Travel Guide Biržai

Archaeologists have found traces of Stone Age settlements in Žvirbliai and Papyvėsa. The area, mainly covered with forests, was settled after the victory over the Order of the Knights Carrier in the 15th century.The name Biržai ('clearing') would refer to the result of this battle. Biržai was first mentioned in 1398, when Grand Duke Vytautas won the territory against the order. But it was not until 1455, when Radvila Astikaitis settled six peasants in her manor house, that the name was attached to a village. It is thus the seat of the most powerful dynasty of the Grand Duchy. In order to protect the northern border of the country, Kristupas Radvila Perkūnas began the construction of a fortress in 1586. To strengthen the defensive system of the bastion, he transformed the confluence of two rivers into a 400 ha reservoir, today called lake Širvėna. It is the first one in Lithuania; it surrounds the fortress with ramparts. The construction was completed in 1589. Kristupas Radvila Perkūnas obtains the rights to govern the town and Biržai becomes the first "private" town in Lithuania. Located on the trade route between Vilnius and Rīga, the city prospers.In 1625, the Swedes invade Lithuania and lay siege to Biržai, which is burnt down.A new castle is being rebuilt. It will be the site of the anti-Swedish pact signed by Poland, Lithuania and Russia. But in 1701 Biržai is attacked again. In 1811, the Radvila family sold the town to Count Tiškevičiai who settled across the lake and built the Astravas Palace. Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox churches and a synagogue were built. The Tiškevičiai family brings experts from Germany and founds the first brewery.Biržai was ravaged during the Second World War, when the Nazis and the Red Army fought each other there. Today, Biržai is an industrial centre, known for its breweries and flax factories.