Biržai Castle

Biržai Castle (Lithuanian: Biržų pilis, pronounced [ˈbɪrʒuː pɪɫɪs], Polish: Zamek w Birżach) is a 16th century castle in Biržai, northern Lithuania. It is located in Aukštaitija region, Panevėžys County. The castle was the first Italian-style bastion fort in Lithuania and one of the first in North-Eastern Europe. The well-preserved castle (most recently restored in 2013) now houses a museum, a library and a restaurant.

Construction of the earth bastion-type castle started in 1586 by the order of Krzysztof "Piorun" Radziwiłł. In 1575, preparing for this construction, a dam was built on the Agluona and Apaščia rivers at their confluence, and the artificial Lake Širvėna, covering about 40 km2 (15 sq mi), was created. Major works were finished in 1589.

Since the second half of the 17th century, the castle has been the main seat of the Biržai-Dubingiai Radziwiłł (Radvila) family line, which was transferred here from the Dubingiai Castle. Biržai Castle served as an essential Lithuanian stronghold during the wars with Sweden.

Tekst overgenomen uit “Biržai Castle” op de Engelstalige Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Biržai Castle staat op plaats 1.461 van 5.793 in de bekendheidsranglijst van deze atlas en op plaats 9 van de 24 die de atlas in Litouwen in kaart brengt. Gebouwd in 1586, en daarmee ouder dan 39% van de gedateerde bouwwerken in de atlas — een van de 495 bouwwerken in de atlas die uit de 16e eeuw stammen. Zie hoe dat zich verhoudt in de kastelenstatistiek.

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