Trakai Island Castle History

Trakai Island Castle is one of the must-visit places in Lithuania. The only Eastern European castle that has been built on an island it is located in Trakai, on the shores of Lake Galve.

It was one of the main centers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the castle held great strategic importance. Island Castle together with Peninsula Castle are the most famous works of defensive architecture in Lithuania.

An interesting fact about the Trakai island castle is that the town was built and preserved by people of different nationalities. Communities of Karaites, Tartars, Lithuanians, Russians, and Polish lived here. Both Christian and Karaites communities were granted separate self-government – Magdeburg – rights.

During summer, Trakai Island Castle becomes a center of numerous music and cultural performances. In Trakai, tourists are enjoying resting by the waterside, a yacht or motorbike ride, swimming, fishing, camping, or simply a quiet time in a cafe on the bank of Lake Galve. In June, Lake Galve holds International Rowing Regatta “Amber Oars”.

Visit Trakai Island Castle & History Museum

Opening times

May to September: Monday – Sunday 10,00 – 19,00
March to April and October: Tuesday – Sunday 10,00 – 18,00
November to February: Tuesday – Sunday 10,00 – 17,00

Ticket Info:

An adult ticket will cost you 14 lt (approx. 4€) and less than 2 € for students (6 lt) and for seniors about 2,5 € (8 lt).

An Englsuh Guided Tour will cost 14,5 € (50 lt). Taking photos inside the castle and the museum will cost 4 lt (1,6 €)

Contact Info:

Phones:
Museum administration: +370 528 55297
secretary: +370 528 53945
Castle ticket office: +370 528 53946
fax: +370 5 285 5288
e-mail: info@trakaimuziejus.lt
Official website: trakaimuziejus.lt

Trakai Island Castle Location

Address: Trakų Salos Pilis, Kęstučio gatvė 4, Trakai 21104, Lithuania. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Trakai Island Castle Map

The post Trakai Island Castle appeared first on Every Castle.

Raudone Castle is located in Raudone, Lithuania.

Raudone Castle’s construction started in the late 16th century. In the 16th century, the castle belonged to King Sigismund II Augustus of Poland. A new castle was built on the ruins of the old one by a German knight, Krispin Kirschenstein.

The castle has since been renovated a couple of times (in the 18th century by the Olendzki family), and today is an example of 19th-century neo-Gothic architecture.

The Raudone Castle is now turned into a secondary school. Although that, during the tourist season, visitors are allowed to enter the 35 m castle tower, which extends a beautiful view of the castle’s surroundings. The longest river in Lithuania, Nemunas flows past the castle.

Raudonės Castle Visitor Info

Currently, the Raudonės Castle hosts the Primary School of Raudonės.

The Castle is open from the 15th of April to the 15th of November, daily between 10,00 and 16,00

There are also Exhibitions organized at the Castle during the summertime (May to September)

Raudonės Castle Location

Address: Raudones Malunas, Raudonė, LT-74452, Lithuania

Raudonės Castle Map

The post Raudone Castle appeared first on Every Castle.

The Norviliškės Castle was first mentioned in 1586. It is a rare example of such a Renaissance complex in Lithuania. Once, the castle, gate tower, and defensive tower formed a typical defensive system with a compact yard in the center.

Now the Norviliskes castle is rebuilt using authentic technologies and it has modern facilities. The complex currently offers hosting for business conferences or weddings, hunting, shooting practices, and other activities.

Norviliskes Castle is located 87 km from Vilnius and 185 km from Kaunas.

Norviliškės Castle Map

The post Norviliškės Castle appeared first on Every Castle.

Kaunas Castle (Kauno Pilyje) is the oldest castle in Lithuania.

Archaeological evidence suggests that it was originally built during the 14th century, in the Gothic style. At the beginning of the 21st century, about one-third of the building is still standing.

Its site is strategic – a rise on the banks of the Nemunas River near its meeting point with the Neris River. It was one of the most important defenses during the fights against the Crusaders. Originally, it had four towers, but over the centuries river Neris has washed them away. It is remarkable that Kaunas castle was the only one in Lithuania with a double-walled defense fortification.

Today the round tower houses an art gallery. The site is open to tourism and hosts occasional festivals. Kaunas tourism information center is located in Kaunas Castle and operates daily.

Kaunas Castle Location

Address: Kauno Pilyje (Kaunas Castle) Pilies gatvė 17, Kaunas 44279, Lithuania. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Kaunas Castle Map

The post Kaunas Castle appeared first on Every Castle.

Vilnius Complex History

The Vilnius Castle Complex is a group of defensive, cultural, and religious buildings on the left bank of the Neris River, near its meeting point with the Vilnia River, in Vilnius.

The complex evolved between the 10th and 18th centuries and was one of the significant defensive structures.

Gediminas Tower
Today, the remaining Gediminas tower symbolizes the city of Vilnius.

Annually, on the 1st of January, the Lithuanian Flag is hosted on Gediminas Tower to commemorate Flag Day. The complex is a part of the National Museum of Lithuania, one of the largest museums in the country. At the top of the tower is a good observation point, from where the panorama of Vilnius Old Town can be admired.

Gediminas Castle Location

Gediminas’ Tower Address: Arsenalo gatvė 5, Vilnius, Lithuania. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Gediminas Castle Map

The post Gediminas Castle appeared first on Every Castle.