One of the oldest cities of Lithuania, Biržai has an over a five-centuries-long history of being granted the status of city. The city lies at the confluence of two rivers, Apaščia and Agluona, and on the shores of two lakes, Širvėna and Kilučiai. The city’s history is closely associated with the Dukes of Biržai, members of the Radvila (Radziwiłł) family, who resided at their castle fortified with bastions and ramparts. In the middle of 19th century, the Count Tiškevičius (Tyszkiewicz) family also left a deep imprint on the city’s history. The city boasts magnificent churches: St. John’s the Baptist Church and Evangelical Reformed Church. Biržai is a place where people avoid uttering a common swearing expression: ‘Kad tu prasmegtum!’ (Literally: Be swallowed by the Earth) even to a foe because it may come true. Circulating ground water may dissolve gypsum, sandstone or dolomite bedrock, gradually forming spaces and caverns known as sinkholes. The total number of karst formations in the district is estimated to be more than 9 000. It is a place where local people cherish their traditional knowledge of using mineral resources for healing purposes and of brewing beer. Some information about objects:
1. BIRŽAI CASTLE
Biržai Castle is a Dutch-style fortress with bastions built by the Duke Radvila family and used to defend Lithuania’s northern borders in the 17th-18th centuries.In 1978-1988, a dilapidated palace of the castle complex has been restored. Today, it houses Jurgis Bielinis Public Library of Biržai from 1988, and Biržai Regional Museum Sėla, from 1989 (www.birzumuziejus.lt).
Besides the palace, two gunpowder buildings, and a bridge have so far been restored. In 2013 years was rebuilt an arsenal. Address: 3 J. Radvilos strt., Biržai
2. FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS ŠIRVĖNA LAKE
Širvėna Lake is the oldest artificial water body in Lithuania. In 1575, it came into existence following the building of a dam across two rivers running through Biržai for protection of both the fortress and the city. Stretched over a swampy area of nearly 400 hectares, the pond reliably protected the castle and the city from the north. Nowadays, the area of Širvėna Lake is around 325 hectares.
3. ASTRAVAS MANOR
Following the establishment of a linen factory in buildings of Astravas Manor in 1928, a 525-metre-long and 2.45-metre-wide footbridge has been built over Širvėna Lake to connect the Astravas Manor and the city of Biržai. It is the longest footbridge across a lake in Lithuania. Today, the footbridge is very popular with anglers and newlyweds, local people and visitors. It is a great place to admire views of the city, savour the calm tranquillity of the lake, and take a stroll to Astravas Manor.
4. COW’S CAVE (KARVĖS OLA)
It is the most famous and best-explored geological monument of nature of national significance (classified from 1964) located in the North of Lithuania. The spot is marked by a wooden post bearing carved inscriptions: ‘Cow’s Cave’ and ‘Nature heritage object’. The Cow’s Cave is a funnel-shaped, almost round sinkhole. According to speleologists, it appeared around 200 years ago. It is 10-12 metres in diameter and around 12.6 metres deep. An opening is at the bottom of sinkhole.
Address: Village of Karajimiškis, district of Biržai
5. THE VIEW TOWER IN KIRKILAI
In the territory of Biržai regional park, next to karst lakes, a view tower is built; its form resembles a canoe or a sinking boat. The height of the tower is almost 32 metres. The width of the viewpoint, which is in 30 metres height, is almost 30 square metres. On the first floor there is a 27.75 sq. m. amphitheatre meant for gatherings, small events or just for relaxation. The walking path through the karst lakelets of Kirkilai provides the opportunity to see at very close range these exceptional water bodies. The path runs across small bogs and peninsulas rich in wetland plants and animals. At the end of the path, you will step on a footbridge to reach the opposite shore of the lake. If you will look at water from the footstep, you may spot some colonies of purple sulphur bacteria.
6. SMARDONĖ SPRING
The Smardonė Spring was formed by karst processes. Bitterish in taste and smelling hydrogen sulphide, water inspired local people to name it accordingly – Stinky Spring. Nobody used this water for cooking meat or making tea or coffee but everybody considered it good for baking bread and washing. People found that this water is beneficial for sick people: to drink, to wash eyes, or to soak ailing hands or legs directly in the spring. Healing properties of water of the Smardonė Spring were mentioned for the first time in the sources in 1587. When Likėnai Water-cure Resort was opened in 1938, there was no bores and water was drawn from springs, including the big Smardonė Spring. Water was used to treat various ailments, for baths and diluting the healing mud.
Address: Park of Likėnai Rehabilitation Hospital, district of Biržai
7. SODELIŠKIAI MANOR
“Grains road“ – it‘s an educational tour in authentic 20th century homestead. During this excursion you will see many household appliances, farming instruments and other machinery that was used years ago… Nevertheless you will visit our windmill that is the only functional windmill in Lithuania! Halfway through our tour you are going to settle in a small cozy house to make your own loaf of traditional bread. Our guides will help you and explain how our ancestries were appreciating and making bread in old times. While bread loafs are baking, it is a great opportunity to relax and taste our homemade beer, game meet dishes, cheese and herbal tea. Yet it is not over! After a small break you will be invited to visit a museum of classic cars and to see our lovely animals. Museum of antique technique at Sodeliskiai manor. Here you can see antique steam tractors, old classic tractors, buses, trucks, special purpose machinery, motorcycles, bicycles and cars.
8. ECO BARE-FOOT PARK
He length of ECO BARE-FOOT PARK walking trail is 1300 meters! The journey will begin with a stone path, but just around the corner your feet will feel sand. You will face even more exotic terrain if you continue following the path: sawdust, stones of various shape and size and even wood planks. You will find walking over reeds, withies, pinecones quite enjoyable. Of course you can jump from stump to stump or just happily walk through dirt. Then you will cross a small ditch, a wooden bridge will lift you up quite fast and as suddenly will bring you down. After a path full of sharp stones, you will be walking through sand and simple gravel, that will make you feel nice and relaxed. In case you find yourself out of breath, you are welcome to sit and rest on a bench that you will find in the middle of the walking trail.
9. LEVANDER FARM
Here you can find more than 1000 lavender bushes. Lavender farm offers:
*Renting a field of lavenders for photos sessions
*Lavenders plants
*Fresh and dried lavenders for bouquets
*A variety of productions made of lavenders
*Sightseeing/educational tour
During the tour you will be introduced to the process of growing lavenders as well as the products which are hand made solely from lavenders. You can enjoy a cup of tea, but of course lavender tea. Guests will be welcome to take a walk through lavender field. There you will take photos in amazing surrounding of lavenders. Take time to relax in a cozy and flavorful Provence style farm. Address: 10 Dvaro strt., village of Mockūnai, district of Biržai. Contacts: Tel.: +37068738636; E-mail: giedrejankuniene@gmail.com
10. SHEEP GIVES CLOTHING AND FOOD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
During this educational program the visitors will be introduced to several different breeds of sheep of various productive directions and their products. The program also includes:
*wool felting lessons
*multon and sheep product tastings
*leisure at the sheep farm
The farm also rents premises for seminars and conferences;
It is located 17 km outside of Biržai, in the Latvian border zone.
Address: village of Dvargaliai, district of Biržai
Contacts: +370 686 26460; E-mail: milikristi@gmail.com
