The Arnhem Koepelgevangenis is a 19th-century panopticon-design prison — a circular building with tiers of cells arranged around a central observation point — that operated as a working prison from its construction in 1886 until 2016. The building is a striking piece of Victorian-era institutional architecture: the central dome, the radiating wings, and the sense of enforced visibility built into the design are immediately apparent.
Since closing as a prison, the building has been converted to a multi-purpose cultural venue, hosting concerts, theatre events, and temporary exhibitions. Tours of the building are available and cover the architecture, the history of the panopticon design concept, and the prison's actual history over 130 years of use. Located on the western edge of the city centre, about 10 minutes' walk from the Korenmarkt.