Soviet Stories from Vilnius
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Soviet Stories from Vilnius
/ Lithuania / Vilnius County / Vilnius city municipality / Vilnius / Tours & Activities /
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Soviet Stories from Vilnius

3 h
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About this activity
Exploring the Soviet past in Vilnius means diving into its quirks and absurdities, the funny and sad stories, and the harsh realities about life in ‘the best country in the world.’ On this Vilnius tour, you’ll learn about Stalin’s horrors, as well as the struggles, resistance, and drive for freedom that destroyed the Soviet empire.

We’ll meet for our Vilnius walking tour at the Town Hall, then walk toward the Jewish quarter and visit the local market, where not many things have changed, except the prices. Here we will try a Lithuanian specialty: salted and smoked bacon and “black bread,” which helped people to survive through both good and bad times. Then we’ll walk toward the former railway workers’ union house a unique place that’s now converted into a nightclub and skating park, and decorated with modern art. You’ll learn why workers needed a palace and why some factories had no address, only a mailbox.

We'll head to the Soviet block apartment district. We’ll talk about what life was like in those apartments and what it felt like to be a citizen during that era. What was it like to live in the "best country in the world"? We’ll discuss all the details and rituals of daily life, like what locals ate for breakfast, and find out why good friends were more important than money. Next up on this Vilnius tour, it’s time to explore cuisine à la Soviet! Find out why kitchens in Soviet blocks were limited to nine square metres in size, and why canned green peas and mayonnaise were top products at that time. We’ll then pop into a Soviet-inspired restaurant to taste very special ‘delicacies’ from Soviet times. Don’t be afraid they’re actually surprisingly tasty! We’re talking about deep-fried pastry with minced meat and onion filling, which would only be prepared for special occasions. We’ll also try some Lithuanian soup, because Lithuanians can’t imagine lunch without it! And a glass of beer too, of course.

We’ll then do as the locals do and hop aboard public transit to the wedding palace, where we’ll tell you all about wedding traditions from Soviet times. We’ll also walk to a trade unions’ palace, built on a cemetery, where there are other Soviet secrets to share. We’ll hear about the importance of connections and the meaning of a Soviet saying, “It is better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles.”

From here, we’ll take in the sweeping view including spying the legendary TV tower and the most popular pub in Soviet Lithuania. It is said that beer flew through the pipes here directly from the brewery, and people could talk freely here, as it was too noisy for the KGB to spy on them.

Our final stop will be where the Soviet era both started and ended: the former KGB headquarters, now a famous museum. It used to be said that one could see Siberia from there. Across the street, there used to be the biggest monument to Lenin in Lithuania and here you will find out what happened to him when the Soviet era ended.
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Included
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Food tasting and snack
  • Glass of beer
Not included
  • Additional food and drinks (beer, mead and wine are available)
  • Entrance to the KGB museum (EUR 4 per person)
  • Public transport ticket (EUR 1 per person)
  • Tips/gratuities for your guide
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
  • Travelers under 12 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
Features
Sport
60%
Tourism
25%
Adrenaline
25%
Reviews
5.0
4
C
Christi S
5 | 2017-10-02

Vilija was my tour guide and she did not disappoint! I went on the tour in late September and ended up being the only one who signed up that day. Vilija tailored the tour just for me to make sure I got the best, most interesting experience. She showed me all of the main Soviet remains of Vilnius, explained their historical significance, and told interesting stories about her own personal experiences related to Soviet life. These stories were meaningful and allowed me to better understand Vilnius' Soviet history. The restaurant we visited was a taste literally! of how people in Vilnius ate during the Soviet era, which was one of my favorite parts of the tour. The food and drinks were absolutely amazing. Afterward, I was shown everything from the buildings people got married and divorced in during Soviet times to a lovely panoramic view of Vilnius. The famous TV tower, an old Soviet sock factory that still makes and sells socks in adjacent shop, and monuments were among other highlights. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the Soviet history of a country who has withstood repeated occupations.

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