Trakai Castle

Trakai Castle is an ancient Gothic fortress located in Lithuania, in the city of Trakai. It is the largest surviving medieval castle in the whole country. The castle is built on an island in the middle of Lake Trok, with the coast connected by a bridge.

At the time of its construction in 1409, Trakai Island Castle was the most powerful and impregnable fortress of the Principality of Lithuania and all of Eastern Europe. Throughout its history, the castle was never taken by storm. Nevertheless, after the defeat of the Teutonic Order, the fortress in Trakai lost its military importance and turned into an ordinary princely palace, where feasts were held and honored high guests. However, the remoteness of Thracay from the trade routes eventually led to economic decline, and the castle fell into disrepair. For some time the fortress was still used as a prison for undesirable nobility, but soon it was finally abandoned.

Large-scale restoration of the castle began only in the second half of the twentieth century. Now the fortress looks as it looked at the time of its construction.

Trakai Castle is a real battle fortress, the largest in Lithuania. The unusual island location and expressive architecture turn the castle into a very picturesque place, which invariably attracts many tourists.