05/11/2025
Trakų turizmas - Visit Trakai apie mus rašo ir rodo 🤩
Užsukit ir patys paragaukit 🤤😎
Priimame užsakymus:
📲 +370 (698) 06 320
📩 [email protected]
🏰🥟The Karaim arrived in medieval Lithuania as warriors tasked with guarding Trakai; six centuries later, you can still find their influence throughout the city.
At the official declaration of the 2022 ‘Year of the Karaim’ in Lithuania, prime minister Ingrida Šimonyte described the Karaim people as a “unique treasure”, though official figures show there are only 196 living in the country today. Yet, despite being one of the smallest minorities in Europe, Karaim culture is still a big part of Trakai, the former Lithuanian capital (about 30km south-west of Vilnius), where they were once the city’s champions.
6️⃣ ways to experience Karaim culture
1. Trakai Island Castle. Rising like an apparition from Lake Galvė, Trakai Castle looks like something out of a fairy tale, with its orange brick walls and pointed tiled towers. It was this that the Karaim were originally invited here to defend.
2. Karaim Street. Known as Karaimų in Lithuanian, this is the small main street of the town, stretching from the centre towards the Island Castle.
3. Kenesa. The kenesa (prayer house) is also on Karaim Street. Virtual tour: https://www.karaim.eu/en/kenesas-virtual-tour/
4. Old Karaim Cemetry. It is located off Zalioji Street on the mainland and is divided into two parts: the older northern section, which was in use from the 14th century until 1710, and the later southern one, which goes all the way up to 1932.
5. Karaim Ethnographic Museum. In 1997 this exposition was renewed and now it introduces the visitors to the history, traditions, home and customs of Karaim nation.
6. Karaim food. There are many places in Trakai to taste them, but only two are run by Karaim families: Kybynlar and Kiubėtė, which are both named after famous Karaim dishes. The moon-shaped kybyn pasties are filled with meat, cheese or vegetables, while the larger circular kiubete pies are said to be shaped like either the sun or a shield.
🖇Article >> https://www.trakai-visit.lt/en/naujienos/6-ways-to-experience-karaim-culture-in-lithuania/
📸 Kybynlar
Source: https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/indigenous-karaim-culture-lithuania/
Author: Simon Broughton
