For centuries, Vilnius was known as the Jerusalem of Lithuania – a city where Jewish religion, science, business and culture flourished. However, this world tragically collapsed during World War II.
During this walk, we invite you to follow the entire path of Jewish community – from greatness to destruction.
The guide will reveal both the bright and painful pages of Lithuanian Jewish history – telling about the people, places and destinies that shaped Vilnius as it was before the war.
An excursion is guided by Viljamas Žitkauskas, a guide with many years of experience:
“I have been working in Lithuania and neighboring countries for more than 15 years. I specialize in Jewish history, culture and religion. It is important to mention that I acquired my knowledge not only from history textbooks, but also from growing up in the international Jewish community. From Vilnius to Israel. I have the qualification of Ba’ale Tfillah (a leader of services) and I am the initiator of the rebirth of the Maskil branch of Judaism in Lithuania.”
You will visit and see:
- Cathedral Square – the beginning of Jewish history in Lithuania
- Daukantas Square – Jews during the Russian Empire and their relations with Vilnius University
- Gaono, Stiklių, Mėsinių, Žydų streets – the former Jewish quarter and its authentic remains
- Monument to the Vilna Gaon – a symbol of the Jerusalem of Lithuania
- The site of the Great Synagogue – one of the most famous Jewish temples in Eastern Europe
- Vokiečių street – the epicenter of Jewish business and life
- Judenrat (Jewish Council) courtyard and the former ghetto theater building – testimonies of life in the ghetto
- Memorial plaque to T. Herzl and the Vilnius Choral Synagogue – a surviving example of a house of prayer
You will learn about:
- The origin of Jews in Lithuania and Vilnius
- The Vilnius Gaon and his influence on Jewish scholarship
- Who are the Litvaks and how do they differ from other Jews
- Why was Vilnius called the Jerusalem of Lithuania
- How was the Vilnius Ghetto established during the Nazi occupation in 1941
- How was daily life in the ghetto and who were its spiritual leaders
- About resistance and hope even in the darkest times
- We will inform you about the meeting point after receiving your registration form.
- You can choose your date (except Saturdays) and time.
- Language of the guided tour: Lithuanian, English, Hebrew, or Russian.
- Size of a group: 15-20 persons.
- Min. size of a group: 5 persons.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Price: 30 EUR / 1 person
If the tour does not take place due to no fault of the organizer or the customer cancels the tour less than 24 hours before its start, the money paid in advance for the tour is not returned.
Please fill the registration form below. We will contact you to settle the details and payment.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
- info@gvf.lt
- +370 650 91521
