Age
0+
Group size
1-4
Transport
On foot
Language
English
Duration
4 hours
About this experience
Vast uninhabited spaces, various privileges, and a tolerant policy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania created ideal conditions for the development of an enterprising community of persecuted Jews from all over the world. Vilnius beckoned numerous immigrants from Central and Western Europe and became a true northern Jerusalem for them. We will stroll through the historic center, I will show you places connected with the heritage of Litvak Jews, and tell you about the life of the Jewish community in the country, its influence on Lithuania, and its fate.
Program
You will learn:
- how the special tribe of Litvak Jews, whose homeland can be considered the entire territory of the Duchy, was formed;
- why Vilnius was a special city of Jewish prosperity and how it looked during that period;
- what the Jews of the city were engaged in and famous for, how they influenced its cultural development;
- how the indigenous people viewed the enlightened Litvaks;
- how things stood with the Black Hundreds movement and other forms of antisemitism;
- how the Jewish ghetto in Vilnius suffered during the Second World War and what remains of the extensive community today.
Route
- The tour will start with an overview of Old Vilnius and the quarters inhabited by Litvaks from a high point - the so-called Barbakan on Subachius Street.
- Then, crossing King Mindaugas Bridge, we will head to the city center to the castle and Gediminas Square.
- Along the main axis of the old city, Pilies Street, we will ascend to the Jewish quarters on Rudninku, Vokieciu, Stikliu, Zydus, and Gaono streets. There, around the Town Hall, the streets of merchants and craftsmen spread out in an elegant web - this is the so-called German Town. It was settled by invited by grand dukes newcomers from Western and Central Europe. Mostly they were Ashkenazi Jews, persecuted from settled places for religious reasons.
- Finishing the tour on the eponymous street, we will pass by the oldest Vilnius University and, bypassing the presidency, we will come out to the official Gediminas Avenue.
Organizational Details
Most of the route is on foot (we will walk about 8-9 thousand steps); some objects are located at a long distance - we will reach them by my car.
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