HEROES semi-annual meeting
19-20 May 2026
A half-day trip to TRAKAI – Old Lithuanian Capital with VIKO colleagues and students
Date and time: 18 May 2026, afternoon (time – tbc)
Duration: ~4-5 hours
Meeting Point: Vilnius Railway Station
Pre-meeting day expenses (train, museum(s) tickets, snacks, etc.): paid by participants
Dress code: comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for longer walks.
Preliminary programme:
Train travel (~30 min)
Walk from train station to the Trakai Island Castle (~40 min)
Visit Trakai Island Castle (~ 1 h)
Other places to visit, lunch, possibility to take a boat trip on Galve lake (1-2 h)
Walk back to the train station, return trip to Vilnius (~30 min)
We invite you to discover the beautiful region outside Vilnius, spending time together with VIKO colleagues and students.
Trakai is a historical city and lake resort in Lithuania. It is located 28 km west of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Due to its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination.
The area of the city is 11.52 km2, and it is home to about 5,000 people. A special feature of Trakai is that the city was created and preserved by people of various nationalities. Historically, Karaites, Tatars, Lithuanians, Jews and Poles lived here.
Trakai Island Castle is located on an island in Trakai, Lithuania. The castle is sometimes called „Little Marienburg”. The construction of the brick castle was started by Kęstutis in the 14th century, and later the main works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great. Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the castle had great strategic importance.
In addition to the Island Castle, there are many other places to visit in Trakai.
More information: https://www.trakai-visit.lt/en/