Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

The Eastern State Penitentiary, a hauntingly stark structure located in Philadelphia, United States, stands as a monument to a bygone era of penology. Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, today it operates as a museum, offering a glimpse into the lives of inmates and the history of the American penal system.

Constructed in 1829, Eastern State was designed to enforce strict isolation, embodying the Pennsylvania System of incarceration which believed solitude led to penitence. This revolutionary concept influenced prison design worldwide. The building's fortress-like walls and spoke-like layout of cell blocks made it architecturally distinct and an imposing presence in the city.

The penitentiary closed in 1971 after nearly 150 years of continuous use. It reopened to the public in the 1990s as a museum and historic site. Visitors can walk through its eerie corridors, explore the cellblocks, and step into the solitary confinement cells where inmates spent almost their entire day. The facility also hosts art installations and exhibits that provoke conversations on the current state of the criminal justice system.

Notable inmates of Eastern State included notorious gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton. Their former cells have been preserved, providing a stark contrast to the otherwise empty and decaying spaces.

Open year-round, the museum offers audio tours narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, giving an immersive experience of the penitentiary's history. The site also hosts seasonal events, including the "Terror Behind the Walls" Halloween attraction, which transforms the prison into a haunted house.