Trakai is a historic town at the heart of the wooded lake district of Eastern Dzūkija. Castle complexes and collections, sacred art, Karaim culture and activities on the lakes offer different focuses for your trip.
Island Castle and Peninsula Castle: Two Cultural Highlights
Trakai Island Castle stands on Pilies Island in Lake Galvė, at 43C Karaimų Street. It is described as the only water castle in Eastern Europe and serves as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, festivals and celebrations. The Trakai History Museum has a permanent exhibition in the castle’s 16 halls. Its collections include furniture, pipes, stamps, clocks, porcelain, glass and hunting trophies. The exhibition brings together very different collection areas, from everyday items to distinctive objects.
The Peninsula Castle offers a different perspective: it is one of Lithuania’s largest fortified castles, covers four hectares and has eleven defensive towers of varying sizes. Its exhibition of sacred or liturgical art includes more than 200 liturgical works, valuable visual art and various sacred objects. If you are interested in the castles, you can explore two different perspectives here: collections at the Island Castle, and defensive architecture and sacred art at the Peninsula Castle.
Sacred Art and Karaim Traditions
The Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands on the Trakai peninsula, surrounded by lakes. Among other things, it preserves panel paintings, memorial monuments, relics and 18th-century candlesticks, as well as other sacred artworks. Throughout history, the Karaims of Trakai have preserved their religious beliefs, customs, traditions and, in particular, their language. This cultural heritage is also reflected in the annual celebrations of Žolinės, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, and Trakinės, the celebration of the crowning of the image of Our Lady of Trakai. Both attract pilgrims from neighbouring countries and other regions. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the celebrations, check the current dates.
Another annual event is the international Karaim language camp, which attracts Karaims and their descendants from around the world. Use the latest event dates when planning. Kybyn are a culinary expression of Karaim culture: traditional Karaim restaurants in Trakai serve this speciality. As individual restaurants’ offerings may change, check in advance where Kybyn will be available during your travel dates.
Peninsulas, Viewpoints and Lakes
The landscape offers a range of highlights, too. UĹľutrakis Manor Park is in the town of Trakai, on a peninsula between Lake GalvÄ— and Lake Skaistis. The terrace of UĹľutrakis Manor House offers panoramic views of Lake GalvÄ— and Trakai Island Castle. On the peninsula, the Sacrificial Hill is a 17-metre-high castle mound; from there, views extend across Lake Trakai, which surrounds the peninsula, to the red Gothic Island Castle.
Lake GalvÄ— is used by water tourists and divers; rowers and sailing teams also train there and compete. SlÄ—nis Recreation Park beach is on the northern shore and offers boat and pedal boat rentals. Availability may vary by season, so check in advance whether the services will be available during your travel dates. Swimming is recommended as a leisure activity at Lake Akmena. If you plan to swim, check the current conditions beforehand.
More to Discover in Trakai
The AJ Chocolate Sculpture Museum in Trakai offers a different kind of exhibition: it displays chocolate exhibits in four rooms, and most of the sculptures are life-size. Trakai’s attractions therefore range from historical collections and sacred art to an exhibition made from a material all its own. You can choose which themes to combine according to your interests and travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Liucionys, Aukštadvaris, Žydkaimis, Kiemeliai, Strėva, Avižieniai, Antatilčiai, Švenčionys
For the broader travel overview: Vilnius County.
