10 most important cemeteries in Vilnius

Cemeteries play an important part in discovering Lithuania’s history and culture. Vilnius cemeteries preserve memories of many famous cultural, scientific and public figures who have long gone, as well as those of ordinary Vilnius citizens. People attend the graves of their relatives, locals and tourists visit the graves of prominent cultural and public figures. Standing out in the contemporary Vilnius landscape is the oldest cemetery in Vilnius named Rasų. Founded in the end of the 18th century, Rasų cemetery used to be the main Vilnius cemetery where Lithuanians, Polish, Belarusians and other nationals were laid to rest in the 19-20th century. Buried here are participants of uprisings and wars, leaders of national revivals, prominent politicians and public figures, poets and writers, artists, University professors and ordinary citizens. The centuries old Bernardine cemetery, founded in the beginning of the 19th century has the only surviving ancient columbarium in Lithuania. This cemetery is considered one of the best preserved and most beautifully historic cemeteries in Europe. In this peaceful and quiet cemetery, among others, dozens of Vilnius University professors, high ranking officers of the Napoleon army, famous artists, musicians, writers and other outstanding people of the 19-20th century are buried. The multitude of nations that shaped the history of Vilnius traditionally had their own separate cemeteries. There is a functioning Jewish cemetery with the mausoleum of the Jewish spiritual leader Gaon on Sudervės Road; a Russian Orthodox cemetery on Liepkalnio Street; an Old Believers’ cemetery on Naujininkų Street, the Karaite and Tatar cemetery on Žirnių Street holds the grave of Hadji Seraya Chan Shapshal, the Karaite spiritual leader. Some cemeteries haven’t survived until modern times. The Evangelical Lutheran cemetery on Tauras hill, Jewish cemeteries in Šnipiškės and in the area of Olandų Street were destroyed during Soviet times. Soldiers of the few foreign armies that marched though Lithuania and fighters for the freedom of Lithuania have been laid to rest in Vilnius soil also. Graves of Lithuanian and Polish soldiers who fought in the wars of the beginning of the 20th c. lay side by side in Naujųjų Rasų cemetery. Antakalnio cemetery is the final resting place of soldiers of the Napoleon army, soldiers of both World Wars and fighters for the freedom of Lithuania. Panerių forest commemorates the Jews, Polish, Lithuanians and other nationals killed by Nazis.