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Jewish History Tour: Explore Vilnius' Rich Heritage
4.9
145 Ratings
Vilnius
Step back in time and explore the rich Jewish history of Vilnius on a 2-hour walking tour. Discover the former Jewish quarter, the Small & Big Ghettos, and learn about the famous Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon.
Step back in time and explore the rich Jewish history of Vilnius on a 2-hour walking tour. Discover the former Jewish quarter, the Small & Big Ghettos, and learn about the famous Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Town Hall (Rotuse) - Our guide will meet you on the stairs of Vilnius Town Hall to give you an introduction to Jewish history in Vilnius before exploring streets of the former Jewish quarter.
- M. Antokolskio gatvė - After learning about Jewish history in the city, the guide will take you to see the narrow winding streets where Jews started…
- Town Hall (Rotuse) - Our guide will meet you on the stairs of Vilnius Town Hall to give you an introduction to Jewish history in Vilnius before exploring streets of the former Jewish quarter.
-
M. Antokolskio gatvė - After learning about Jewish history in the city, the guide will take you to see the narrow winding streets where Jews started moving to in the 16th century.
You will continue to explore narrow winding streets where Jews started moving to in the 16th century. - Stiklių gatvė - The guide will show one of the newest art projects to commemorate Jewish past - “Walls that remember”. You will also pass the famous Glassblowers’ street.
- Žydų gatvė - You will continue the tour through the Jewish street to see the damages done to Great Synagogue of Vilna during WWII and Soviet period.
- Vilna Gaon Monument - The guide will tell you the life story of famous Jewish Scholar who lived in Vilnius in 18th century.
- Vokiečių gatvė - You will leave the Small Ghetto behind and will get to the former territory of Big Jewish Ghetto. A possibility to have a short break on the German street if needed.
- Vilnius Choral Synagogue - Visit the only surviving synagogue in the city for additional 2 EUR fee. Visit possible if opened. Might be closed during Jewish holidays/other reasons
- Map of the Ghetto - The guide will explain to you about creations of two Ghettos during WWII in the former Jewish quarter. You will also learn about life in the ghettos and it’s liquidation.
- Žemaitijos gatvė - Visit the street where you can find preserved names of Jewish shops in Yiddish and Polish from interwar period. Towards the end of the street you will find a building which served as library during Ghetto years.
- Monument to Zemach Shabad - One of the most lovable statues in the city. Learn about famous Jewish doctor who lived in Vilnius.
- Žydų Kultūros Ir Informacijos Centras - Use the opportunity to get some extra information at the Jewish information office if needed, the guide will point you out the place.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Local guide
What's Not Included
- Entrance to the synagogue (2eur/person - cash only)
- Gratuites
- Entrance to the synagogue (2eur/person - cash only)
- Gratuites
Additional Information
Transport yourself back in time to familiarise yourself with the society that led Vilnius to be labelled as the ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’, and the era that permanently modified Vilnius’s appearance. Explore the previous Jewish district, the Small & Big Ghettos during WWII, tracing remnants of history. Discover the home of the renowned Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon and learn more about the Jewish chronicles of Vilnius.
Transport yourself back in time to familiarise yourself with the society that led Vilnius to be labelled as the ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’, and the era that permanently modified Vilnius’s appearance. Explore the previous Jewish district, the Small & Big Ghettos during WWII, tracing remnants of history. Discover the home of the renowned Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon and learn more about the Jewish chronicles of Vilnius.
Location
Vilnius Town Hall
Didžioji gatvė
Look for the guides with yellow signs/bags on the stairs of Vilnius town hall.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(145 Ratings)
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John_k
Oct 8, 2024
Great walking tour - A very interesting tour. Lots of stops to learn and hear stories from our guide. I found this tour very enjoyable even though the history is horrific.
Review provided by Viator
Kate_y
Oct 4, 2024
Really good tour of Jewish history - This walking tour of what used to be the Jewish area of Vilnius was really good. Since almost all of the area was destroyed during WWII by the Germans, without taking the tour, it would be hard to know what you are looking at. I had no idea that Vilnius was such a huge Jewish community before the war, and the extent of how many people were killed. I really appreciated all the information given by the guide during the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Elyana_k
Sep 6, 2024
Great insight into what Jewish life was like before the Holocaust - It was a great tour, well explained, and we really enjoyed it.
The guide was very knowledgeable and let us ask questions. Her English was very good as,well.
Review provided by Viator
Susie_b
Aug 31, 2024
Whether you have a Jewish background or not - this is a fascinating way to walk around the old Jewish Quarter. - Great tour with an engaging guide who had
onviously done his research even though he didn’t come from a Jewish background. Lots of variety and interesting things to see and learn about.
Review provided by Viator
Sonia_a
Aug 21, 2024
Good tour - The guide was informative and gave us a quick tour around the Jewish quarter and provide detailed information about history and the daily life inside it.
Review provided by Viator
Karensv9466nb
Aug 10, 2024
Interesting tour and great tour guide! - The tour guide was excellent! He was very knowledgeable and explained everything very clearly. He was friendly and open to any questions we had. I learned a lot about the Jewish people in Lithuania that I had not known,Great tour guide and tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tibonil
Aug 5, 2024
Molto interessante - Excellent! Very interesting and not too long and not too short . The guide try to Explain the different point of view. perfect!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nycinbp
Jul 26, 2024
Excellent introduction of Vilnius’ and Lithuania’s Jewish history - Saurnis (spelling?) was well informed, spoke clearly and knowledgeably and provided us with a very good introductory tour of major Jewish sites and events in the city. Good value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A6107svlinan
Jul 22, 2024
Excellent tour! - The tour was entertaining, easy going and very informative!
The price was absolutely worth it and we would recommend the tour to all our friends.
Now we have a completely different view of the city as we stroll through the old little streets.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robinmd6222is
Aug 25, 2024
Dissapointing - It was interesting to learn about history of Jewish people in Vilnius. Our guide, Kristina took us to various different Jewish sites which we wouldn’t have found ourselves.
Yet some questions remained unanswered.
One of them is about why there are only 60 stumble stones placed, while 70.000 Vilna Jews were murdered. In some European cities it is customary for such stones to be placed at every house where a Jewish person lIved that was killed during the war and didn’t come back.
Also there was no answer about on what basis the choices were made for whom a stumble stone should be placed and for whom not.
The guide told us a lot about the role Germans and Russians played during the wwII concerning the Jewish population in Vilnius, a little was told though about the collaboration on this matter of Lithuanian people with Germans and their taking a very active part in helping the Germans through the entire war. Though it is a painful part of history, I think it is important to talk about it, so things ll not be forgotten and lessons can be learned to secure peace and tolerance for everyone for the present and future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
