Vilkija


Vilkija is situated in the Kaunas district municipality, Lithuania. It is located north-west of Kaunas. It's right on the north side of the river Nemunas, the most important river in Lithuania.

Etymology

The name of Vilkija originated when people living on the opposite side of Nemunas heard the packs of wolves howling in the surroundings of
the place where contemporary Vilkija is situated. From then on, this land is called Vilkija and this name may have been derived from words vilkų gauja meaning a pack of wolves.

History

During summer and fall 1941, mass executions of 800 Jews were perpetrated by an Einsatzgruppen of Germans and Lithuanian nationalists. Murdered Jews were from Vilkija and nearby villages.

Notable people