Sensitive Sites

A complete guide to culturally sensitive sites in Lithuania.

TRAVEL VILNIUS SAFELY

Lithuania's Controversial Landmarks:
A Closer Look

Updated: June 21, 2023

(this page will be updated often with additional sites added.)

As you prepare to attend the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania from 11-12 July 2023, we would like to bring to your attention additional sites in the country that have been identified as problematic due to their association with individuals who collaborated with the Nazis during the Holocaust. We advise you to be aware of these sites to avoid inadvertently appearing next to or unintentionally visiting them.

Before we list these sites, it’s important to understand the historical context and the accusations against the individuals honored at these locations:

Jonas Noreika: Collaborated with the Nazis during their occupation of Lithuania and played a significant role in the persecution and mass murder of Lithuanian Jews during the Holocaust.

Kazys Škirpa: He advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Jews in Lithuania and was a prominent figure in the pro-Nazi Lithuanian Activist Front.

Juozas Ambrazevičius Brazaitis: He was the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Lithuania during the Nazi occupation and was a collaborator in the Holocaust.

Antanas Baltūsis-Žvejas: He is accused of involvement in the persecution of Jews.

Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas: There are concerns about his role during the Nazi occupation.

Povilas Plechavičius: He engaged in antisemitic activities during the Nazi occupation.

Adolfas Ramanauskas: There are concerns about his activities during the Nazi occupation.

 

Vilnius:

Honored Individual

Type of Honor

Specific Location

Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas

Bust

Outside the Ministry of National Defense

Jonas Noreika

Plaque

On the Wroblewskis Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

Jonas Noreika

Name

On the wall of national heroes on the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

Kazys Škirpa

Street

Named after June 23, 1941

Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas

Street

Named after him

Kaunas:

Honored Individual

Type of Honor

Specific Location

Jonas Noreika

Street

Named after him

Kazys Škirpa

Street

Named after him

Kazys Škirpa

Street

Named after June 23, 1941

Kazys Škirpa

Plaque

On a government military building

Juozas Ambrazevičius Brazaitis

Bas-relief and lecture hall

At Vytautas Magnus University

Juozas Ambrazevičius Brazaitis

Street

Named after him

Antanas Baltūsis-Žvejas

Street

Named after him

Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas

Bust

In the memorial park of Vytautas the Great War Museum

Povilas Plechavičius

Memorial plaque and a cadet academy

In Kaunas

Adolfas Ramanauskas

Street

Named after him

Kaunas, in particular, may be promoted as a destination by Lithuanian officials due to its designation as the European Capital of Culture in 2022. While there are many cultural and historical sites of interest in the city, we advise you to be aware of the above-mentioned sites.

We believe that your awareness and understanding of these sites will contribute to a respectful and informed visit to Lithuania. We look forward to a successful NATO Summit.