Trakai Historical National Park

Trakai Historical National Park
Trakai Historical National Park
Trakų istorinis nacionalinis parkas
IUCN category II (national park)
	Trakai Island Castle
	Trakai Historical National Park
Location	Lithuania
Nearest city	Trakai
Coordinates	54°38′20″N 24°25′08″E / 54.639°N 24.419°E
Area	81.49 km2 (31.46 sq mi)
Established	1992

Trakai Historical National Park (Lithuanian: Trakų istorinis nacionalinis parkas) is a national park in Lithuania. It was designated in 1992 to embrace the historic city of Trakai, some 25 kilometers west of Vilnius, and the forests, lakes, and villages in its environs.^[1] It is a Category II park in the IUCN classification.^[2] It is the only historical national park in Europe. ^[3]

The park is included in UNESCO's Tentative Lists.^[4]

Nature

Logo of the Trakai Historical National Park

The parallel chains of hills and ridges formed by the glacier alternate with narrow and deep or wide and flat lake-like ridges. There are 32 lakes in the park. Lakes Galvė, Skaistis [lt], Totoriškių [lt], Luka [lt] connect with ducts and form a single system. The largest of the lakes is Lake Galvė with 21 islands (the most famous is Castle Island) and the cleanest is Akmena [lt] lake.

Of interest are the Kudrionys forest and the Plomėnų and Varnikai wetlands, where many mammals and bird species find refuge. Plomėnų swamp has a large colony of waterfowl and many species of protected plants. Lake Plomėnų [lt] is home to a large colonies of black-headed gulls. The nature of the Varnikai Reserve can be explored on a hiking trail.

The park is famous for the number of sights and it attractive surroundings. There is a hilltop on the north shore of Galvė lake, opening up great views.