Sixty kilometres from Hobart lies the infamous town of Port Arthur, now home to about 500 people. The first settlement here, on the Tasman Peninsula, appeared in 1830, and three years later a prison was built in Port Arthur. From 1833 to 1853, this was the place where the most dangerous criminals in Britain and Ireland, mostly repeat offenders. Juvenile criminals often ended up here, some of whom were as young as 9 years old - their crime most often consisted of stealing toys. And it was this prison, which operated until 1877, was famous for its incredibly harsh - conditions of confinement - both physical and psychological punishment. For example, food was only given to prisoners who had behaved well. The most obedient could even receive tea, sugar or tobacco - the most desirable items. And as punishment, prisoners could be kept for weeks on bread and water. The prisoners' contact with the townspeople and visiting sailors were strictly forbidden. Both adults and young convicts worked on building sites. Many went mad because of the lack of light and sound, and some committed suicide. There are 1,646 graves on the Isle of the Dead, located near the prison.
After the prison was closed, Port Arthur became a popular open-air museum. Today, the former prison is visited by guided tours and told scary stories about the spirits of the dead that still roam here today. In the local museum you can see records, everyday objects, clothing and personal belongings of the prisoners. UNESCO recognised the historical value of the site in 2010. Every year Port Arthur is visited by more than 250,000 tourists.
In 1996, Port Arthur reminded of itself a terrible tragedy: 28 April, a certain Martin Bryant shot 35 people in the streets of the city, among them not only local residents but also tourists. Another 21 people were seriously injured. As a result of the incident, firearms regulations have been severely tightened across Australia.
