Postcard Greetings From Trakai

From Vilnius, we traveled by car to Trakai, where we had the opportunity to kayak on the lake and see the famous castle from the outside. The lake is situated in the town of Trakai, about 28 kilometers west of Vilnius. Known as Lake Galvė, it is one of the largest and most picturesque lakes in Lithuania, encompassing several small islands. Trakai Island Castle is a medieval fortress located on an island in Lake Galvė. It was originally built in the 14th century by Grand Duke Kęstutis and completed in the early 15th century by his son, Grand Duke Vytautas. The castle is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, featuring red brick walls, turrets, and a central keep. It was designed to serve as both a defensive structure and a residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Over the centuries, the castle fell into disrepair but underwent extensive restoration in the 20th century. However, the restoration seems never-ending, as half of the castle was still surrounded by scaffolding, and inside it was only partially ready to be called a museum by our standards. Trakai is also known for its Karaim community, a Turkic-speaking minority brought to the area from Crimea in the 14th century by Grand Duke Vytautas. The Karaims practice Karaite Judaism, which is distinct from Rabbinic Judaism, and have preserved their unique culture, language, and traditions, adding to the town's rich multicultural heritage. During our kayaking tour, we picnicked in the surrounding forest and had Kibinai, traditional Karaim pastries filled with minced meat and vegetables, which were delicious. However, the castle, despite being one of the most visited tourist attractions in Lithuania, fell short according to our standards. Nevertheless, it was a fun day, and the kayaking and picnic largely compensated for the less attractive castle - Trakai, Lithuania