Trakai Island Castle, Medieval castle on an island in Lake Galve, Lithuania
The red brick fortress features multiple defensive towers, a six-story keep, and walls that rise directly from the waters of Lake Galve.
Grand Duke Kęstutis initiated construction in the 14th century, while his son Vytautas completed the major fortification works around 1409.
The Trakai History Museum, established within the castle walls in 1962, displays collections of medieval artifacts, weapons, and documents from Lithuanian history.
Visitors reach the castle through a wooden bridge from the mainland, with regular buses and trains connecting the site to Vilnius throughout the day.
This structure remains the only surviving water castle in Eastern Europe, built entirely on an island following Gothic construction principles.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
