Attractions

• Central Watch Tower
• Chief Warden's Office
• Cell Blocks & Gallows
• Sculpted Prisoners
• Jail Museum
• Amphitheatre & Sculpture Court
• Musical Fountains
• Ashoka Pillar
• Freedom Wall

Freedom Park

  is a unique park that pays tribute to the Indian freedom fighters. The park which once served as a prison now serves as a lung space in the heart of the buzzling city; There are 2 entrances: the main entrance in Seshadri Road, opposite Maharani's College and a second entrance in Ramachandra Road.

History

Freedom Park, the erstwhile Bangalore Central Jail, was built on 21 acres of land by the British in 1866 to house the increasing number of freedom fighters during the Indian War of Independence. Post independence, during the emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi Government, political leaders Vajpayee, L K Advani, Ramakrishna Hegde and Deve Gowda had been VIP prisoners here in 1977. In year 2000, when the number of prisoners outnumbered its capacity, the prison was relocated to Parappana Agrahara. BBMP converted 16 acres of the old prison to recreational area and opened to the public as Freedom Park. The high prison wall was pulled down and several trees were felled much to the displeasure of green activists. On 28 Feb 2009, the renovated area was inaugurated by its former inmate, L K Advani. True to its name, 5 acres have been allotted for democratic protests and rallies, on the lines of the Hyde Park in London.

Architecture

There is a central watch tower surrounded by radial cell blocks, like spokes of a wheel. The watch tower appears to be slightly tilted. While the heritage structures of the colonial past have been retained, a lot more modern facilities have been added. The park area can be broadly classified into general, museum and exhibition, contemporary art, retail, performance spaces and water features. The outer wall has been painted colourfully; lawns, gardens and fountains prompt the visitors to take a pleasant walk along the barracks. The VIP cell exhibits sculpted prisoners. There is the Jail museum, a Freedom Wall, Sculpture Court, Ashoka pillar, an amphi-theatre and a musical fountain.

Modern Facilities

The park has all the basic amenities for public : children's play area, cafeteria, toilets, parking lots, retail shops etc.