Trakai Island Castle (Lithuanian: Trakų salos pilis)

Story of Trakai Iland and Historical Gothic Place from Balmoral International Group

BRIEF HISTORY OF 

Trakai Island Castle (Lithuanian: Trakų salos pilis) is an island castle located in Trakai, Lithuania on an island in Lake Galv�-. The castle is sometimes referred to as “Little Marienburg“.

According to the chronicle legend, after a successful hunt, Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas  found a great place near the town of Kernave and decided to erect a castle on it and move the capital here.

There are a number of architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Trakai. The history museum in the castle is the most interesting point to see. Museum was established in 1962. Trakai town itself is quite small. There live about 7 thousand inhabitants and it is situated on the peninsula surrounded by lakes.

It is the only island castle in Eastern Europe. Actually, the whole landscape of Trakai dictates its architecture: many lakes are found in the historical center.

BUILT BY

The historical Gothic Palace was built by Lithuanian dukes in XIV century.

 SERVES AS

Trakai Island was served as the residence, since the city was a capital at the time.

LOCATION

Is located in Island of Trakai, Lithuania, on Galve lake,  28 k from Vilnius direction southwest.

The place is kept as a resort area.

Trakai District is one of the most beautiful and historically interesting regions in Lithuania. Region of Lake Galv�-, and Country of  Lithuania.

CONSTRUCTION TYPE

Gothic and with construction made of Gothic Bricks.

START OF CONSTRUCTION

14th Century

CONDITION

Opened to the public.

 WEATHER

Visitors can get more about country and to relax near the lakes in summer.

FOOD

A lot of cozy restaurants are found in the city, that serve national Tatar dishes, since it is the historical habitat for this ethnic group.

If you are coming to Lithuania, and stay in capital Vilnius or in Kaunas, then, it is out of question you have to take a trip to Trakai. 

In 1337, name of the town is first time recorded in Teutonic Knights chronicles in for the town:

1.      German language name Tracken

2.      Lithuanian -Trakai,

3.      Polish name �" Troki.

NATIONAL PARK

Trakai historical National Park was founded in order to preserve Trakai as a centre of Lithuanian statehood and also its authentic nature. Town is surrounded by 5 lakes. There are many lakes in Trakai district.

On the biggest lake Galve on the island there was built brick and stone castle.

A lot of cozy restaurants are found in the city, that serve national Tatar dishes, since it is the historical habitat for this ethnic group.

If you are coming to Lithuania, and stay in capital Vilnius or in Kaunas, then, it is out of question you have to take a trip to Trakai. 

In 1337, name of the town is first time recorded in Teutonic Knights chronicles in for the town:

1.      German language name Tracken

2.      Lithuanian -Trakai,

3.      Polish name �" Troki.

NATIONAL PARK

Trakai historical National Park was founded in order to preserve Trakai as a centre of Lithuanian statehood and also its authentic nature. Town is surrounded by 5 lakes. There are many lakes in Trakai district.

On the biggest lake Galve on the island there was built brick and stone castle.

Trakai castle is opened for visitors all year round in winter time too. Monday is day off. The lakes are frozen in winter and ice is thick enough to go for fishing or to walk.

Local people believers belong to:

1.      Catholics Church

2.      Russian Orthodox Church.

There is a small community of Karaimai. It is only one hundred of Karaimai ethnic group left in the town from 14thc.

There is a church of Karaimai �" Kenese:

1.      Opened on Saturday for mass.

2.      Keep service in the church on Saturday like Jewish.

3.      Their religion is a branch of Judaism.

4.      But Karaimai don’t use TORA

5.      Pray Old Testament.

6.      Language belongs to Turkic speaking group (very similar to Tartars language)

The town, as well as its surroundings, started developing in the 13th century. Trakai was a capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Grand Duke Gediminas built a wooden castle in Old Trakai, about 5 km from to day Trakai town.

