Medininkai Castle

Medininkai Castle is a brick fortress in Lithuania with a rectangular inner yard surrounded by thick defensive walls and protective ditches. The complex contains the remains of multiple structures and open spaces within its enclosure, creating layers of defense that once protected the garrison and inhabitants.

The fortress arose in the early 14th century under Grand Duke Gediminas as part of expanding regional defenses. It gained its first written record as a military installation in the early 15th century and served defensive purposes for generations.

The castle takes its name from the nearby settlement and reflects its former role as a regional stronghold where military and civilian life intersected. Visitors can see weapons, pottery, and crafted objects that reveal how people lived within these walls across different eras.

A raised platform in the main tower offers views across the surrounding landscape and nearby region. Wear sturdy shoes since the grounds are uneven and climbing the interior stairs is steep in places.

This fortress belongs to a network of castles built under Gediminas, yet few have preserved their physical structure as clearly as this one. The scale and layout reveal how medieval builders created powerful defenses within practical constraints using locally made brick rather than stone.