Šnipiškės (also known as New City Centre) is a neighborhood in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Located on the north bank of the river Neris, it is the site of Vilnius' new business district and historical wooden architecture. Several skyscrapers and the Europa Tower business center have been erected since the turn of the millennium. Although until recently the area was just a small historical suburban village north of Vilnius proper part of which is now under cultural protection and preservation, it continues to be expanded with plans for modern commercial and apartment complexes. Šnipiškės is also home to the Kalvarijos Market.
Šnipiškės Synagogue or Piramontas Synagogue is a historical Jewish synagogue. The synagogue stood near the river bank, between the current Vilnius Central Department Store and the Radisson Blu Hotel. There was also a Jewish cemetery near the synagogue.
The oldest and the largest Jewish cemetery was established in the 15th century in Šnipiškės suburb, now in Žirmūnai elderate, across the Neris River from the Gediminas Tower.In Vilna Jewish culture, the cemetery was known as Piramont. It was closed by the Tsarist authorities in 1831.
It was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1949–50 during the construction of Žalgiris Stadium. The Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports (Lithuanian: Koncertų ir sporto rūmai) was built in 1971 right in the middle of the former cemetery.
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