# Trakai

> city in Lithuania

**Wikidata**: [Q191015](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191015)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trakai)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trakai

## Summary
Trakai is a historic city in Lithuania, founded in 1409, known for its cultural heritage, scenic lakes, and the iconic Island Castle. It serves as the capital of Trakai District Municipality and has a rich history tied to the Duchy of Trakai and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Trakai is situated in Lithuania, with coordinates 54.6333°N, 24.9333°E, and an elevation of 155 meters above sea level.
- **Area**: The city covers 11.5 square kilometers.
- **Population**: As of 2023, Trakai has a population of 5,912, with historical data showing fluctuations from 6,100 in 1999 to 4,153 in 2020.
- **Inception**: Trakai was officially founded in 1409, with the earliest written record dating back to 1337.
- **Administrative Role**: It is the capital of Trakai District Municipality and has historically served as the capital of Trakai Voivodeship and Troki County (1795–1920).
- **Country Affiliation**: Trakai has been part of Lithuania (1918–1940, 1990–present), the Soviet Union (1940–1990), and the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic during Soviet rule.
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00.
- **Postal Code**: LT-21001.
- **Official Name**: The city’s official name is "Trakai," with historical names including "Троки" (pre-1940) and "Тракай" (post-1940).
- **Aliases**: Known by various names in different languages, including Troki (Polish), Trakaï (French), and トゥラカイ (Japanese).
- **Website**: The official website is [https://trakai.lt/](https://trakai.lt/), with a Lithuanian-language version preferred.
- **Coat of Arms**: Trakai has a distinct coat of arms, depicted [here](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Trakai_(Lithuania)_CoA.svg).
- **Twin Cities**: Trakai has sister city relationships with multiple international cities, including Rheine (Germany, since 1996), Alanya (Turkey, since 2006), and Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine, since 2006).
- **UN/LOCODE**: LTTKI.
- **Elevation**: 155 meters above sea level.
- **Geonames ID**: 864523.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 937e97a8-5699-4652-8e68-e2cc7b67a4fd.
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID**: 593871.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Trakai?**
Trakai was founded in 1409 and has played a key role in Lithuanian history, serving as the capital of the Duchy of Trakai and later as part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Its Island Castle is a symbol of Lithuania’s medieval heritage.

**What is the population of Trakai?**
As of 2023, Trakai has a population of 5,912. Historical data shows variations, with 6,100 residents in 1999 and a low of 4,153 in 2020.

**What are the twin cities of Trakai?**
Trakai has established sister city relationships with multiple cities, including Rheine (Germany), Alanya (Turkey), Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine), Lutsk (Ukraine), and Koszalin (Poland).

**What is the official language and website of Trakai?**
The official language is Lithuanian, and the city’s preferred website is [https://trakai.lt/](https://trakai.lt/).

**What is the geographical location of Trakai?**
Trakai is located at 54.6333°N, 24.9333°E, with an elevation of 155 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 11.5 square kilometers.

## Why It Matters
Trakai is a cultural and historical hub in Lithuania, renowned for its medieval architecture, particularly the Island Castle, which attracts tourists and scholars alike. Its strategic location and historical role as a capital city underscore its importance in Lithuanian and broader European history. The city’s multicultural heritage, including its Karaim community, adds to its unique identity. Additionally, Trakai’s twin city relationships foster international cooperation and cultural exchange.

## Notable For
- **Historic Island Castle**: A UNESCO-recognized landmark and symbol of Lithuania’s medieval past.
- **Multicultural Heritage**: Home to the Karaim people, a Turkic ethnic group with a distinct culture and language.
- **Scenic Lakes**: Trakai is surrounded by picturesque lakes, making it a popular tourist destination.
- **Administrative Capital**: Serves as the capital of Trakai District Municipality and has historical ties to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
- **International Sister Cities**: Maintains partnerships with cities across Europe and beyond, promoting cultural and economic ties.

## Body
### History
Trakai was officially founded in 1409, though its earliest written record dates to 1337. It served as the capital of the Duchy of Trakai until 1413, when it became part of the Troksky uezd. From 1795 to 1920, it was the capital of Troki County. During the 20th century, Trakai was part of Lithuania (1918–1940), the Soviet Union (1940–1990), and again Lithuania since 1990.

### Geography and Demographics
Trakai covers an area of 11.5 square kilometers and is located at an elevation of 155 meters above sea level. The city’s population has fluctuated over the years, with 5,912 residents as of 2023. Historical data shows a peak of 6,100 in 1999 and a low of 4,153 in 2020.

### Administrative Role
Trakai is the capital of Trakai District Municipality and has historically been the administrative center of Trakai Voivodeship and Troki County. It is also part of the Trakai powiat.

### Cultural and Historical Landmarks
The city is famous for its Island Castle, a medieval fortress located on an island in Lake Galvė. The castle is a major tourist attraction and a symbol of Lithuania’s heritage. Trakai is also known for its Karaim community, a Turkic ethnic group with a unique cultural and religious identity.

### International Relations
Trakai has established sister city relationships with multiple cities, including:
- **Rheine (Germany)**: Since 1996.
- **Alanya (Turkey)**: Since 2006.
- **Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine)**: Since 2006.
- **Lutsk (Ukraine)**: Since 2010.
- **Koszalin (Poland)**: Since 2019.
- **Malbork (Poland)**: Since 1997.
- **Schönebeck (Germany)**: Since 2022.

### Online Presence
Trakai’s official website is [https://trakai.lt/](https://trakai.lt/), with a Lithuanian-language version preferred. The city is also featured in various encyclopedias, including the Great Soviet Encyclopedia and the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron.

### Miscellaneous
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00.
- **Postal Code**: LT-21001.
- **UN/LOCODE**: LTTKI.
- **Geonames ID**: 864523.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 937e97a8-5699-4652-8e68-e2cc7b67a4fd.
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID**: 593871.

Trakai’s rich history, cultural diversity, and international connections make it a significant city in Lithuania and a notable destination for visitors interested in European heritage.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.trakai.lt/gyventojams/tarptautinis-bendradarbiavimas/miestai-partneriai/631)
3. [Source](http://www.trakai.lt/index.php?813797980)
4. [Source](https://www.rheine.de/kultur-freizeit-tourismus/staedtepartnerschaften/429.Trakai.html)
5. [Source](https://www.rheine.de/kultur-freizeit-tourismus/staedtepartnerschaften/index.html)
6. [Source](https://www.alanya.bel.tr/S/697/TRAKAI---LITVANYA)
7. [Source](http://www.pmtgv.ro/anexaHCL110-2014.pdf)
8. [Source](http://www.mvk.if.ua/news/4114/)
9. [Source](https://www.lutskrada.gov.ua/en/pages/pobratymy-lutska)
10. [Source](http://old.lutskrada.gov.ua/en/citizen/trakai)
11. [Source](https://www.schoenebeck.de/de/aktuelles-detail-stadtleben/staedtepartnerschaftsvertrag-zwischen-schoenebeck-und-trakai-unterschrieben.html)
12. [Source](https://www.schoenebeck.de/de/staedtepartnerschaften.html)
13. [Source](https://spv-schoenebeck.de/Partnerschaften/Litauen-Trakai/)
14. [Source](https://www.koszalin.pl/pl/page/miasta-partnerskie)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Czech National Authority Database
17. MusicBrainz
18. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2017&endPeriod=2017)
19. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2018&endPeriod=2018)
20. Resident population by city / town at the beginning of the year
21. Great dictionary of geographical names
22. GeoNames
23. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/lt.htm)
24. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
25. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
26. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Trakai-3ZYNJ)