{"id":9212,"date":"2026-08-31T14:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gvf.lt\/en\/?p=9212"},"modified":"2026-08-31T14:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:22:47","slug":"the-great-synagogue-of-vilnius-from-the-past-to-the-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gvf.lt\/en\/2026\/08\/31\/the-great-synagogue-of-vilnius-from-the-past-to-the-present\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Synagogue of Vilnius: From the Past to the Present"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As summer comes to an end, so does another season of archaeological excavations at the Great Synagogue of Vilnius.<\/p>\n

We are proud that the archaeological research \u2013 initiated in 2011, intensively funded by the Good Will Foundation since 2015, and conducted by the V\u0161\u012e \u201cKult\u016bros paveldo i\u0161saugojimo paj\u0117gos\u201c and the \u201cIsrael Antiquities Authority\u201d \u2013 was particularly extensive this year. Previous excavations revealed that the synagogue complex holds a deeply important and sensitive piece of Lithuanian Jewish history.<\/p>\n

Built in the 17th century, the brick synagogue underwent numerous renovations over the course of a couple of centuries, allowing the site to acquire a rich, multifaceted architectural character. Often referred to as the “Vilna Jewish Cathedral,” the Great Synagogue was renowned not only for its vibrant spiritual life but also for its impressive scale. The house of prayer measured 25 meters in length, 22.3 meters in width, and 12.1 meters in height. Additionally, the building was recessed two meters into the ground. This structural choice was driven not only by the construction restrictions imposed at the time on non-Catholic faiths, but also by a deliberate intent to create a grand, soaring interior. From the outside, the building did not tower over neighbouring structures and resembled a three-story building; however, stepping inside conveyed the breath-taking impression of entering a five-story space.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the synagogue’s interior was exceptional in both space and detail. Highlights included a three-story bimah surrounded by four Tuscan columns, as well as a magnificent Baroque Aron Kodesh, adorned with intricate stucco work depicting plants, animals, and traditional Jewish symbols. The synagogue is said to have accommodated several thousand worshippers and was celebrated as one of the most beautiful synagogues in the entire Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It also featured an ornamented terrazzo floor, which, along with the bimah, can be seen today during guided tours organized by the Good Will Foundation.<\/p>\n

The Great Synagogue became a vital social hub as well as a religious center for the Jews of Vilnius. Following its construction, a vibrant complex of diverse community buildings rapidly developed around it\u2014ranging from kosher butcher shops and communal baths to kloizes. Together, they formed the synagogue courtyard, known as the Shulhoyf. In the 18th century, the house of the Vilna Gaon was built here. The Vilna Gaon, born Elijah ben Solomon Zalman (1720, Sielec, present-day Belarus), was renowned for his extraordinary intellect. His profound knowledge and commentary on religious texts, combined with his ascetic lifestyle, established him as a paramount authority among European Jewry. Today, the Gaon\u2019s persona remains shrouded in myths and legends, one of the greatest mysteries being his actual appearance: despite numerous portraits depicting him, not a single likeness was made during his lifetime, all being painted long after his death. Nevertheless, his cultural and spiritual legacy remains an immensely important part of both Vilnius\u2019s heritage and Jewish history as a whole.<\/p>\n

World War II and the Holocaust killed much of the Vilnius Jewish community and erased the Great Synagogue and the Shulhoyf from the city\u2019s map. Although the damaged synagogue could still have been restored after the war, the Soviet authorities decided to demolish it, erecting a kindergarten on the site in the 1960s. However, recent international archaeological investigations have uncovered unique subterranean fragments of the synagogue\u2019s foundations, the bimah, and the ritual baths (mikvehs).<\/p>\n

In 2020, a new and crucial chapter in honouring this historic site began when ownership of the remains of the Great Synagogue and mikveh buildings was transferred to the Good Will Foundation and the Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community. In collaboration with the Vilnius City Municipality, the Soviet-era kindergarten building was demolished in 2025.<\/p>\n

Following the demolition work, the remains of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius saw the light of day this year for the first time in more than 70 years. We take great pride in the Good Will Foundation’s role in this historic moment \u2013 not only by funding the archaeological research, but also by ensuring the site is open to the public. During the excavations, visitors had a unique opportunity to experience the ongoing work, explore the location, and connect with its history. The guided tours organized by the Good Will Foundation affirmed that the public cares deeply about the poignant history of this site and its meaningful commemoration.<\/p>\n

We look forward to sharing more upcoming initiatives dedicated to preserving and honouring the memory of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius.<\/p>\n

The Good Will Foundation invites you to guided tours of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius excavation site:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/gvf.lt\/en\/2026\/08\/24\/information-regarding-further-guided-tours-of-the-great-synagogue-of-vilnius\/<\/a><\/p>\n

To learn more about this year\u2019s archaeological excavations, click here:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/gvf.lt\/en\/2026\/07\/28\/the-great-synagogue-of-vilna-vilnius-reemerges-from-the-ground\/<\/a><\/p>\n