Shame that so poorly maintained. Exhibits (electronic) not functioning, brochures explaining photos out of stock . Wasted so much time trying to get things to work, then, we're told museum is closing and we've not even seen half of it. Complained about the things that weren't working etc and just received the Shrug. Shame
The Museum of Underground Prisoners
The years leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel were marked not only by bitter conflict between the Jewish and Arab populations in Mandatory Palestine but also by an at-times violent Jewish revolt against the colonialist British presence in the Holy Land. The Jewish underground targeted British officers, infrastructures and key buildings, their most famous attack being the bombing of the King David Hotel in July, 1946.
The anti-British activities were spearheaded by three underground organizations: The Haganah, the Irgun and Lehi. When the British captured Palestine from the Ottoman’s in 1917, they converted the Russian Compound in downtown Jerusalem into an administrative headquarters, and part of it became a central prison. During these years of British occupation, hundreds of prisoners were kept in this facility, many of them members of the Jewish underground. During the 1948 War of Independence, the prison was captured by Jewish fighters in a military campaign known as Operation Pitchfork.
After the State of Israel was founded, the compound was used for various purposes, until 1991, when the prison was restored by the Defense Ministry and turned into a museum. The museum’s exhibitions are the rooms themselves: The prison cells; the synagogue room; a cell that housed Jewish prisoners and is associated with legendary Jerusalem saint Rabbi Aryeh Levin, who would come there to meet with the prisoners on Shabbat and holidays; the exercise yard; the solitary confinement room; and more. The walls and spaces of the Museum of Underground Prisoners are filled with memories and stories from the pre-state days. A tour of the premises is a somber, sobering experience, but rewarding nonetheless.
Photo: Moshe Cohen
TripAdvisor Reviews
Prior to Israel becoming a state, the British were in control and many Jews living in British Palestine at the time felt that the only way to get the British out was to create trouble for them. Those fighters, when caught were imprisoned at this location which has now become a museum. It's...
MorePrior to Israel becoming a state, the British were in control and many Jews living in British Palestine at the time felt that the only way to get the British out was to create trouble for them. Those fighters, when caught were imprisoned at this location which has now become a museum. It's a small museum but very authentic and very interesting.
LessWe were just walking around in Jerusalem from Ben Yahuda Street and stumbled across this museum. It is not the greatest museum ever and staff are not overly friendly, but that is common in Israel so not just at this museum. It is not too expensive and you can do a self tour. If...
MoreWe were just walking around in Jerusalem from Ben Yahuda Street and stumbled across this museum. It is not the greatest museum ever and staff are not overly friendly, but that is common in Israel so not just at this museum. It is not too expensive and you can do a self tour. If you have 2 hours or so spare this is not a bad option.
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