The Biržos Bridge is one of the most well-known symbols of Klaipėda connecting not only the riverbanks but also different eras of the city’s history. It inherited its name from the stock exchange (Lith. birža) that operated nearby – a trading building that once played an important role in the economic life of the port city.
Until the 18th century, the bridge was wooden and had a removable cover in the middle to be opened to allow sailing ships to pass without damaging their masts. Each passing ship had to pay a toll, it was like an engineering gate to the city, controlling movement and trade.
In 1879, a new steel bascule bridge with brick supports was built. It was destroyed during World War II, rebuilt in 1948, and fully reconstructed in 2007. The Biržos Bridge is lively not only with traffic but also with memories. It tells the story of the city’s connection with the port, the history of trade and the changes within passage of time.