Biržai District Municipality
Aukštaitija
Lithuania's longest pedestrian bridge across an artificial lake
Lake Širvėna, Biržai, linking the town with Astravas Manor
56.21290, 24.76930
30-60 minutes with stops
late spring to autumn; sunsets over the lake are especially good
Lake Širvėna Bridge, Lithuania's longest pedestrian bridge
Lithuania's longest pedestrian bridge
The Biržai Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Širvėna is the longest pedestrian bridge in Lithuania. VLE gives its length as 525 m and width as 2.45 m. It crosses the eastern part of Lake Širvėna and directly links Biržai town with Astravas Manor on the opposite shore.
From the bridge you get a broad lake view: open water, islands, and the distant silhouette of Astravas Manor. It is a favourite walking place for residents and visitors, especially on clear evenings at sunset.
Bridge and history
The current bridge is a beam structure with a wooden deck laid on load-bearing metal beams. It opened in 1987 and was later renewed several times, including reconstructions in 2003 and 2019, when the deck, railings, and lighting were replaced.
It is said that a pedestrian bridge between Biržai and Astravas existed over the lake as early as 1928, when a linen factory began operating in Astravas Manor buildings and easier access was needed. The current structure is later, but it continues this older crossing tradition.
Lake Širvėna: Lithuania's oldest artificial lake
The bridge is special because of the lake it crosses. VLE states that Lake Širvėna is Lithuania's oldest known artificial water body, created around 1575 when the Radziwiłłs dammed the Apaščia and Agluona rivers. It was made for strategic defence of the new Biržai bastion castle from the north, and later its water powered Astravas Manor mills.
The lake area varies with water level and is about 320-350 ha; it has 15 islands, the best known being Love Island. Lake Širvėna and its surroundings belong to Biržai Regional Park, so the bridge crosses a protected landscape as well as water.
How to visit
The bridge is an open, free pedestrian space accessible year-round. The most convenient plan is to start on the Biržai side and walk to Astravas Manor, connecting town, lake, and manor in one route. One crossing takes about half an hour; with stops and return, plan about an hour.
The nicest season is late spring to autumn, especially in the evening for sunsets over the lake. Combine the bridge with Biržai Castle on the southern shore and Astravas Manor at the northern end for a coherent Radziwiłł-region route.
