There is a historical guess, that in 1573 the first synagogue built in the place of Great Vilna Synagogue was a wooden building. This building had been demolished for a few times and it was built as a mural synagogue at last in 1633 when the Vilna Jewish community received such a privilege from the king Vladislav Vaza. The original mural synagogue in Renaissance style was rebuilt for several times – lastly, after the great fire of 18th century, the synagogue has been reconstructed in late Baroque style by J. K. Glaubitz. As such Baroque style synagogue, this building is remembered from its flourishing days at the beginning of the 20th century. During the years of the Second World War, the synagogue has been ravaged and during the later Soviet occupation, it has been demolished in 1953.

The Great synagogue mostly amazed by its size those visitors who would come inside the synagogue.  The height of the synagogue from the outside was restricted by medieval European Christian prohibition to built synagogues higher and more splendid than Catholic churches in the city. These restrictions are also mentioned in the king`s privilege, which allowed the building of a synagogue in Vilnius. Local Jews aimed to respect this prohibition, but they also wanted to create an extraordinary prayer house for the community. So they found a clever way – the floors of this (and other) synagogue were recessed, thus creating a sense of space and majesty inside the building. The Synagogue has been adored for its exclusive interior as well.

The Great Synagogue became a significant place for Vilna Jewish community, and gradually shulhoyf – a yard next to synagogue – has formed. It meant more than religious buildings – it was a place of gathering for all community members. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 12 prayer houses next to the to Great synagogue, communal bathhouses and mikveh, public toilets (the first ones in Vilnius!), water well, butcher houses with kosher meat, places for gatherings of Talmudic scholars and famous Judaica library of Matihaju Strašūnas. The whole life of Vilna Jews revolved around this shulhoyf for a long time, and it was the busiest and noisiest place in Vilnius city. Personal and social matters were resolved in this yard, and the news (or rumors) spread hear faster than anywhere else. This place had a special aura, which gathered religious and secular scholars, poets and painters, philosophers and chimney-sweepers.