Two Photographs – Gravesites of the Vilna Gaon and his Family and Others – Old Vilna Cemetery – Early 20th Century

Two Photographs – Gravesites of the Vilna Gaon and his Family and Others – Old Vilna Cemetery – Early 20th Century
Old Vilna cemetery, two photographs, by an unknown photographer. [Early 20th century].
Two photographs of the old Vilna cemetery before it was destroyed during WWII.
1. Photograph of the ohel (gravesite) of the Vilna Gaon with the inscription "HaGaon Rabbeinu Eliyahu". Other tombstones can be seen in the photo: the tombstone of the wife of the Vilna Gaon, the mutual tombstone of R. Eliyahu (Miles) and of R. Shlomo Zalman, father of the Vilna Gaon, tombstone of R. Shlomo Zalman [R. Zelme'le] of Volozhin (disciple of the Vilna Gaon and brother of R. Chaim Volozhin), tombstone of the father of R. Chaim of Volozhin and tombstones of other notables of the Vilna community.
11.5X17 cm. Good condition. Small open tear to the top right corner.
2. A wide angle photograph of the cemetery. The Gediminas Tower situated on the other side of the Neris River appears in the background. Two Jewish women in traditional attire are seen standing among the tombstones.
The Vilna Jewish cemetery is situated on the banks of the Neris River in Šnipiškės and is often called after the town. It is also known as the "Alter Feld" (old field) or Piramónt, after the adjacent estate. According to tradition, the Jews of Vilna began burying their dead in this cemetery in 1487 and ceased using it in 1830. The cemetery was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1949 and a sports stadium was constructed in its place. However, the authorities permitted removing the bones of the Vilna Gaon and the remains in other graves next to his and interring them in the new cemetery.
17X23 cm. Good condition. Open tears to the two right corners.