The Prison Museum

The Prison Museum in Horsens is housed in the former Horsens State Penitentiary, turning the old prison into a museum about life behind bars. Visitors move through original prison spaces and follow the stories of both inmates and staff over the years. Exhibitions focus on everyday routines, discipline and work, as well as the human side of imprisonment. The museum is known for using interactive and story-based displays to present facts about the prison system in an accessible way for different ages. It offers a focused, atmospheric visit rather than a quick look from the car.

Visit The Prison Museum if you are interested in how a real state prison worked in practice. The setting in the former penitentiary adds weight to the stories of prisoners and staff. Exhibitions use engaging formats to explain daily life, rules and changes in the prison system over time, making it suitable for adults and older children travelling together.

A substantial, award-winning museum inside a former state prison, offering an in-depth look at life behind bars.

Planning your visit

How long to stay

Allow 1.5–3 hours, depending on how many exhibitions and stories you explore.

Best time to visit

Mornings or later in the afternoon are often calmer, giving you more space to move through the former prison wings and read the exhibition texts in peace.

Around here

Nearby on the Margueritruten

• Museum Pass - visit 4 Horsens museums in 7 days

  Museum · 32 m

• The park at the prison in Horsens

  Park · 106 m

• King Erik Menved's Castle

  Historic building · 1.0 km

• The Wolf's Valley (Ulvedalen)

  Park · 1.1 km

• Town archives in Horsens

  Museum · 1.2 km

• The Four Meadows

  Park · 1.2 km

Frequently asked

What is The Prison Museum in Horsens about?

The Prison Museum focuses on the history of Horsens State Penitentiary and on life inside a real prison. Exhibitions follow both prisoners and staff through different periods, using original prison spaces and displays to show daily routines, discipline, work and the human stories linked to imprisonment. It is designed to present factual information about the prison system in an engaging, accessible way for visitors of various ages.

How long should I plan for a visit to The Prison Museum?

Many visitors spend around two to three hours at The Prison Museum, especially if they want to move through several wings and take time to read and interact with the exhibitions. A shorter visit is possible if you only look at the main sections, but allowing a bit more time gives a better sense of both the building and the stories of prisoners and staff.

Is The Prison Museum suitable for children?

The exhibitions are designed to be engaging for different age groups, with an emphasis on storytelling and accessible explanations of how the prison system worked over time. Some parts deal with serious topics, so parents may want to guide younger children through the material and choose which sections to focus on, but families with school-age children can expect a meaningful shared visit.

Can I see the original prison buildings at The Prison Museum?

Yes, the museum is located in the former Horsens State Penitentiary, so you experience the exhibitions inside the old prison complex itself. As you walk through corridors and former cells, you get a direct sense of the building’s structure and atmosphere, which supports the stories about everyday life for inmates and staff. The surrounding area also allows views of the exterior.

How close is The Prison Museum to other places to visit in Horsens?

The Prison Museum stands close to several other stops in Horsens. You can easily combine your visit with a walk in the park at the prison, and it is a short distance by car or on foot to other local sights such as King Erik Menved's Castle and the town’s other museums, especially if you are using a multi-museum pass.

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