Medininkai Castle

Medieval castle in Vilnius district, Lithuania
Reconstructed Medininkai Castle
Castle walls and tower drawn in the 19th century by Napoleon Orda
Plan of Medininkai castle northeastern tower

Medininkai Castle (Lithuanian: Medininkų pilis), a medieval castle in Vilnius district, Lithuania, was built in the first half of the 14th century. The defensive perimeter of the castle was 6.5 ha; it is the largest enclosure type castle in Lithuania.[1][2] It was built on plain ground and was designed for flank defence. The rectangular castle's yard covered approximately 1.8 hectares and was protected by walls 15 metres high and 2 metres thick. The castle had 4 gates and towers. The main tower (donjon), about 30 metres high, was used for residential quarters. Medininkai was first mentioned in 1392.[3] The castle was badly damaged by a major fire in the late 15th century. Because of increased use of firearms, this type of castle was no longer suited for defensive purposes and was later used as a residence. During the 17th–18th centuries it was reorganized into a farm and a bakery. After the castle's restoration, its museum currently exhibits large collection of items made from silver by artisans of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania,[4] and collection of hunting trophies and hunting knives of President Algirdas Brazauskas.[5]

Gallery

  • Inside of the keep
    Inside of the keep
  • Entrance into the keep
    Entrance into the keep
  • Aerial view of the castle
    Aerial view of the castle
  • Aerial view of the main tower
    Aerial view of the main tower
  • Litas commemorative coin dedicated to the Medininkai Castle
    Litas commemorative coin dedicated to the Medininkai Castle

See also

  • Castles in Lithuania

References

  1. ^ "Medininkai Castle". exploretrakaivilnius.lt. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Medininkai Castle". trakaimuziejus.lt. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Medininkai Castle". visitlithuania.net. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Kultūros savanoriai". Lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). 23 January 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Medininkai Castle". visitcastles.eu. Retrieved 4 November 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Medininkai Castle.
  • (in Lithuanian) Medininkai Castle description
  • (in Lithuanian) Medininkai Castle Photos by Lithuanian Photograph[permanent dead link]
  • The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea

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