Medininkai

Medininkai lies on the old route southeast of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, where a great masonry castle guarded the approaches to the Lithuanian capital. Its origins are associated with the fourteenth century, and in 1387 Jogaila founded a church here among the first established after Lithuania's conversion to Christianity.

The castle enjoyed particular favour under Casimir IV in the late fifteenth century. The ruler stayed here with his sons, whose tutor was the historian Jan Długosz. In 1494 Lithuanian representatives welcomed the embassy accompanying Helena of Moscow on her journey to marry Grand Duke Alexander. Although Medininkai later attained the status of a town, it never grew into a major urban centre; its castle and church remained witnesses to its earlier importance.