In short

In the restored Medininkai Castle, visitors can explore the permanent exhibition displayed in the main tower and take a look around the Medininkai neighbourhood from the observation deck. Curious people are invited to various events, like the annual Medininkai Castle Games, musical performances and the ceremonial day. Conferences, fine art exhibitions – photography, graphics, and painting – are also organised there. Educational activities for children and adults are organised in the conference hall and in the castle yard.

Medininkai formed next to one of the oldest and largest trade routes in Lithuania. Along the way there are many mounds and traces of old settlements, which suggest that the road dates back to the first millennium. This road was also used to travel between Lithuania and Russia.

The settlement and castle are thought to have originated in the first half of the 14^th century during the reign of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas. Medininkai Castle was first mentioned in written sources at the end of the 14^th century, when talking about one of the crusaders' marches.

Brief History

The stone Medininkai Castle is one of the biggest in Central and Eastern Europe! The castle is surrounded by double defensive ditches (one filled with water) and a wall. The total area, including the defensive ditches, is about 6.5 ha.

The castle consists of four towers connected by walls that are almost two-metres thick and 15-metres tall, with gates and firing holes. The main defence and residential tower (donjon) is about 30 metres tall. The building’s architecture is modest and simple.