Patarei Prison (Patarei vangla in Estonian) is also known as Patarei Sea Fortress, Tallinn Central Prison (Tallinna Keskvangla), and simply The Battery (Patarei). This former sea fortress and prison, located on the shore of Tallinn Bay, has served many masters.

In 1830s a fort was built here as part of the fortifications for the tsarist Russian state. The building order was given by Tsar Nicholas I. In 1864, Tallinn was removed from Russian Empire’s list of fortresses due to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, and the fort was converted into barracks. 

After World War I, it served as a prison. In 1940 - 1941 it was no ordinary prison but NKVD Prison Nr 1. All arrested public officials, high-ranking military officers, police officers and businessmen of the Republic of Estonia passed through Patarei before their execution or being sent to the Gulag.

During German occupation Patarei housed Tallinn Labour and Correctional Camp nr. 1.

No wonder that for Estonians Patarei is one of the most prominent symbols of Soviet and Nazi political terror.

In 2018, the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory launched preparations to establish a museum of crimes of communism and an accompanying international research center in Tallinn. The museum is scheduled to open in 2025.

Sources: Wikipedia