Trakai District (120 274 ha area, 38.2 thousand inhabitants) is one of the most beautiful and historically interesting regions in Lithuania. Trakai land is famous not only for its picturesque environs abounding in lakes (200 lakes, biggest of which are Galvė, Vilkokšnis, Skaistis), but it also boasts a big number of unique historical and cultural valuables. In order to preserve them, Trakai Historical National (1991) and Aukštadvaris Regional (1992) Parks were established.
Administrative Centre of the District is Trakai town (about 6 thousand inhabitants) situated on the peninsula surrounded by lakes. The town is a famous Lithuanian tourism and recreation centre, while the well-known Island castle represents Lithuania for 500 years by now: in the past, it was visited by European sovereigns and their messengers; honourable visitors of Lithuanian state still pay visits to the castle.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Trakai Historical National Park
• Church of Holy Maid Mary’s Visit. 
(15th century), Sodų g. 8, Trakai. In 1409, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas funded Trakai parish church. The church is famous for the painting of Trakai God’s Mother. According to the popular legend, the painting was painted in 1123 in Constantinople, and in 1390 Emperor Emanuel II Paleolog gave it as a present to Vytautas.

• St John Nepomuk Roadside Pole (17th century), Trakai.
It is assumed, that the roadside pole was built in the 17th century as a pole for posters. Later on it was named after St John Nepomuk, guardian of fishing villages surrounded by waters. A statue of the saint was mounted on the pole.

• Dominican Monastery (18th century), Kęstučio g. 4, Trakai
In the end of 18th century, Dominicans started building a big church in the territory of the peninsular castle. In 1822-1823, the monks erected a chapel in one nave, and monastery in the other nave of the church still under construction. 

• Peninsular castle (14th century), Kęstučio g., Trakai
The castle was built by Duke Kęstutis by 1377. The construction of the castle was completed under the rule Vytautas the Great, in 1414-1430. The castle was protected by 11 defensive towers. After 1430, the peninsular castle served as a residence of Grand Dukes of Lithuania Švitrigaila and Žygimantas Kęstutaitis.

• Karaimų street. Small town. Trakai
This part of the town is resided by Karaites since the days of Vytautas the Great (14th century). Vytautas the Great brought Karaites to Trakai after his marches to the Crimea. Karaite warriors guarded the castles, were Vytautas’ bodyguards. Civil Karaites were engaged in agriculture, trade, crafts.

• Kenesa, Karaimų g. 30, Trakai. House of worship of Karaites (house of worship in Karaite language). 

• Island Castle (14th –15th centuries), Trakai
It is the only castle in Eastern Europe that is built in an island. Construction of the Island castle was initiated by Grand Duke Kęstutis in the end of the 14th century, and was completed in early 15th century by his son – Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas. In early 16th century, the importance of the Island castle diminished. In summer 1655, Island castle was damaged. From 1963 the Trakai Museum exposition is open in the renovated castle, where various cultural events take place.

• Užutrakis Manor Estate, Trakai 
Užutrakis Manor Estate dating mid-16th – early 20th stands on the shore of Lake Galvė. Its last owner was Count Joseph Tyszkiewicz. The chambers in the neo-renaissance style were designed by a Polish architect J. Husa; the park was designed by a French landscape architect and botanist E. F. André. The chambers are open for public visits, various exhibitions and conferences take place there, and in the summer the music festival “Užutrakio vakarai” (Evenings of Užutrakis) is organised.

• Educative path of Varnikai botanical-zoological preserve, Varnikai village. Educative 3.45 km long path leads through the most beautiful and hardly accessible places of the preserve, provide the visitors with knowledge about nature, peculiarities of local landscape. Information stands, bowers, car parking lot are installed here. 

• Old Trakai (3 km from Trakai). This settlement was the capital of Lithuania for about 7 years. Benedictines’ Monastery (15th–19th centuries) is preserved at the ancient settlement and it is being renovated. There is Neo-Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (19th century).

MUSEUMS

TRADITIONAL EVENTS
It is possible to find more detailed information about traditional events in Trakai at the website: www.trakai.lt 

Trakai Tourism Information Centre
Open hours: September - April: Mon.-Thu.: 8:00–17:00, 
Fri.: 8:00–15:45. May - September: Mon.: 9:00–17:00,
Tue.–Fri.: 9:00–18:00, Sat., Sun. and holidays: 9:00–15:00
Vytauto g. 69, LT-21001 Trakai 
Tel./fax +370 528 51 934, mob. +370 672 09 476
E-mail trakaiTIC@is.lt , www.trakai.lt