It’s hard to imagine that the prisoners confined in this Soviet labor camp ever envisioned the quarry they were forced to work in becoming a picturesque diving destination. Yet, time has a way of transforming the unexpected.
Once a feared stone fortress, the ruins of the abandoned prison camp near the quaint Estonian town of Rummu now draw visitors seeking beachside adventure. Established in the 1940s by the Soviet Union, the prison was strategically situated on the edge of a limestone quarry where inmates toiled relentlessly.
However, the formidable walls of the prison couldn’t withstand the winds of change. With Estonia reclaiming its independence in 1991, the Soviets departed, leaving behind a slew of abandoned institutions, including the labor prison at Rummu. Both the prison and the quarry were left deserted during this transition.
Left unchecked, the natural groundwater gradually inundated the former quarry, rapidly transforming it into a sprawling lake. The swift rise of the water engulfed mining machinery and even some buildings, submerging them beneath the surface.
Today, remnants of the former prison peek above the crystal-clear lake waters, attracting divers and intrepid beachgoers eager to explore the submerged ruins. The Rummu Prison site has been repurposed as an adventure center, welcoming visitors with various activities like snorkeling, paddleboarding, and canoeing during the summer months, with a nominal entrance fee of 3€.
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