Druskininkai - about resort

HISTORY

The health resort Druskininkai is situated in the very south ofLithuania not far from the borders of Poland and Byelorussia. It is about 300 kilometers away from the Baltic Sea, and it is 103 meters above the sea level. Druskininkai celebrated its 200 th anniversary in 1994. Thepopulation of the town is about 20.000.

It is not only the name of the resort itself that makes Druskininkai a well-known town. The famous artist M.K. Ciurlionis also lived here. Those who come here can visit his memorial museum.

All the year round 9 sanatoriums and a balneological center of 200 placesare open. There are 7 unique spurting mineral springs here. Variousinternal diseases are treated with the help of mineral waters and mud procedures.

Druskininkai is surrounded by pine forests, so the air in the town and its environs is clean and pleasant. Taken separately, neither the mineral springs nor the pine groves or the most enchanting Lithuanian river together with its tiny tributary would reflect the overwhelming charm of Druskininkai as a total entity - the oasis of peacefulness, freshness and health, the emerald of the Lithuania land.

Even a most voluminous book of pictures about Druskininkai would fail to show all its magnificence and prosperity. Much is left unshown and can only be experienced personally.

We offer you an active rest and treatment in Druskininkai.

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SURROUNDINGS

Liskiava

Liskiava is an old and small town at distance of 9 kilometers from Druskininkai on the left bank of the Nemunas. According to historical and archeological data there used to be primitive communal settlements in this
place, fragments of broken earthenware have also been found here (dated 2000 BC)

Yotvings (a tribe of southern Balts) are supposed to have lived here. It is said that Liskiava was founded by duke Erdvilas. Liskiava has been mentioned in historical documents since 1044. We would suggest our guests to look around Liskiava hill-fort with remnants of castle tower, to visit the restored Dominican monastery and a wonderful church in late baroque and rococo style, an ichtyological lake Liskiava and other places of Dzukija reservation.

During the season you can get to Liskiava by steamboat. Excursions by uses, cars and on bikes can also be arranged.

You are kindly invited to Liskiava !

Raigardas

5 kilometers to the south of Druskininkai lies a deep Raigardas valley occupying an area of 14 square kilometers. It was formed about 5000 years ago, when the curve of the Nemunas began increasing and moving to the right at the same time. Nemunas left so
me old riverbeds in the valley, two of them turned into lakelets - Dvarnas near Pervalka and lake Nemunykstis near Svendubre.

Raigardas is the source of legends and folk tales. This place inspired M.K.Ciurlionis to create one of his immortal works, the triptych "Raigardas".

Svendubrė

Svendubre is a street village 5 kilometers away from Druskininkai, and it is an architectural monument of local importance . It historical documents it has been mentioned since 1620.

Interesting ancient Dzukai (Lithuanian south-east dialect) farmsteads with large fenced-in yards are situated on the northern edge of the Raigardas valley.

There are a lot of legends and folk tales about this place because of its impressive scenery.

Alot of attention is given to Svendubre stone - Devil's stone. This huge boulder on the northern edge of Svendubre is a geological monument. Local people and tour guides can tell a lot of stories about it.

Sun Way

This is the favorite resting place of both the guests of the health resort
and the people living here. This path stretches away for 3 kilometers from the
center of the town to the other part of it called Ratnycia.

The benches, arbours, small bridges over the clear and playful Ratnycia
rivulet, all made by Vytautas Urnevicius living in Druskininkai, invite you to simply take off your shoes and walk on bare-foot.

There are beaches, bathing places with cascades, quiet nooks, and a
restaurant-cafe of peculiar interior "Alka" where you can relax.

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