# Senieji Trakai Castle

- **Country:** Lithuania
- **Coordinates:** 54.605000, 24.984167
- **Location Text:** Senieji Trakai

Senieji Trakai Castle, located in the village of Senieji Trakai in Lithuania, stands as a historically significant site that once served as the capital of the Grand Duchy. Originally constructed before 1321 by Grand Duke Gediminas, it was the first enclosure-type brick castle in the region. The fortress holds immense historical importance as the setting for the wedding of Grand Duke Kęstutis and Birutė, and notably as the birthplace of the renowned Grand Duke Vytautas in 1350. Its architectural style reflected early brick masonry techniques typical of the period, featuring rectangular walls that surrounded a hillfort mound.

The castle met a destructive end in 1391 when it was razed by the Teutonic Order. Following this devastation, the site was abandoned as a military stronghold because a new castle had already been erected in nearby Trakai by Kęstutis. In 1405, Grand Duke Vytautas granted the ruins to Benedictine monks, leading to the construction of a monastery and church on the grounds during the 15th century. Today, the original castle no longer exists as a standalone structure; instead, its remains are believed to be integrated within the current monastery complex.

Modern archaeological research conducted between 1996 and 1997 confirmed the existence of the former rectangular masonry walls and suggested that residential buildings once occupied the area near the present church and churchyard. While the site is categorized under Gothic architecture and former castles, it now functions primarily as a religious landmark and tourist attraction within Vilnius County. The location offers visitors a glimpse into the medieval origins of the Lithuanian state, preserving the legacy of its grand dukes amidst the later monastic additions.

![Photo of Senieji Trakai Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Old_Trakai.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senieji_Trakai_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)