Biržai Castle

About this place

Biržai Castle is a 16th-century fortress in northern Lithuania, the country's first Italian-style bastion fort and one of the first in northeastern Europe. It stands on the shore of the artificial Lake Širvėna, surrounded by a moat and green earth ramparts. Work began in 1586 on the orders of Krzysztof Radziwiłł, with the main building finished by 1589. In preparation, a dam had gone up in 1575 on the Agluona and Apaščia rivers at their confluence, creating the lake. From the second half of the 17th century the castle was the main seat of the Biržai line of the Radziwiłł family, and it served as a key stronghold in the wars with Sweden. It was rebuilt from ruins in the 1980s in Renaissance-Baroque style and most recently restored in 2013. You cross a wooden bridge over the moat and pass between the ramparts into a wide yard, where the white palace stands with its arcades and red roof, along with a reconstructed arsenal. The palace now holds a regional museum and a library, with a restaurant alongside. From the ramparts you look over the lake, the best part of the place towards evening. The castle lies about 57.8 km from Panevėžys and 172.2 km from Vilnius in a straight line. Walking the ramparts and gardens is easy and suits families, and long walking trails circle the lake. Check museum hours, especially early in the week.