OLD TRAKAI

Trakai castle was inherited by his son the Grand Duke Kestutis. Grand Duke Gediminas finally settled in Vilnius and Vilnius was already in his years of ruling the capital. But Trakai was keeping its significance up to 15th c., even beginning of the 16th c.Grand Duke Kestutis moved town to its‘ current location, built a castle in the strait between lakes on the peninsula. Peninsula Castle remains one can see in the centre of Trakai. Another new castle, known as the Island Castle, was built by son of Kestutis Vytautas the Great. This is an island castle which attracts many visitors. A village grew around the castles. The position of the both castles was good for defence from attacks of the Teutonic Knights. In 14-15c, the town was in the centre of political events: 1.      Grand Duke Jogaila became King of Poland. 2.      He married Polish princess. 3.      It was signed an agreement in Krevo Castle and UNION, first dynastic Union Lithuania and Poland started. 4.      The following later established Common Wealth lasted till the end of the 18thc. 5.      Union was necessary for both countries, Lithuanian Grand Duke and Polish Kingdom. 6.      Two powerful countries united in order to stop Teutonic Order moving to Baltic lands. 7.      Vytautas, son of Kestutis, became the Grand Duke of Lithuania while Jogaila his cousin was King of Poland. 8.      Vytautas also regained his father’s lands, including Trakai. Despite his official capital being Vilnius, Vytautas built and improved Trakai island Castle as the main fortress to defend capital Vilnius from south west direction Crusaders were coming. Though in the country there were already many castles including 8 castles built in stone and brick. Trakai island castle was one of the most important castle. In early 15th century on the eve of Tanenberg battle Vytautas replaced the older, wooden fortress with a stone-built castle. Some design elements were borrowed from the castles of the Teutonic Knights as Vytautas spent some time with the Crusaders during negotiations.Trakai being a political and an administrative centre of the Duchy, sometimes named a de facto capital of Lithuania. Construction of the brick castles was finished and a Catholic church was built. In 1409 �" the town was granted with Magdeburg Rights; it was one of the first towns in Lithuania to get city rights. The village started rapidly developing into a town. In 1569 �" after the Grand Duchy of Lithuania joined the Kingdom of Poland into Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the castles remained a royal property. However, the town’s importance gradually declined, with the nearby Vilnius and the political centre of the Commonwealth in Krakow being far more important. In Polish sources the town name was started to be referred to as Troki. In 1477 �" the castle on the lake was a meeting place of king Casmir IV of Poland with Venetian envoys. After that the castle became sort of a luxurious prison for political prisoners. Sigismund I the Old imprisoned there the members of noblemen’s families. Also Helena, widow of Alexander of Poland was kept there in order to prevent her escape to Muscovy. The castle was refurbished by King Sigismund I of Poland, who set up his summer residence there. However, after his death in 1548 the castle gradually fell into disrepair.Between 1654 and 1667 �" during the wars between Russia and Poland the town was plundered and burnt. In 1655 �" in the effect of the war with Muscovy, both castles were demolished the same as the town. Till our days some old biuldings are preserved in Trakai: 1.      Old post office building 2.      Some wooden houses, many were burnt during fires. 3.      Catholic Vytautas Church 4.      Russian Orthodox Church dates back to 18th c. 1700-1721 �" prosperity finally collapsed. The castle ruins remained a historical landmark. During the Great Northern War Trakai was plundered again, famine and plague swept through the country. In 1795 �" after the Partitions of Commonwealth, the area was annexed by the Russian Empire. After the World War I, the area was captured by. In 1929 �" the Polish authorities made some reconstruction work in Trakai Island Castle. After World War II it was again annexed by the Soviet Union and made part of the Lithuanian SSR in the Soviet Union; subsequently many of the city’s and area’s ethnic Polish inhabitants left for the People’s Republic of Poland. In 1939- The same Noblemen Tyszkiewicz, who moved to Poland in 1939. From the Island castle there is a nice view of ne-classic Palace, which belonged to Tyszkiewicz family. Noblemen Josef Tyszkiewicz bought the park: 1.      Built a palace XIX c. 2.      The park around palace was done by project of the famous French architect and botanic Eduard Andre. In Soviet time it was used for Touristic from all Soviet Union republics. Park was declined and palace was in a poor conditions. Today there is a big restoration works are provided and soon Palace and park surrounded Palace will be finished restored. It will gain its beauty again. In 1961 �" the reconstruction of the upper castle and a high tower construction were complete.   In December 21, 1960 -then the works came to a halt as a result of Nikita Khrushchev’s speech. The Soviet First Secretary declared that reconstruction of the castle would be a sign of glorification of Lithuania’s feudal past. 1970s �" works in the castle were restarted 1990s �" early 1990s works were completed by the Lithuanian authorities.  Still some works are done inside and the castle in the rooms. MUSEUM There is museum, which present Trakai and partly Lithuanian history. TREASURES The Trakai Island Castle was said to house a number of incredible treasures. ARCHITECT Eduard Andre �" famous French architect and botanic. He was well known in making landscape parks in Europe. TAKAI TODAY Today the Palace is a gorgeous place open for tourists. The museum has a wide display of Medieval exhibits. The Trakai Island Castle today is the hub where plenty of concerts, events and festivals are held. In Lithuania, the castle is also considered to be one of the most beautiful historical monuments ever. Attracts many local enthusiasts and from abroad is the the Knight Competition. Many concerts and various events are organized. Undoubtedly, there were many attempts given in order to restore the Trakai Island Castle to its earlier grandeur. Nowadays visitors can enjoy the result of these efforts while visiting the beautiful castle surrounded by waters. Trakai is one of the most beautiful Lithuanian cities that recently became a resort. Its interesting historical heritage,local architecture, entertainments and food will attract everyone. In the lake are many water activities, from: Water cycling Boating Today the Island Castle serves as the main tourist attraction. Festivals and concerts take place in the island castle in summer. 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