Jewish cemeteries of Vilnius, Jewish burial grounds in Vilnius, Lithuania
The Jewish cemeteries of Vilnius comprise three separate burial grounds with roughly 6,500 graves marked by stone monuments bearing Hebrew, Lithuanian, and Polish inscriptions. Each site reflects different periods and communities who laid their dead to rest there.
The first burial ground was established in 1487 near Gediminas Tower and served the community until Russian authorities closed it in 1831 for fortress construction. This early site marked the beginning of a long burial tradition in the city.
The Sudervės burial ground holds meaning for Jewish communities worldwide because it contains the tomb of a revered religious teacher from the 18th century. Visitors come to connect with this significant figure in Jewish history.
Visiting these burial grounds works best on weekdays during morning and afternoon hours when the sites are open to the public. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the different grave areas.
During the Soviet period, gravestones from the Olandų Street cemetery were removed and used as building material for various structures throughout the city. These stones remain scattered across different locations in Vilnius today.
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