Birzai has always been connected with the aristocratic Radvilu family; when M. K. Radvila built a castle here in the 16th century, the town became Lithuania's most important defensive outpost. The castle was captured many times during the war with Sweden, and was blown up in 1704. It has now been restored and is home to a library and a fascinating Folk Museum.

With the impoverishment of the Radvilu family, Birzai was given over to Count Tiskevicius, who built the splendid Classic Astravas Palace on the northern bank of Sirvena Lake. At present, the Palace is being restored, but it can still be visited and you may wish to attend one of the concerts regularly held there.

This is the land of traditional, homemade beer. Birzai is famous for its mineral waters, its medicinal mud and the Likenai Health Resort. You can take one of the cures, have your joints articulated, spinal column and muscles treated. Five km. from Birzai is the Astravas Estate which you reach by traversing a wooden bridge over the lake.