museum complex began in 1994, with the cell blocks now serving as atmospheric gallery spaces that help visitors understand both the architectural and social history of Argentina's southernmost penal colony. The preservation of these authentic prison spaces provides a powerful context for exhibits about the facility's role in the development of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
Size: 7068px × 4717px
Location: Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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