Biržų krašto muziejus „Sėla“

About the museum

The Biržų krašto muziejus (Biržai Regional Museum) officially opened on 16 February 1928. Since 1989 it has been housed in the palace of Biržai Castle, and since 2013 exhibitions have also been open in the restored castle arsenal. Of the former vast bastioned fortress complex, only a few buildings have been restored or reconstructed – the palace, the arsenal and two powder magazines; a bridge has been rebuilt, and the ramparts, bastions, defensive moat and parade ground have been well preserved.

The museum halls present the history and culture of the region: Sėlian and Žiemgalian archaeology, the era of the Radvila princes and the Tiškevičiai counts, the Biržai region under the Russian Empire, independent Lithuania and the second half of the 20th century. Much attention is given to the history of the region's religious denominations, its writing, art and ethnocultural past. Visitors can see the first authentic late-17th-century tiled stove rebuilt in Lithuania.

In the arsenal, rebuilt in 2013, interactive exhibitions on warfare and blacksmithing are on show, and the unique exhibition on old brewing and the programme “A biržiečė vaišin dainuodamūs” (“The Biržai Woman Hosting with Song”) introduce home-brewed beer and the hospitality traditions of the Aukštaitians. Two halls operate as a gallery, where contemporary art or folk art exhibitions are held every three to four weeks.

Highlights

• Biržai Castle palace and the restored arsenal
• Sėlian and Žiemgalian archaeology, the Radvila and Tiškevičiai eras
• The first authentic 17th-century tiled stove rebuilt in Lithuania
• Interactive exhibition on warfare and blacksmithing in the arsenal
• Old brewing exhibition and the programme “A biržiečė vaišin dainuodamūs”
• Audio guides in Lithuanian, Russian and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Biržų pilies rūmų ekspozicijos – Sėlian and Žiemgalian archaeology, the era of the Radvila and Tiškevičiai families, the Biržai region in the 19th and 20th centuries, the history of religious denominations, ethnography and old brewing.
• Biržų tvirtovės arsenalas – Interactive exhibition on warfare and blacksmithing of the 16th–17th centuries in the restored castle arsenal.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Biržų krašto muziejus „Sėla“ (savivaldybės biudžetinė įstaiga)

Admission & discounts

You can also pay by bank card. Refugees from Ukraine visit the museum free of charge. Free admission also for pensioners aged 80 and over, Lithuanian museum staff and ICOM members. Reductions apply only on presentation of a document confirming the entitlement.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The arsenal building is fully adapted for people with disabilities and has a lift. In the palace a lift is installed on the right side of the staircase, and a stair-lift for wheelchair users gives access to the exhibitions on three floors. If problems arise, please call +370 450 33397.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family tickets are offered, and educational lessons for children (5–10 years) and teenagers (11–18 years); the arsenal has an interactive exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Biržai Castle complex.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

There are unattended cloakrooms and free lockable storage lockers on the ground floors of the palace and the arsenal. On the ground floor of the palace there is a souvenir shop; at the ticket office you can strike a souvenir coin (blank €1).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit