Alternate names: Vilkija [Lith], Vilki [Rus, Yid], Wilkija [Pol], Wilki [Ger], Vil'kiya, Vėlkėjė, Vilkijos, Russian: Вильки. ווילקי- Yiddish. 55°03' N, 23°35' E, 16 miles NW of Kaunas (Kovno), on the Nieman River. 1900 Jewish population: 1,431. Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego (1880-1902), XIII, p. 476: "Wilkija". The small parking lot just past Kovno Street on the right on the edge of a steep incline with a beautiful view of the river and pastures was the site of the synagogue . All that remains is part of the brick foundation at the bottom of the incline. The synagogue was destroyed when the road was paved. [March 2009]
CEMETERY: pictures, more information see: "The cemetery is just east of the town on the right hand side of the road coming from Kaunus. It is just past the Christian cemetery, which is on the left side. There is a small wooden sign that says "Zydu Kabines" (Jewish Cemetery). Follow the path by car into the woods about 0.5 km on the left. There are about 80 stones in very good condition. Walking into the cemetery, the oldest stones are on the left side. A few were from 1860's, but most from 1890-1920. We met two local Lithuanian woman who care for the cemetery and its vegetation. They have erected small stakes around the cemetery to form a fence and are starting to plant pine saplings. When asked if they get paid for doing this they said, "No. It is our duty to due this. As Lithuanians, we must remember."
Cemetery information. [September 2010]
MASS GRAVE: Forest of Pakarkle, near the village of Jaucakiai 2 km from Vikija; 96; pic. # 97 and Village of Jagminiskiai, Vilkija county, the remains were brought to the massacre site in the forest of Pakarkle near the village of Jaucakiai; 96; pic. # 97 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. See Cekiske for more details of the murders.