Pishchalauski Castle


The Minsk Detention Center No. 1 is the central prison of the Republic of Belarus located in Minsk.

Modern usage

Operated by the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, SIZO No. 1 is also the only facility that houses death row inmates. The execution of death row inmates occurs at the prison.
It is also a pre-trial detention centre where arrested political activists are held.

The building

The historical building is known as Pishchalauski Castle, also spelled Pischalauski Castle. The castle is also sometimes called the Belarusian Bastille. It is a registered state architectural monument.
The castle was built in 1825. It formerly served as a prison. The architect was named Pishchala.
A portion of one the castle's four towers collapsed in April 2008.

Famous inmates

Arrested during the 2020 presidential campaign">2020 Belarusian presidential election">2020 presidential campaign