FORT 13, JILAVA PENITENTIARY

Jilava Penitentiary sits 10km South of Bucharest and 3km North-East of Jilava village. It was built in 1870-1890 and it was first designed as a system of defense, including 18 forts, each of them equipped with an artillery battery. After 1907, Fort 13 of the Jilava Penitentiary became one of the most feared military prison.  

The fort goes 10m underground, and the earth excavated was used to raise the exterior walls that feature observation towers. The entrance features an arch door, engraved with the name of the institution.

The prison has an 180sq. meters administrative pavilion, the prison main office (30sq m) a dormitory (120m) and the fort itself, that includes 52 rooms. In front of the penitentiary there are 4 interior courtyards.