Old Melbourne Gaol is a museum housed in a former prison building on Russell Street in Melbourne. Among the museum's exhibits are the posthumous masks and memorabilia memorabilia of some famous criminals, including the infamous Ned Kelly. This "forest hunter" was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1880, executed and buried on the prison grounds. Over the entire history of the prison, 135 people were executed there. Today, about 140,000 tourists visit the museum annually.
Construction of the prison began in 1839 and was finally completed only 23 years later. The project included the use of many innovations to better control of prisoners, a ventilation system for the building, and steam heating, but not all plans were realised. In 1924, the prison was closed and part of the building was even dismantled. During the Second World War II and later the building was used as a warehouse. Only in 1972 the former prison was turned into a museum.
It is said that the ghosts of prisoners roam the corridors of the prison at night, and local parapsychologists have even recorded the voice of a woman calling for help!
In 1957, the Old Melbourne Prison building was listed as a national treasure. Today it is considered the oldest prison facility in Victoria.
