ALONG SCENIC GALV

from Peninsula Castle to U~utra- Bicycle route: kis Manor, and back.  The route starts in the peninsula sur- Trakai Castle  U~utrakis rounded by the waters of Luka (Bernardi- Route length: approx. 18 km nai), near the Trakai Peninsula Castle. Al- Route starting point: Kstu io str. though this Lithuanian fortress, one of GPS 54.645402, 24.936529 the most powerful in the fourteenth cen- Route end point: Kstu io str. tury, did not survive to our days, the re- GPS 54.645402, 24.936529 maining towers, the defensive wall and the ancient sanctuary site Auks Hill ma- kes a long lasting impression. While visi- Trakai is called the land of lakes for ting the castle site, take a look to the a reason. Trakai district has almost 200 la- former Dominican convent chapel which kes. Many of them surround the town of now hosts the sacral art exhibition . Trakai: Galv, Luka (Bernardinai) Neres- From the castle descend to Luka pinka, Totoriakiai, Giluais, Lovka, Babru- (Bernardinai) Lake, where the bike trail kas, Skaistis, Akmena and other lakes, begins. It is believed that the name Luka big and small. It seems that water reigns comes from the word meaning an arch. A the country, and land humbly gives way monastery in which Duke the to it. It's a great fun to travel around the Great was christened stood near the lake places like this. Not only for a good swim- in the fourteenth century. On this occa- ming opportunity but also for the wonder- sion, the Duke donated a stretch of the ful sceneries around the lakes. lake  an arch. The lake is also called All Trakai lakes are beautiful, but Bernardinai after the Bernardine Mo- nothing compares to remarkable Galv. nastery that stood on its shore in the six- It is one of the largest lakes in Trakai re- teenth  nineteenth century. The mo- gion and one of the deepest in . nastery owned the lake. It's banks are carved with many small Go along the bike trail, turn left and pe- bays, moreover, the lake is ornamented dal along Luka (Bernardinai) lake, which with 21 island  each with its own legend, in 300 m will merge with lake Galv. Soon and remarkable history. People tell many you will reach the Old Town of Trakai, and legions about the lake itself. It is said that on the right you will see the magnificent the lake's name comes after the word Trakai Island Castle  the only island head. Ostensibly, the lake used to take castle in the Eastern Europe. The island away at least one life  a head  every is called the Castle Island. It is the largest year. island of Lake Galv, occupying 2 ha. The picturesque Galv is a favourite The legend tells about mysterious vaults among water tourists, divers, vacatio- under the island, where the last chief war- ners, it is used for rower training, compe- lock of the old Lithuanian religion Krivis titions and regattas, so it is usually teem- Krivaitis still resides. ing with life every day. You will reach the castle by the bridge, You can look around Galv not only with a lot of pedestrians, so be careful. by sailing a canoe, a boat, a yacht or a Drop by and look around the castle and steamboat, but also riding a bicycle. We the History Museum. It will be interesting invite you to the 18 km trip along Galv to see how the inhabitants used to live in the castle a few hundred years ago, to inspect the coin treasure room, and the exhibitions of archaeology, applied art, history, Karaim and Tatar cultures and his- tory. From the castle island go back to the bicycle trail and travel for another few hundred meters until you reach the observation deck, with a magnificent panorama of Galv and the Castle Island. 27

was built in the 19th century by Count Juo- zapas Tiakevi ius, who was cherishing and decorating this place nearly all his life. The count was not only proud about the luxury palace, but also the wonderful park, embellished with ponds, miniature bridges, sculptures, and carved with mys- terious paths. It was designed by the landscape architecture celebrity of the time, Édouard François André. When you enter the palace grounds, leave your bike and take a stroll in the park, quietly reminding of elaborate count Tiakevi iai dinner parties, music and poetry evenings; take a rest on the terrace from which the entire Galv will be in your palm. In summer, the terrace is turned into a stage for concerts  just In around 100 m the bicycle trail will imagine the impression Galv gives, end. In that spot, turn left and you will embellished by the combination of mu- reach Karaims street. Turn right and dri- sic, the fascinating palace and the setting ve along the roadway. Here are many ca- sun! fes on both sides of the street, where you After admiring the romantic U~utrakis, can savour traditional Lithuanian and Ka- slowly, accompanied by Galv waters, raim meals. go back the same road to Trakai. In about a kilometre you will reach the roundabout, then keep right. Immediately PLACES TO VISIT: after the roundabout you will see the Row- ing Museum , exhibiting many rowing- Exposition of Sacral Art related attractions from around the world. F Kstu io g. 4, Trakai Ride 200 m behind the museum whe- GPS 54.662654, 24.909995 re the bicycle trail starts again. Pedal for ) +370 528 55 297 about a kilometre to see the arrow to the * [email protected] Akmena Lake beach  a great place to 8 www.trakaimuziejus.l take a swim. Yet for half a kilometre, at Trakai History Museum the intersection, turn right and drive 1.6 F km along Galv, until you see the turn to Pilies sala, Trakai U~utrakis Manor. If you are not in a hurry, GPS 54.652633; 24.933611 skip U~utrakis for a while, and drive for ) +370 528 53 946 300 meters to the observation deck . It * [email protected] will offer you the breathtaking panorama 8 www.trakaimuziejus.lt of Galv Lake and Trakai Island Castle. Rowing Museum  Another interesting site the Angels F Karaims g. 93A, Trakai Hill  is very close from the observa- GPS 54.653906; 24.918044 tion deck, in 400 m. During the celebra- ) +370 698 13 777 tion of the millennium of Lithuania, and to * commemorate the 600th anniversary of [email protected] Trakai Blessed Virgin Mary Church, they 8 www.academia.lt built nearly three dozen 5 m long oak Akmena Lake Beach angel sculptures here, symbolising the GPS 54.662654, 24.909995 fundamental Christian values: Love, Observation Platform Hope, Faith, Life, Spirit Strength, Spirit GPS 54.672879, 24.931658 Peace, Peace, Compassion, Sacrifice, Camaraderie, Union, etc. Believe me, the The Hill of Angels view is spectacular! GPS 54.676518, 24.928315 From the Angels Hill goal back to the U~utrakis Manor Estate turn to U~utrakis Manor and pedal to F U~trakio g. 17, Trakai the manor 2 km along not a busy road GPS 54.659721; 24.943707 near the lake. At any time of the year U~u- ) +370 528 55 006 trakis will greet you with its festive gla- * mour. The newly renovated manor house [email protected] shines with whiteness and elegance. It 8 www.seniejitrakai.lt 29 Bicycle route: Trakai Peninsula Castle  Trakai Castle  U~utrakis