The castle sits on a small island in Lake Galvė, which is known for its clear blue water and dozens of tiny islands nearby. Long ago, the Grand Dukes of Lithuania lived here and ruled from these very towers. The lake acted like a natural moat, making the castle very easy to defend.
The building you can see today is mostly the result of careful restoration — people worked hard for many decades to bring the fallen walls and towers back to life. Inside the castle there is a museum where you can see old armour, coins, jewellery, and everyday objects from hundreds of years ago.
Trakai is also home to a community called the Karaites, whose families have lived here for over six hundred years. They brought with them a pastry called kibinai — a small, hand-held pie — which is now famous all over Lithuania. You can buy kibinai in little restaurants right next to the lake.
In summer, kayakers paddle around the islands and swallows swoop over the water. In winter, when the lake freezes solid, locals sometimes cross it on foot or by ice skate. The castle looks magical reflected in the ice.