Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran

Prienai, Lithuania - Original Linocut

Prienai, Lithuania - Original Linocut

Prienai is in the southern part of Lithuania on the shores of the Neman River. The town was built on both sides of the river, the main part being on the left side of the river, with a bridge linking both parts.

Prienai was first mentioned in 1502. Until 1795, Prienai was part of the Polish- Lithuanian Kingdom. The third division of Poland split the town into a Prussian portion and a Russian portion using the river as the new bounty line. Smuggling became a new and major industry. In 1868 a beer brewery, Goldberg's Brewery, was established there and became famous throughout Lithuania because of the quality of its products.

In April 1915, during World War I, the Russian military authorities expelled Jews from the town. Some settled in Vilna, but after the German army occupied Prienai, they returned home, finding their houses, their synagogues, ritual baths, and the cemetery ruined and robbed. Thirty families needed to be supported by welfare institutions. The Prienai synagogue was destroyed during World War II.

Purchase a print

Original linocut prints are 8x10 inches, and are available either unmatted or in an 11x14 matte.

I also offer matted 5x7 digital prints. These prints are created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.

For this synagogue I have created an additional digital print, with Hebrew lettering in the background. These prints are also created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.