Senieji Trakai Castle, Archaeological site in Trakai District Municipality, Lithuania
Senieji Trakai Castle is an archaeological site perched on a small hill surrounded by a water-filled trench in Lithuania. The ruins display defensive walls and structural remains that reveal how medieval settlements were built and protected in this region.
Grand Duke Gediminas built the first brick castle at this location and established Trakai as the new capital of Lithuania before 1321. This shift represented a turning point in the region's medieval development.
The castle grounds hold particular importance as the birthplace of Grand Duke Vytautas in 1350, a central figure in Lithuanian medieval history.
The ruins are accessible through established pathways from the main road and sit near a functioning Benedictine monastery. Visit anytime during the year, though pathway conditions may vary with the weather.
Excavations here have uncovered personal items like knives, keys, and crossbow arrow tips that speak to daily medieval life. These discoveries offer a direct look at how ordinary people lived during that time.
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