Museum of Jerusalem Underground Prisoners

The Jerusalem Museum of Prisoners of the Underground is located in the premises of the former Russian shelter for pilgrims. It was built in the 60s of the XIX century and was part of the complex of buildings of the Russian Compound (near the modern municipal building). During the British Mandate, from 1917 to 1948, the shelter was adapted to the needs of the prison. Here, in the central city prison, hundreds of resistance members were imprisoned. Initially, their number was 250 people, but a couple of decades later, the prison contained about 500 underground.

In the early years of the British Mandate, prisoners were held in common cells, ignoring religious differences. But as the number of prisoners increased significantly, they began to demand separate cells. The authorities made concessions and fulfilled the demands of the prisoners.

In 1991, the Ministry of Defense financed the reconstruction of the prison, and the building was converted into a museum that, based on authentic documents, would tell about the resistance’s struggle for Israeli independence. The exposition contains a selection of documents, chronicles and numerous items. The atmosphere of those difficult years helps to feel the barbed wire, bars on the windows and the preserved inscription above the entrance: "The Central Prison of Jerusalem". In addition, a solitary confinement cell, an execution chamber and a place for prayer were rebuilt. Museum staff tell visitors stories about the exploits of prison prisoners.