Trakai Island Castle — Attraction in Trakai

Trakai Island Castle stands as one of Lithuania’s most iconic landmarks, uniquely set on an island in Lake Galvė, about 30 kilometers from Vilnius. The castle’s picturesque location, surrounded by serene blue waters, makes it appear straight out of a fairy tale, especially when approached via the long wooden bridge that connects it to the mainland.

Its distinctive red-brick Gothic architecture, with conical towers and a fortified keep, is visually striking against the natural backdrop and offers a glimpse into the medieval past of the region.

The castle’s origins date back to the late 14th century, when construction was initiated by Grand Duke Kęstutis and later completed by his son, Vytautas the Great. Initially built as a fortress, Trakai Island Castle played a crucial defensive role for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Over time, as military threats receded, the castle transitioned into a ducal residence and later served as a prison. The interiors were adorned with frescoes and decorative elements, reflecting its changing status from a stronghold to a noble residence.

After suffering devastation and neglect in the centuries that followed, the castle underwent extensive restoration in the mid-20th century. Today, it houses the Trakai History Museum, showcasing archaeological finds, art collections, and artifacts that narrate the rich history of the Lithuanian state and its rulers.

The museum’s exhibitions are thoughtfully curated, and the castle’s austere yet elegant halls allow visitors to immerse themselves in the medieval atmosphere.

Trakai Island Castle is not only a historical monument but also a vibrant cultural venue. Throughout the year, it hosts medieval festivals, concerts, and traditional events that bring the past to life. The castle’s courtyards and halls often echo with music and the bustle of visitors, making it a lively destination for both history enthusiasts and casual tourists.

The surrounding town of Trakai adds to the experience, with its charming streets, lakeside views, and the unique Karaim culture, which can be sampled in local eateries.

Whether visited in summer, when the lake shimmers under the sun, or in winter, when it freezes into a natural skating rink, Trakai Island Castle offers a memorable journey into Lithuania’s medieval heritage, blending natural beauty with architectural grandeur and...

Spread along a 2km-long peninsula only half an hour from Vilnius, the provincial town of Trakai is surrounded by lakes, including Lake Luka, Lake Galvė and Lake Akmena. Trakai Island Castle sits on one of 22 islands in Lake Galvė.

Trakai Island Castle was built in different stages. Construction of the castle is thought to have begun in the mid-14th century, commissioned by Kęstutis, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1297-1382) and around 1409 major works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great, who died in this castle in 1430. The building of the island castle was related to strengthening the position of the Trakai Peninsula Castle, built between 1350-1377. (the peninsula castle lies in ruins but parts of it can still be seen today). The castle was rebuilt in the 1950s–1960s by Lithuanian initiative, although it had received resistance from Soviet authorities.

Accessible via a pedestrian bridge from the mainland, as well as by boat, Trakai Island Castle is like something from a fairy tale - there is nothing quite like admiring the view of the coral-coloured brick towers surrounded by moss-green trees as you cross the wooden bridge, with the castle's reflection glimmering in the surrounding waters of Lake Galve. The Gothic style castle is more than 600 years old and houses the impressive Trakai History Museum, which showcases a range of interesting exhibits including medieval weapons, chainmail, 19th-century embroidery and glassware and religious art. Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the castle held great strategic importance.

As well as visiting the castle, there are plenty of water activities to enjoy on the lake and it is popular to rent a boat or yacht for a day on the water. There are also plenty of restaurants along the waterfront. In winter, the lake often freezes over and can be popular for ice skating...

Some photos courtesy of...

What can i say my friends... I was there when it was cold, oh so cold. The lake was half frozen. On our way to the castle, we saw a lot of interesting sightings. We began our journey at the Trakai stotis. We stopped by the (half) frozen lake. I wanted to stand on it but i didn't take the risk. Then we began our actual journey to the castle. We passed by a Georgian restaurant, it was nice to see diversity in town. We had a small stop, as suggested by my BCKF, by the (half frozen) lake. There was an interesting abandoned boat. There was also a Filipino restaurant and abracadabra song was playing (not Lady Gaga)! So diverse!!! We then proceeded to go through what seemed to be a park. There was a sign pointing to the "cognitive trail", i have to admit, we were very tempted to pursue ot but we chose to continue to our goal destination - the Trakai Island Castle. As we approached the castle, we stopped at a bridge and saw something very interesting. It was an unknown (and very intriguing) swimming poultry (looked like an emo duck), it was black and white. I found out it was an Eurasian coot. The coot is a species in its own right, they are dociable birds but the one we saw was a lone wolf. Fascinating!!! When we got there I was amazed! I can tell you for sure that I really enjoyed the castle, we threw small stones into the (half frozen) Trakai lake. It was an adventure of a lifetime!!! We did not enter the castle though, it was under renovation. When it was (sadly) time to go back, we were about to cross the bridge and a car drove on it. It was insane. I almost fell into the (half frozen) lake because i wanted to see if I can stand. Aciu labai...