Vilnius Launches “Unearthing the Great Synagogue of Vilna” Exhibition Inspired by a Decade of Archeological Research

Vilnius Launches “Unearthing the Great Synagogue of Vilna” Exhibition Inspired by a Decade of Archeological Research

Once the historic “Jerusalem of the North,” Lithuania’s capital is rediscovering the destroyed Great Synagogue of Vilnius through a decade-long international archaeological excavation. The new exhibition, opening on May 19, presents artifacts recovered from the 16th-19th centuries and art pieces, reflecting Jewish heritage in Lithuania. 

Vilnius is rediscovering its lost Jewish heritage in a decade-long international project with teams from Lithuania, Israel, and the United States excavating the remains of the Great Synagogue – once the spiritual and cultural heart of Jewish life in Lithuania. Artifacts found during excavations will be showcased at the Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History from May 19th until January 31st, 2027.

 

Built in the 17th century, the Great Synagogue of Vilnius was considered one of the most important Jewish religious, cultural, and community centres in Eastern Europe for centuries. Alongside the legacy of the Vilna Gaon (a legendary Jewish sage), it helped establish Vilnius as the “Jerusalem of the North.” Around the synagogue stood the shulhoyf –  a dense complex of prayer houses, shops, meeting spaces for religious societies, and the renowned Strashun Library, forming the heart of Jewish life in the city.

 

The exhibition, called “Unearthing the Great Synagogue of Vilna,” highlights discoveries from archaeological excavations carried out at the site since 2011. Thousands of artifacts, including fragments of the bimah, architectural details, coins, and historical objects dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries help reconstruct the story and significance of the Great Synagogue within the Jewish heritage of Vilnius.

 

The Great Synagogue of Vilnius was heavily damaged during World War II. Members of the Jewish community and staff of the restored Jewish museum sought to preserve its memory, yet the building continued to deteriorate, the shulhoyf was gradually dismantled, and between 1955 and 1957 the synagogue was ultimately demolished by the Soviet administration.

 

“Over more than a decade of international research conducted between 2011 and 2021, excavations at the site of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius uncovered nearly 5,000 artifacts. The archaeological research project, The Great Synagogue of Vilnius and the Shulhoif, was led by Dr. Jon Seligman and carried out together with archaeologists Justinas Račas and Zenonas Baubonis, and previously also with the late Prof. Richard Freund. These discoveries help reconstruct not only the architectural form of the synagogue itself, but also the daily life, religious practices, and identity of the Jewish community that shaped Vilnius for centuries. This exhibition presents some of the most significant findings from the excavations, accompanied by detailed descriptions prepared by Dr. Jon Seligman, ” says one of the exhibition curators, dr. Dovilė Čypaitė-Gilė.

 

Besides the uncovered artifacts, the exhibition also presents artist Rafael Chwoles’ paintings and photographs from 1945 to 1947. In his paintings, the Great Synagogue appears in ruins, where the artist's work captures the remains of the synagogue, the shulhoyf, and Jewish Vilnius. “My goal was to preserve the ruins,” the artist said of his mission in post-war Vilnius.

 

Chwoles’ pieces remain one of the few visual testimonies capturing Jewish Vilnius in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

 

Alongside the main exhibition, the rediscovery has inspired artist Eglė Ridikaitė, whose project “Depositions” was influenced by original floor motifs uncovered during excavations at the synagogue site. The life-size paintings of the Great Synagogue’s columns, mikvah and other exposed fragments are showcased inside the recently reopened Church of St. George, located in the Old Town.

 

As geopolitical instability in the world once again raises important questions about the fragility of cultural heritage, travelers increasingly seek experiences rooted in authenticity and personal connection. Indeed, the popularity of meaningful destination travelling is growing, as in 2025, cultural heritage tours accounted for almost 56% of the market share.
 

The Lithuanian capital is compact, walkable, and easily accessible from major European cities. Its diverse cultural history is widely recognized by travelers seeking meaningful cultural experiences rooted in memory and heritage. 

 

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