Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance – Sighetu Marmației, Romania - Atlas Obscura
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Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance

Sighetu Marmației, Romania

A memorial museum to the political prisoners who were held at Sighet Prison, once one of the most feared places in Romania. 

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Black room (isolation). No light usually; the pinpoint in there is a lamp. SaintFu (Atlas Obscura User)
Painting on cloth scrap with coffee/tea SaintFu (Atlas Obscura User)
Motorcycle built in workshop by forced labor SaintFu (Atlas Obscura User)
Chessboard and pieces made from cloth scraps SaintFu (Atlas Obscura User)
Hallway (lined w/photos of the incarcerated) SaintFu (Atlas Obscura User)
The Women’s room. 4200 names of women who were victims s108h4n (Atlas Obscura User)
Corridor of faces s108h4n (Atlas Obscura User)
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Under the Communist regime the Sighet Prison was one of the most feared places in Romania. It was reserved for political prisoners who were held with no trial and sentenced to harsh punishments. Many died while in custody; families were not informed and death certificates were never issued. It was a cold and cruel place.

The prison went under restoration and each cell has been carefully transformed into a museum room. Collectively the cells tell the story of the totalitarian system imposed upon Romania. There is a thought-provoking sculpture by Aurel I. Vlad within the grounds and a moving room of remembrance where you can light a candle for those that lost their lives.

Know Before You Go

You need to set quite a bit of time aside to really explore this memorial/prison/museum. If you don’t read Romanian, you can ask for an English copy of the texts displayed in each room at the entrance.

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communism prisons memorials
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Published
August 3, 2016
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