Jewish Šnipiškės old cemetery place (Vilnius)

 jewish cemetery, Cultural heritage of Lithuania

The cemetery served here since 16th century of even previously. It reached the bigggest area (4,3 hectares) during 18-19th centuries. It belonged to Vilnius castle jurisdiction. In 1817 Russia`s administration decided to close the Jewish cemetery, but this decision decame operative in 1831 when the building of fortress started. Fortress teritory covered about ¼ cemetery territory, meanwhile the rest territory was left as strafe field. Russian empire government paid compensation to all. In 1935 Poland administration announced this cemetery as museum heritage. After WWII Soviet government demolished the cemetery fully and built a swimming pool and Concert and Sports Palace. Little part of entombments remained, which weren't destroyed after fortress, Concert and Sport Palace and different underground trace building works.