Trakai Island Castle
特拉凯城堡 · Trakai, Lithuania
A red-brick Gothic castle on an island in Lake Galvė, linked to the shore by a wooden bridge, with lake and castle in the same frame. Inside, the Trakai History Museum tells the story of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Know before you go
- Touching the exhibits
- pushing or stopping and blocking the way on the narrow wooden bridge
- photographing residents without permission
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Vytautas's lake castle
Vytautas completed the main works of the castle begun by his father Kęstutis, and according to the records the treasury was also kept on the island. In 1430 he died in this castle, never having been crowned King of Lithuania.
Source: Wikipedia: Trakai Island Castle; Cultural Heritage Online: Trakai Island Castle
History
The Karaim from Crimea
In 1397 and 1398, after his campaign against the Golden Horde, Vytautas resettled a group of Karaim from Crimea to Trakai. Their traditional pastry, kibinai, has become a local speciality of Trakai.
Source: Wikipedia: Trakai
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The castle stands in the town of Trakai, about 28 km west of Vilnius, on the largest island in Lake Galvė, joined to the shore by a wooden bridge. Its red-brick Gothic walls, towers and ducal palace are mirrored in the lake, a rare island castle for Eastern Europe. The stone castle was begun by Grand Duke Kęstutis of Lithuania in the second half of the 14th century, and his son, Grand Duke Vytautas, completed the main works around 1409; Vytautas died in the castle in 1430. Trakai was a major town of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the castle served both as a military fortress and as a ducal residence. In the mid-17th-century war with Muscovy the town was burned, and the castle gradually fell into ruin. From the 1950s it was rebuilt to its 15th-century appearance, and in 1962 the Trakai History Museum was established in the palace.
Local customs
- Cross the wooden bridge onto the island and walk around the castle walls for photos
- visit the museum to learn about the Grand Duchy's history and see medieval artefacts
- take a boat trip around the island
- try kibinai, the traditional meat pastries of the Karaim.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Touching the exhibits
- pushing or stopping and blocking the way on the narrow wooden bridge
- photographing residents without permission
Locals appreciate DO
- Speak softly in the museum
- cross the narrow wooden bridge in turn
- ask permission before photographing local residents
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Entering the castle interior requires a ticket, with prices as published officially. The lake area is windy, so bring a windproof jacket in spring and autumn
- in summer there are many visitors, so arriving in the morning is best.
- Trains or long-distance buses from Vilnius reach Trakai town in about half an hour
- from there, walk to the lakeside wooden bridge to reach the island. In spring and summer the lake is open and wide, the best time for photography
- in autumn the lakeside woods change colour
- in winter the frozen lake looks striking, but watch out for icy paths, and check official sources for opening hours.
Photos
Photos
Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
Leszek Kozlowski · CC BY 2.0
