Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial
About Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial
Râmnicu Sărat prison was built between 1898 and 1900 as the county's remand prison, on the model of French and English prisons. In 1907 rebel peasants were locked up here, and in 1938 the leaders of the Iron Guard, who were killed on the night they were due to be moved to Jilava. After 1947 it became a prison for political detainees, and from the second half of the 1950s one of the harshest in the country: each prisoner was held alone in a cell, under constant watch, forbidden to speak, to approach the window or to stay in bed during the day. Hence the name "prison of silence".
Among the prisoners were the National Peasants' Party leaders Ion Mihalache, who died here in 1963, Ilie Lazăr, Corneliu Coposu and Ion Diaconescu. The commandant, Alexandru Vișinescu, was finally sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. The prison closed in 1963 and was then used as a storehouse. Since 2007 it has been managed by IICCMER, the Institute for the Investigation of Communist Crimes, and in 2024 it was placed on UNESCO's Tentative List as part of the "Former Communist Prisons in Romania" nomination, alongside Jilava, Pitești, Făgăraș and Sighet.
What you can see
For now, only the exterior, from Strada Ion Mihalache, a few hundred metres from the railway station: the main building, with its façade of arched, barred windows, the wooden cross raised in front of the entrance in memory of the prison's martyrs, and the walls of the compound. Inside, the cells are laid out on the ground and upper floors on either side of a tall hall crossed by iron galleries. Around the town there are several monuments and memorial plaques dedicated to the prison's victims.
Good to know
IICCMER has closed the former prison to the public while the building is strengthened and the memorial is created. The project for the memorial and an educational centre on communism, originally due in June 2026, was removed from Romania's EU recovery plan (PNRR) in November 2025, after the archaeological survey, the demolition of later additions and the securing of two buildings. In 2026 new funding is being sought, the building continues to deteriorate and there is no opening date.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The façade of the main building, dating from 1900, with its arched, barred windows.
- The wooden cross in front of the entrance, raised in memory of the prison's martyrs.
- The long walls of the compound, visible from the street.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Râmnicu Sărat is ~50 km (~40 min) from Buzău and also ~50 km from Focșani on the A7 motorway, leaving for the town on the DN22, and ~160 km (~1h50) from Bucharest on the A3 and A7. The former prison is in the south of the town, at Strada Ion Mihalache 53, near the railway station.
Public transport: Râmnicu Sărat railway station, on the Bucharest – Buzău – Focșani line, is ~500 m away, about a 7-minute walk. The bus station is ~750 m to the north, about a 10-minute walk.
- Where to park
There is no visitor car park; park on the surrounding streets, in the district next to the station.
- Rules
The building is closed and under works: do not enter the yard without IICCMER's permission. The exterior can be viewed and photographed from the street. This is a place of memory for political prisoners, so behave with respect.
- Facilities
No visitor facilities at the former prison · cafés, shops and toilets in the town centre
Frequently asked questions about Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial
- How long does a visit to Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial take?
- A visit to Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial takes about 20 min (exterior only, from the street).
- Where can I park at Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial?
- There is free parking at Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial (on the surrounding streets). There is no visitor car park; park on the surrounding streets, in the district next to the station.
- How do I get to Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial?
- Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial is located at Strada Ion Mihalache 53, Râmnicu Sărat, Buzău County. By car: Râmnicu Sărat is ~50 km (~40 min) from Buzău and also ~50 km from Focșani on the A7 motorway, leaving for the town on the DN22, and ~160 km (~1h50) from Bucharest on the A3 and A7. The former prison is in the south of the town, at Strada Ion Mihalache 53, near the railway station. Public transport: Râmnicu Sărat railway station, on the Bucharest – Buzău – Focșani line, is ~500 m away, about a 7-minute walk. The bus station is ~750 m to the north, about a 10-minute walk.
- When is the best time to visit Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial?
- The best season for Râmnicu Sărat Prison Memorial: All year round (exterior visible at any time).
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