Ninth Fort

About

Built just before the outbreak of World War I, the Ninth Fort was part of a defensive ring that encircled Kaunas. After the war, the fort was first used as the city prison, and during the Soviet occupation, as a holding area for political prisoners before being sent off to Gulags. Under the Nazis, the fort was a death camp where up to 50,000 people were murdered. Today, the fort serves as a multi-part memorial. Visitors can join a variety of guided tours to learn about the crimes committed during Soviet and Nazi occupations in Lithuania, and the fort’s original military architecture and defenses. The museum showcases artefacts from the different stages of the fort’s history, ranging from World War I weapons, to prisoner uniforms and personal possessions. The fort and its chilling memories are dominated by one of the largest and most imposing Brutalist monuments in Europe.