Soviet Times in Vilnius - Private Walking Tour with Lunch

15 min

Meet your Comrade guide on the steps into Vilnius Town Hall, next to the Tourism Information Office. Hear the introduction into historical context of USSR creation, stages of planned economy according the eras of Communist party leaders Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev.

15 min

Beginning our walking tour at the beginning of Vokiečių (Germans) street and finding out how this once main but still narrow street (9 m wide) of Vilnius Old Town as was widened 4 times to meet the criteria of avenues of Soviet ideology. Entering the biggest backyard of the street to discover more of Stalin’s Soviet ideology – why all nations and people are equal but some are more equal than others and Cold War bomb shelters for those “more equals”.

15 min

Rudininkai Square – Here you will get introduced to painful history of Ghettos, Holocaust and deportations to Siberia. Find out what targets Soviets have reached by systematically deporting and relocating whole nations.

10 min

Hear the story how Church was separated from the state and the belief in the Party substituted belief in God and how Lithuanians resisted this replacement and cancellation of Christmas celebration. Stay in constant “Wow!” listening about the culture of cues by grocery shops, lack of food and household products, reflected in the stories of personal experiences.

While passing St. Stephen’s street observe the buildings and discover the principles of Soviet communal housing – its peculiarities and “culture”, decades-long cues to get the tiny apartment from the state and how we have raised our children and grandchildren while waiting.

45 min

Lunch in Soviet-style café-canteen – now, Comrades, let’s have a lunch and experience Soviet service. Hear the stories of food chain in USSR. P.S. Food is edible and goes better with shot of vodka or pint of beer (in fact Soviet era dishes are quite delicious :)

15 min

The Hook (former Palace of Railway Workers) Get hooked on the absurdities of Soviet regime - various “palaces”/public spaces where Homo Sovieticus had to spend his/her leisure time participating in various workshops and classes, watching Soviet movies and attending propaganda-filled meetings.

We will continue strolling on Kaunas street, observing Soviet architecture and approaching industrial district where factories were producing mix of civil/military products. We unveil to you some secrets and classified facts.

Trolley bus ride – unforgettable experience first time in the life for many of you.

15 min

Palace of Marriages – another “palace” with its odd traditions and purpose to lead you not to the happiness but to regulated family life – for many - pure survival in order to advance in the cue for state housing. Find out why there was no sex in USSR.

15 min

Enjoy mesmerizing panoramic views to the City from Taurus Hill and discover another “palace” – The Palace of Unions, hear the stories about purpose and function of unions in Soviet Union. Observe the KGB eavesdrop free pub, KGB eavesdrop full hotel, TV Tower, Parliament. Find out more about Perestroika and Lithuania’s Way of Freedom, Singing Revolution and Declaration of Independence.

10 min

We conclude our tour by this gloomy building with the darkest history and let you go to spend time on your own in one of most visited museums in Lithuania. Farewell Friends!