Wayfaring Travel Guide. Interesting vacation places, spa and resorts » Lithuania

Trakai Castle

Asya — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:15:28 +0000

Today this beautiful castle is one of the most popular historical architectural destinations in Lithuania. Located in Trakai History Complex, about 30 km from Vilnius, is dotted with 33 lakes that it makes for an excellent day trip. Trakai was a medieval capital of Lithuania, and it still retains its historic charm. The complex consists of two castles – one on an island in the middle of a lake and one on the shore.

It’s the ancient capital in the country, and has a bloody history. The construction of the castle began in the 14th century. The red-brick Trakai Castle was built as a fortress. After the Battle of Grunenwald in 1410 it became the residence of the Grand Duke. Later it was used as a prison, and now it’s a loved tourist attraction.

Trakai Castle is located on an island on the shores of Lake Galve. It is completely surrounded by the water of five lakes in this national park. It’s the only castle surrounded by water in all of Eastern Europe. During winter the entire lake is frozen and you can walk right to and around the castle. Visitors to Trakai may enjoy one of the town’s festivals, which include recognition of its history. Because its position – in the mid of three lakes, waterside walks and picnics can be enjoyed.

The European capital of culture

Asya — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:40:47 +0000

The largest of the Baltic Country – Lithuania, is one of Eastern Europe’s gems. The oldest part of the Lithuanian capital is charming mix of Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and post-modern buildings. Vilnius Old Town is the unique creation of splendid views and various cultures and traditions. It offers a huge range of hotels, excellent restaurants and entertainment to choose from. There are over 900 culture’s events for 2009. If it is nightlife you are after, there are plenty of trendy clubs where you can party till dawn. You can be assured that there is something for everyone.

The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the biggest in Middle Europe. It encompasses 74 quarters with 70 streets and lanes numbering over 1200 buildings. In 1994 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as historic center which means – the Old Town, formerly encircled with defensive walls.

Cathedral Square is the heart of the city. Blend of domes, towers, antique shops and cosy cafes set amongst the winding streets are only a part of the beautiful atmosphere which you find in Vilnius’s Old Town. There you will find amazing hidden courtyards and plentiful pubs where you can rest your feet. Also there are a lot of street-stalls with amber jewellery, woodcarvings, hand-painted ceramics, pottery and etc.

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Hill of Crosses

vanhal — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:28:49 +0000

The tradition of placing crucifixes on a hill at the Lithuanian border was founded as early as the 14th century to defy foreign insurgents, and continues today as a statement of cultural identity.
Although itâ€™s a very old tradition, very few of the existing crosses date from earlier than 1985. The Hill of Crosses has a long history of being levelled by oppressors (including three times during the Soviet era when the crosses were burned and reduced to scrap and the land covered in sewage). The way the population of Lithuania continue to return and replaces the crosses on the hill is part of what makes this a sacred site for Catholics all over the world. Today the hill holds about 400 large crosses surrounded by thousands of smaller ones and itâ€™s added to by the many pilgrims that visit the site each year.