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The Way of Vytautas the Great

History, Trakai

Audio guide

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Today, the travellers are led to Old Trakai along the Vytautas the Great Road. Nine roadway pillars have been erected to symbolise important stages in the life of Vytautas the Great. The symbolic road of Vytautas the Great was launched on the 570th anniversary of his death in 2000.

The road to Old Trakai, the historical capital of the country, stretches from the St. George's Chapel.

From the pillar hillside, you can see the tower of Trakai Castle, known as the Donjon, and the Trakai Church towering above the trees. This sculpture recalls the battles of Vytautas the Great and symbolises the might of this unbreakable warrior.

St Casimir’s roadway pillar. St Casimir - a prince, a warrior, a symbol of Christianity, is depicted holding a small church and a sword in his hands. The sculpture "Escape to Egypt" symbolises the Karaite resettlement to Lithuania. The pillar to St Catherine of Alexandria symbolises the efforts of Vytautas the Great to send young people to study in Western Europe and Mikola of Old Trakai, the first Lithuanian student at the University of Krakow!

The mournful Pietà symbolises the death of Grand Duke Kęstutis at Krėva Castle in 1382.Vytautas the Great is depicted holding a sword in one hand and the state symbol, the Vytis, in the other.

 

Vytautas the Great inhabited Benedictine monks in his castle in 1405. St Benedict is depicted in the sculpture with a painting of Our Lady of Old Trakai. The last roadway pillar is dedicated to St. Benedict. The Mary with the Child - stands in the Old Trakai castle site and marks the destination of the Way of Vytautas. The sculpture is reminiscent of medieval Madonna and symbolises pure motherhood and devotion to the motherland. However, for many people it is more reminiscent of the pagan heroine Birutė, holding Vytautas in her arms.

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