The Great Synagogue in Vilnius was partly destroyed by the Germans during World War II. The ruined synagogue and the whole “schulhof” complex which had grown around it were demolished by the Soviet authorities from 1955 to 1957 and were intentionally replaced by a basketball court and a kindergarten to effectively prevent any future initiatives to rebuild a cultural monument.

With a view to perpetuating the memory of the former Jewish spiritual and cultural center – the Great Synagogue of Vilnius – a historical archaeological excavation of the site has been launched. The exploration team led by archaeologist Zenonas Baubonis is ready to embark on the exploration of the site of the former Jewish house of worship at Vokiečių Street 13A. This work is expected to be completed by September so that the elementary school of Vytė Nemunėlis, which happens to be in territory of the former Synagogue, could start on time.

"The Great Synagogue is not only about the Jewish history, it is a particularly important element in the Lithuania’s history of the colorful and multiethnic Vilnius. It is a place closely related with the great Jewish thinker Gaon, who lived and developed his thought in Vilnius, which was justifiably called the Northern Jerusalem, an intellectual Jewish center of the Central Europe. The above mentioned exploration is one of the most important steps towards the rediscovery of the lost Vilnius. The exploration is needed to properly commemorate the history of this significant site, which might become a magnet for tourists from all over the world, "- said Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

Last year, the analysis of the historical cartographic material that has survived till these days was carried out, thus enabling archaeologists to pinpoint specific areas for excavation to make the work as accurate as possible and help to identify key fragments of the former synagogue. The material served as the basis for the archaeological excavation program. In April, it was presented to Vytė Nemunėlis elementary school community, which has an active interest in the history of that place.

The findings of the archaeologists will shape a decision as to how to perpetuate the memory of the Great Synagogue.

The Great Synagogue of Vilnius was the most important Jewish spiritual and cultural center in Lithuania from the end of the sixteenth century until the forties of the twentieth century. There were times when this house of worship surpassed in its size and splendor all the synagogues built across the Commonwealth of the Two Nations. In spite of natural disasters, fires, enemy attacks, the artwork and precious items donated by most affluent members of the community survived in this Lithuanian Jewish temple for a considerable time.

World War I saw many of these items removed to Russia. The WWII brought a major destruction to the Great Synagogue of Vilnius, leaving but the walls and some elements of the interior. In the state like this, the Synagogue was still restorable, however the Soviets chose otherwise, and destroyed it completely in 1955-1957.