Trakai castle

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Improve this combo: a scenic red Gothic castle occupying one island in a series of lakes of crystal-clear waters, part of a national park of postcard-like landscapes, rounded off by a historical town of cute wooden houses inhabited by an exotic ethnic minority that seems out of place in these latitudes.

In addition, if you come to Trakai, probably first you have been visiting Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania , only a few miles away. Vilnius is a non-expensive city which has a preserved Baroque and Neoclassical centre, parks that make you feel like you are in the countryside, welcoming people, a great nightlife, nice food, excellent beer and even a curious bohemian district called Užupis.

Trakai
It may reminds you the cover of the 5th Edition of Lonely Planet guide of the Baltic states, but they haven't got this lovely old lady bailing out water from the boats in it.


Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Do you know that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest country in Europe in 14th century? And Trakai was its capital for some time. Image by Jo.sau


Traku salos pilis
Most of the buildings of the castle are quite new, but still pretty.
Image by David Smith


Ducal Palace
The Ducal Palace. Trakai was restored and reconstructed by Lithuanians, Poles, Russians and Germans in the last century, the same nations that have been contesting this land during its long history. Image by Carlisle617


Hot air balloon Lithuania
Flying high. A very popular activity in Lithuania is to get on a hot air balloon.
Image by Paulius


Trakai Historical National Park
I wonder what they would do to stop the Teutonic knights, raiders and other threats when the lake froze.
Image by Vygis22


Trakai island castle
If you are lucky enough to come in a sunny day and you like playing with a camera, fun is guaranteed.


Castle Lithuania
There is a fine exhibition of old artifacts telling the history of the country in the rooms of the fortress.


Coat of arms of Lithuania
The charging knight, coat of arms of Lithuania, here depicted in a pioneer picassian style.


Lake at sunset
The lake at sunset made me say wow!



Autumn clouds
If you catch the right light and some autumn clouds, the landscape glows dramatically.


Paddle boat
As it should be, the castle, the lakes and the 21 islands that includes this national park, are haunted by tragic stories of love, according to the myths and legends of the place.


Abandoned boat


Dievdirbys
These magnificent totems are based on a long tradition of woodcarving in the Lithuanian folk art.


Tourism Lithuania
To reach the castle you have to cross the town, that stretches about two kilometers along a peninsula surrounded by picturesque lake views in all directions. Image by Sfu.marcin


Karaim
Trakai is home of a very singular community, the Karaims: they speak Turkish but their religion is a form of Judaism. They moved here, coming from Crimea (Ukraine) at the end of the 14th century.


Crimean Karaites
Today Karaim community is very small, even though they survived the Holocaust during the Nazi occupation thanks to they were not considered Jews.


Trakai town
Although Trakai is called to be the main attraction of the country, yet is far from being a tourist trap. Visit it before it changes!


Karaites
Meet the Karaims. Cheeeese!




2 comments
  1. Wow! That's a perspective I didn't fully appreciate in Trakai. Partly cuz it rained but mostly as I don't have your eye. Well done.

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