Biržai Region Museum “Sėla”, Biržai, Lithuania

Nestled in the heart of the city, within the restored palace of Biržai Castle, the Museum “Sėla” – named after the ancient Baltic tribe of the Selonians – is a modern complex that brings to life four centuries of northern Lithuania’s history.

The castle itself is a testament to resilience. Originally built as an Italian-style bastion fortress by the Grand Hetman Christopher Radziwiłł “The Thunderbolt” between 1575 and 1589, it stood at the epicentre of the wars with Sweden. During the 17th century, the castle was destroyed, later rebuilt in the Dutch style, and ultimately blown up in 1704. The Russian Tsar Peter the Great and the Polish King Augustus II visited the castle in 1701 and signed a military alliance here. Following two and a half centuries of decay, the site was reconstructed. In 1988, the iconic 42-meter wooden bridge and a residential palace were rebuilt, followed by the two gunpowder cellars and the arsenal. Today, the palace houses the museum, offering a journey into the rich history of northern Lithuania.

Located in the museum’s basement, the archaeological exhibition invites visitors to travel through time. The Ancient Period Hall displays valuable archaeological finds from the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages. Unearthed from Selonian and Semigalian burial mounds, these artifacts include ancient work tools, weaponry, and pieces of jewellery. The exhibition continues with the history of the Biržai Duchy, featuring a detailed map, a model of the second Biržai Castle, and a fragment of the original retaining wall that survived the destructive Swedish bombardment of 1704.

The Radziwill-era Hall presents authentic Magdeburg Law privileges, documents, engravings, and 17th-century city seals. The exhibition highlights include a monumental tiled stove, rebuilt in 2006.

The 19th-century Tyszkiewicz Heritage Hall displays furniture, paintings, and interior décor from the Astravas Manor. The adjacent exhibition space is dedicated to the Lithuanian press ban (1864–1904), featuring the portrait and personal walking stick of the legendary book smuggler, Jurgis Bielinis.

The Household and Ethnography Halls invite you to explore the region’s cultural spirit. Admire traditional clothing, forged crosses, and folk instruments, alongside a curated collection of antique porcelain, including fine pieces from the renowned Kuznetsov and Gardner factories.

Housed in the Arsenal building, the permanent military exhibition features cannonballs of various calibres and grenade fragments. The collection’s crown jewel – a massive 17th-century mortar – stands as a centrepiece. Interactive elements let you literally touch military history, with an engaging blacksmithing exhibition located nearby.

The museum offers educational programmes for schoolchildren, families, and adults, available in Latvian, English, and Russian. Highlights include the programme “From a grain to a song: Biržai traditions and hospitality”, which explores ancient brewing traditions of the region.

Details and tickets: www.birzumuziejus.lt

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Biržai, Lithuania