Trakai
Trakai (Polish Troki) - a town and lake resort in Lithuania, a part of Trakai national park territory and an administrative centre of the region.
A view of Trakai castle from the bridge over the lake
Town facts:
- Territory: 11,520 m²
- Inhabitants: 6.142 people
- Territory: 12,027.4 m²
- Inhabitants: 38.200 people
Trakai Historical National Park was founded in April 23, 1991 to preserve Trakai as a centre of Lithuanian statehood as well as its authentic nature. It is the only historical national park not only in Lithuania but also throughout Europe. The territory of the park covers 82 km², 34 km² of which are covered by forests, and 130 km² are covered by lakes.
Traditional architecture of Trakai
AukÃÂtadvaris Regional Park was founded in 1992 to preserve the valuable landscapes of Verknė and Strėva upper reaches. The area of the park is 153.50 km², most of which is covered by forests. There are 72 lakes here, the biggest of which is VilkokÃÂnis.
The first settlements in this area appeared at least in 1 millennium A.D. The town as well as its surroundings started developing in the 13th century as a The Grand Duchy of Lithuania centre. According to cronicles, Grand Duke Gediminas after a successful hunt found a beautiful place not far from the then capital Kernave and decided to build a castle here. That is how a new castle was built in Senieji Trakai which at that time was called Trakai. The town of Trakai was first mentioned in German chronicles in 1337, which is regarded to be the official date of its foundation. When Grand Duke Gediminas finally settled in Vilnius, Senieji Trakai was inherited by his son the Duke Kestutis. This is the birthplace of the most famous ruler of Lithuania - Vytautas the Great.
During the reign of Kestutis Naujieji Trakai was a place of intensive construction: one castle was built in the strait between lakes Galvė and Lukos, another one - on an island in lake Galve. A village grew around the castle. The approaches of Trakai were protected by Senieji Trakai, Strėva, BraÃÂuolė, DaniliÃÂkės and other mounds. When Vytautas became the vassal ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Trakai became a political and an administrative centre. Construction of the castles was finished and a catholic church was built. The distinctive feature of Trakai is that the town was built and preserved by people of different nationalities. Here lived communities of Karaites (small group of Jews resettled there by Grand Duke Vytautas in 14th century from Crimea) - including the famous Karaite Isaac Troki, Tatars, Lithuanians, Russians, Jews and Poles. Both Christian and Karaites communities were granted separate self-government - Magdeburg Rights.
Trakai lost its political significance in the 16th century. It also declined economically. During the war with Russia in the 17th century the town was plundered and burnt, the castles were destroyed.
The island castle was rebuilt in the second half of the 20th century. There has been a history museum in the castle since 1962. In summer different festivals and concerts take place in the island castle. The town of Trakai is widely reflected in post stamps.
Trakai is a town built on water. The town is surrounded by the lakes of Lukos (Bernardinų), TotoriÃÂkių, Galvės, Akmenos, GiluÃÂio. There are a number of architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Trakai.
The town of Trakai signed a partnership agreement with the city of Rheine in Germany in 1996. In 1997 a partnership agreement was signed with Malbork city in Poland.
The town of Trakai
Stella built to the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas
Rebuilt Trakai Castle