Karaim National Museum of Seraya Shaphal

The founder of the Karaite Museum in Trakai was the world-famous orientalist and Karaite chief cleric (Hachan) Hadgi Seraya Khan Szapszal (1871-1961), who collected a large and impressive collection of domestic implements, works of art, weapons and documents. These provide the basis of the Museum’s exhibitions. Work on building the Museum premises began in 1938 under the leadership of the architect J. Borowski and with funding from the Polish Government. The Karaite Exhibition of Trakai History Museum is still being held in these premises today.