Photo by Laima Gūtmane (simka… / CC BY-SA 3.0
🏚️ Abandoned PlacesŠiauliaiEasy access
Joniškis Synagogue
Joniškis, Šiauliai30 minutesBest: Year-round
The striking red-brick ruins of a 19th-century synagogue in northern Lithuania — a poignant reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community that was destroyed during the Holocaust.
The Joniškis synagogue ruins are among the most powerful reminders of Lithuania's lost Jewish heritage. This striking red-brick building, dating from the 19th century, served a vibrant Jewish community that made up a significant portion of the town's population before World War II.
The community was almost entirely destroyed during the Holocaust, and the synagogue fell into ruin during the Soviet period. Today, the standing walls of the once-grand building serve as a memorial to the community that worshipped here.
Why Visit
A poignant reminder of the Jewish community that once thrived in Lithuanian towns. The architectural remains are both beautiful and deeply sad.
56.2333, 23.6167
Visitor Tips
- 1Treat the site with respect
- 2The exterior is the main attraction
- 3Information about the Jewish community available at the town museum
- 4Part of Lithuanian Jewish heritage trails