The famous Prison Museum in Ushuaia

Discover Ushuaia’s Infamous Past at the Former Prison Museum

For anyone intrigued by the origins of Ushuaia, a visit to the city’s former penitentiary—now the Museo del Presidio—is a must. This haunting yet fascinating site offers an immersive glimpse into life behind bars during one of Argentina’s most notorious penal eras. As you explore the cold, narrow hallways and peer into the stark cells, it becomes easy to envision the grim realities faced by the inmates who once lived there.

The museum preserves an array of prisoner-made artifacts: hand-crafted furniture, murals, tools used to create prison tiles, personal letters, and even the original shackles worn during forced labor. These items tell a raw and powerful story of punishment, survival, and unintended creativity.

A Step Back in Time

The museum’s most evocative space is Pavilion 1—kept nearly untouched since the prison’s operational days. Known as the “Historic Pavilion,” it once held some of Argentina’s most dangerous felons, referred to not by names but by numbers. Infamous figures such as serial killer Mateo Banks (nicknamed “the Mystic”), child murderer Cayetano Santos Godino (“the Short-Eared Child”), and anarchist Simón Radowitzky were among its inmates.

Inside the prison, strict control and a rigid hierarchy ruled daily life. Inmates who exhibited good behavior could work beyond the prison walls—often in the forests surrounding the city. These convicts helped shape early Ushuaia, building everything from roads and bridges to civic buildings. Remarkably, the prison was also home to Ushuaia’s first power plant, print shop, and telephone system—all operated by inmate labor.

Origins and Transformation

Construction of the “National Prison” began on September 15, 1902, using labor from the inmates themselves. The initial plans envisioned a penal settlement in Lapataia that could accommodate up to 580 convicts across 2,500 hectares. However, the final location was established in Ushuaia, and by 1920, five pavilions had been completed, containing over 380 solitary cells—though occupancy often exceeded 600.

The prison infrastructure included a kitchen nestled between Pavilions 1 and 2, a bakery between Pavilions 1 and 5, and administrative offices facing the bay. In 1943, a new hospital was inaugurated, which would later serve as the naval base’s primary medical center.

Inmates were subjected to hard labor and basic education while working in more than 30 designated areas. Their efforts contributed not only to prison life but also to Ushuaia’s early development, including the construction of the southernmost railway in the world, launched in 1910.

From Penitentiary to National Monument

The prison was officially closed in March 1947 by decree of President Juan Domingo Perón and transferred to the Argentine Navy. In 1997, the structure was declared a National Historic Monument. Today, the site is maintained and curated by the Civil Association of the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia and is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours.

Linked by History: The Train at the End of the World

The story of the Presidio is intimately connected to another iconic Ushuaia attraction: the Train of the End of the World. Originally built as a transport route for prisoners and materials, the train line was carved through the region’s rugged terrain by convict labor. The same tracks are now used for a tourist train that retraces part of this original route, offering visitors panoramic views of Tierra del Fuego’s forests, mountains, and rivers.

Today, the train and the museum offer a powerful narrative arc—from punishment and hardship to remembrance and reflection—capturing a critical chapter in the development of Argentina’s southern frontier.

How to Visit the Prison Museum

The Presidio and Maritime Museum is housed in the former penitentiary building, located in central Ushuaia, just a short walk from the main avenue. Its convenient location makes it an easy stop on any city tour. Many guided half-day excursions include a visit to the museum, combining historical insight with a broader overview of the city’s development.

Explore the Past at Ushuaia’s Jail Museum

Don’t miss the opportunity to uncover the dramatic stories that shaped Ushuaia. Step inside the former prison and experience a piece of history that still echoes through the stone walls of this legendary site at the end of the world.