Vilnius (in Yiddish: Vilne) used to be a very important Jewish center in Europe. From the 14th century onwards Jews settled in the city, and by the 18th century Vilne had become the world center of traditional Talmudic learning, eventually becoming known as the Jerusalem of Lithuania, or more generally, the Jerusalem of the North.
Vilnius city tour including the main historic and architectural monuments of the town. Medieval Jewish Quarter its lanes and courts, Gaon and Jewish streets, the history of Great Synagogue of Vilna, the personality of Vilna Gaon. World famous Jewish printing house “Widow and Brothers Romm”. Ghettos of Vilna where more than 40.000 Jews were concentrated in 1941-1943, the building of Judenrath of the Rudininku street. Also visit to the The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum telling a tragic story of the Jewish community.
The Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum is a national, government-financed institution that collects, conserves, investigates, restores and exhibits the historical, material and spiritual heritage of Lithuanian Jews, traditional and modern Jewish objects of art and documents and objects connected with the Holocaust. The museum has five branches. They demonstrate different aspects of the historical and cultural heritage and tragedy of Jews.
Later drive top Kaunas. City tour includes the most interesting – architectural and historic monuments in the Old Town - former Kaunas Jewish ghetto, Sugihara‘s House (Kaunas), Choral sinagogue (Kaunas). Kaunas choral synagogue is striking for its black and golden colors, as well as its Children's memorial. From Synagogue you’ll be able to pass the house where the poet Leah Goldberg once lived, and visit the area that once contained the vibrant Jewish Ghetto, ultimately incinerated by the Nazis. Stand at the spot where the members of the Kaunas Ghetto once lined up and waited as Nazi officers assigned their fate.Also you will be able to visit the The Ninth Fort (for additional price upo availibility), a former death site of thousands of Jewish nationals during the World War II. There Jews were imprisoned overnight, only to be executed in the surrounding open fields the next morning. Visit the Museum within the fort, and pay respects at the memorials on the open grounds which surround it.
The package price: 130 Eur/pax when travelling 2 people
The tour package includes:
- Sightseeing tour with English speaking guide as per itinerary;
- Transport services in Vilnius and to/back from Kaunas;
- Admission fees to Jewish State museum.
