Jewish cemeteries of Kaunas
Encyclopedia
The Jewish cemeteries of Kaunas are the four Jewish cemeteries
of the Lithuanian
Jews living in Kaunas
, known to them as Kovne, Lithuania
. Jewish people started settling in Kaunas in the second half of the 17th century. They were not allowed to live in the city, so most of them stayed in the Vilijampolė
settlement on the opposite than Kaunas Castle
right bank of the Neris River, near the its confluence with the Nemunas River. Since the second half of the 19th century, Kaunas became a major center of Jewish cultural and economic activity in Lithuania.
The oldest Jewish cemetery in Vilijampolė was destroyed by the Soviet authorities
after the World War II
during the Soviet occupation and Lithuanian SSR
times, and the fourth is still active.
The second and the largest Jewish cemetery is situated in the residential Žaliakalnis
elderate, near the Ąžuolynas
park. Among others, the Rabbi of Kovno and the head of Kovno Kollel
Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor
was buried in the Jewish cemetery of Žaliakalnis. The cemetery is left neglected at the moment.
The third cemetery is located in the Panemunė
elderate on the left bank of the Nemunas River. Only 3 gravestones
are visible in the Jewish cemetery of Panemunė.
The fourth and still active Jewish cemetery is located in Aleksotas
elderate near the Nemunas River.
Jewish cemetery
A Jewish cemetery is a cemetery where members of the Jewish faith are buried in keeping with Jewish tradition....
of the Lithuanian
History of the Jews in Lithuania
The history of the Jews in Lithuania spans the period from the eighth century to the present day. There is still a small community in that country, as well as an extensive Lithuanian Jewish diaspora in Israel, the United States and other countries. For more detail, see Lithuanian Jews.-Early...
Jews living in Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
, known to them as Kovne, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. Jewish people started settling in Kaunas in the second half of the 17th century. They were not allowed to live in the city, so most of them stayed in the Vilijampolė
Vilijampole
Vilijampolė is an elderate in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, located on the right bank of the Neris River and the Nemunas River, near their confluence. The elderate covers 1,720 hectares and houses about 32,000 people....
settlement on the opposite than Kaunas Castle
Kaunas Castle
Kaunas Castle is located in Kaunas, Lithuania. Archeological evidence suggests that it was originally built during the mid-14th century, in the Gothic style. Its site is strategic – a rise on the banks of the Nemunas River near its confluence with the Neris River...
right bank of the Neris River, near the its confluence with the Nemunas River. Since the second half of the 19th century, Kaunas became a major center of Jewish cultural and economic activity in Lithuania.
The oldest Jewish cemetery in Vilijampolė was destroyed by the Soviet authorities
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
after the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
during the Soviet occupation and Lithuanian SSR
Lithuanian SSR
The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Lithuanian SSR, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union...
times, and the fourth is still active.
The second and the largest Jewish cemetery is situated in the residential Žaliakalnis
Žaliakalnis
Žaliakalnis is an elderate in Lithuania's second largest city, Kaunas. Žaliakalnis is located north of the old town and the downtown area, between the Neris and Girstupis rivers...
elderate, near the Ąžuolynas
Ažuolynas
Ąžuolynas is a public park in Lithuania's second largest city, Kaunas, in the Žaliakalnis neighbourhood. The park covers about 63 hectares and is the largest urban stand of mature oaks in Europe. Vydūnas Alley serves as the park's northern border. It is a popular recreational destination for the...
park. Among others, the Rabbi of Kovno and the head of Kovno Kollel
Kovno kollel
The Kovno Kollel also known as Kollel Perushim of Kovno or Kollel Knesses Beis Yitzchok, was a kollel located in Kaunas, Lithuania. It was founded in 1877 by Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter when he was 67....
Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor
Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor
Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor was a Russian rabbi, Posek and Talmudic sage of the 19th century.- Early struggles :...
was buried in the Jewish cemetery of Žaliakalnis. The cemetery is left neglected at the moment.
The third cemetery is located in the Panemunė
Panemune (Kaunas)
Panemunė is an elderate in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas, that was formally incorporated into Kaunas in 1931. It is located on the left bank of the Nemunas River. It occupies 24.78 hectares, with 22,140 inhabitants. The elderate encompasses the neighbourhoods of Vaišvydava, Vičiūnai, Panemunė and...
elderate on the left bank of the Nemunas River. Only 3 gravestones
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
are visible in the Jewish cemetery of Panemunė.
The fourth and still active Jewish cemetery is located in Aleksotas
Aleksotas
Aleksotas is an elderate in the southern section of the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, bordering the left bank of the Neman River . Its population in 2006 was 21,694....
elderate near the Nemunas River.