Vilniaus kenesa, Vilnius

Kienesa in Vilnius - Kienesa Karaimska located in Vilnius at 6 Liubarto Street in the Zwierzyniec district.

Kienesa was built in 1913-1922 for the then large Karaima commune in Vilnius, according to the design of the Russian architect Mikhail Proseów in the area where the wooden Kienes was previously located. According to some opinions, the architecture of Kienesy was modeled on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, Great Britain. The years of World War I stopped the construction. The ceremonial consecration of Kienesy in Vilnius and its opening took place on September 9, 1923. This was done by Hazzan Feliks Malecki, who was the head of the Vilnius Karaim religious community. After the end of World War II, in 1949, Kienesa was closed at the order of the then city authorities. In 1989 it was recovered by the reborn Karaim commune. The solemn service with the participation of Hazzan Michał Firkowicz took place on March 9, 1989. However, many equipment from the old equipment has been lost. The gold -plated altar from the cypress tree disappeared. Persian carpets, analoys, altar curtains, altar and side candlesticks, two chandeliers, wooden benches have also disappeared. The candlesticks hanging today were donated by Halicki Karaims. They were able to take them off before their kienesy was destroyed.

Kienesa was built on a rectangular plan in a mahile style with a dome crowning the facade. He is one of the most interesting buildings in Vilnius. The interior is divided into three parts, the main large prayer room for men, a gallery for women and a vestibule. There is Echał next to the southern wall.