Medininkai Castle

Medininkai Castle was erected in the first part of the 14th century in the Vilnius area of Lithuania. The defensive perimeter of the castle measured 6.5 acres, making it Lithuania's largest enclosure type fortress. It was constructed on flat land and was intended for flank protection. The rectangular castle yard was roughly 1.8 hectares in size and was surrounded by walls 15 meters high and 2 meters thick. The fortress featured four gates and four towers. The main tower (donjon), which stood approximately 30 meters tall, housed residential sections.

Medininkai was referenced for the first time in 1392. A big fire in the late 15th century severely destroyed the fortress. Due to the expanding usage of weapons, this sort of castle was no longer suitable for defensive reasons and was eventually converted into a dwelling. It was restructured into a farm and a bakery between the 17th and 18th centuries. Following its renovation, the castle's museum now houses a huge collection of silver objects manufactured by Grand Duchy of Lithuania artists, as well as President Algirdas Brazauskas' hunting trophies and hunting knives.

Location: Vilnius