Step into the misty heart of Lithuania as we journey to Trakai Island Castle—a fortress rising from the waters of Lake Galvė, where history, legend, and haunting mystery collide. In this episode, we unravel centuries of drama: from ancient pagan rituals and the love story of Kęstutis and Birutė, to the castle’s golden age as a royal residence, its dark days as a prison, and the chilling legends of ghostly boatmen, cursed stones, and the Lady of the Lake. We’ll explore the castle’s enchanting atmosphere and the enduring sense that Trakai’s stones remember every secret. Whether you’re here for the history, the hauntings, or just a taste of kibinai, this is one story where the past is always present—and you never know who (or what) might be listening.

Sources:

Trakai Island Castle - Lietuvos dvarai

Trakai Island Castle | The Definitive Guide for seniors - Odyssey Traveller

Birutė – Baltic Pagan Blog

Kęstutis and Birutė - Orbis Lituaniae

Trakai Island Castle - Wikipedia

Beauty and the Ghost at Lithuania's Trakai Castle - 3 Seas Europe

Trakai Island Castle: The Haunted Fortress That Will Chill You to the Bone – Fright Map

Island Castle of Trakai - War History

Trakai Island Castle | Trakų ir Vilniaus rajonai. Atrask. Pažink. Isaugok

Trakai - Somewhere Between History & Fantasy — Tuljak! Travel Blog