Trakai

Tucked between Lake Galvė and a chain of smaller lakes, Trakai is a place whose character is shaped by water and its medieval past. The red-brick Trakai Island Castle occupies an island in Lake Galvė; built for Lithuania’s grand dukes in the 14th and 15th centuries, it now houses the Trakai History Museum. The town was also an important centre for the Karaims, a Turkic-speaking community brought to Lithuania by Grand Duke Vytautas in the late 14th century. Karaim Street retains its distinct wooden houses and a kenesa, while local bakeries serve kibinai, the community’s well-known filled pastries. Lakeside paths and boating add an outdoor rhythm to this compact historic town. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Trakai and the surrounding lake district.

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