2017Europa - Castles - First Day Cover

Biržai Castle is the only bastion-type fortress in Lithuania, which has also been best preserved in northern-eastern Europe. In the 16th century, a representative palace, an evangelical reformed church, an arsenal, food warehouses, barracks and other buildings were constructed. The fortress and the town formed an exceptional and solid defence complex. The bastion-type castle in the Renaissance style, the construction of which was concluded in 1589, currently represents an invaluable monument of history and architecture. In written sources, the castle of Klaipėda was first mentioned on 29 July 1252 – in a document whereby the master of the German Order and the bishop of Kuršas agreed on the construction of a castle between the rivers Nemunas and Danė. For many centuries, the castle suffered from aggressive attacks, was burned, destroyed and reconstructed again. Currently, the site of the castle invites visitors to see excavated remains and the foundations of the castle. In the museum of the castle, visitors can walk on the oldest pavement of Klaipėda, which was laid in the 16th century.