Balbieriškis

Balbieriškis (Polish:Balwierzyszki German:Bauwerischeck, Bauwersk Russian:Бальвержишки, Бальберишкис ) a small town in Kaunas County in central Lithuania. It is situated on the left bank of the Neman River. As of 2001 it had a population of 1,180. The town was established by German lumberman Hanus, who received a plot of land in wilderness of Suvalkija from Grand Duke Sigismund I the Old. Hanus cleared the forest and built an estate. The settlement grew around the estate and was awarded city rights in 1530. However, the privileges were revoked in 1776.