Health, culture and entertainment in Druskininkai

Health, culture and entertainment in Druskininkai

Dzūkija, also called Dainava, is the southeast ethnic region of Lithuania. Druskininkai is one of the most beautiful resorts rich in history, people and nature. The town surrounded by pine forests at the confluence of the Nemunas and Ratnyčia rivers is famous for its mineral water springs and healing mud. Druskininkai is first mentioned in 1596 in the Lithuanian Metrika. The name associated with salt (druska in Lith.) and salt evaporation witnesses that local people produced salt from mineral water. People noticed that wading in springs by the Nemunas River helped wounded legs heal faster. Already in the 17^th century there appeared healers, Sūručiai dynasty the most known among them. In 1794, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Stanislaw Poniatowski issued a decree proclaiming Druskininkai a health settlement. The resort history started after professor of chemistry Ignacy Fonberg of Vilnius University examined the water and evaluated it favourably. Then, in 1837, the tsar Nicholas I confirmed the project of establishing a resort. Until the 19^th century, the treatment conditions in Druskininkai were rather primitive. Visitors stayed at village people’s huts, mineral water was brought to them in buckets.

Everything changed in the 19^th century when Doctor Jan Pilecki started working in Druskininkai. He was an extremely energetic, industrious man, who “conducted” life in Druskininkai for 36 years. It was he who initiated construction of mineral water galleries, bathing places, guesthouses, kursaal (a resort home in German), laying out a park. He organized concerts, parties, headed a theatre. It was he who sparked the true resort spirit in Druskininkai, which is live up to date.

Nowadays Druskininkai is a world-known balneological resort, in which treatment is by mineral water, mud and air. People come to Druskininkai not only because of sanatoria, health and SPA centres. The town and enviros are ideal for pedestrian and bicycle tours, water tourism is developed here, one can go windsurfing, paintballing. In recent years many visitors are attracted here by such active sports objects as the close skiing complex Snow Arena, Druskininkai Water Park, adventure park One and others.

People who are interested in expanding their knowledge and learning something new during their vacation will not be disappointed either. There are interesting museums, galleries, memorial farmsteads and objects of historical heritage in Druskininkai as well as in neighbouring townships. Thus, people of any age or predilection will find interesting activities in Druskininkai in any season and weather!

Druskininkai offers a rich assortment of treatment and healing services. The greatest number of them could be found in the largest Druskininkai health and recreation centre Grand SPA Lietuva. In 2011, this complex was certified by European quality certificate EuropeSpa med. The health centre Ratnyčėlė is one of the largest and most modern health centres in the Baltic countries. The health centre SPA Vilnius SANA is situated in the very centre of Druskininkai, in the former sanatorium Vilnius. It offers over 370 treatment and health improvement procedures. The greatest treasure of this SPA is a mineral water spring situated next to it, with high mineralization water running straight to the centre. Sanatorium Draugystė is a perfect combination of longstanding traditions and most advanced medical as well as SPA novelties, which is a result of successful usage of EU support. In 2011, using EU structural funding villa Kolonada and its café-gallery Mūza are famous for exceptional design and perhaps the tastiest coffee in Druskininkai.

The resort treats not only the body but the soul as well – meticulously ordered town allows both eyes and mind to rest, therefore guests frequently compare Druskininkai to the beautiful Swiss resort parks. In the centre of Druskininkai between two water reservoirs – Druskonis lake and Vijūnėlė pond – a newly reconstructed Vijūnėlė park using EU funding has become one of the most attractive leisure sites. In spring, the park becomes a sea of blossoming 130 thousand narcissuses. Next to the pedestrian trail, 20 sakuras are growing. 4.5 km long bicycle roads are built.

Those wishing water attractions are offered to visit Druskininkai health and leisure centre AQUA covering 30 000 square metres. Tropical heat of +30 degrees Celcius, palms up to 9 metres tall, azure pool water, 22 baths equipped according to traditions of various countries of the world, exotic massages…

Those longing for winter and snow should visit the Snow Arena, a close mountain skiing complex, one of the biggest in Europe, with the total length of ski runs exceeding 1100 metres. The Arena with artificial snow covering is one of the newest and most modern in the world. It was evaluated favourably not only by amateur skiers and snowboarders but by professionals as well. A pleasant temperature of minus 2-3 degrees Celcius is maintained all year round. Modern Swiss chair lifts can take up to 2 thousand people to the top an hour; snow is made without any chemical supplements. The hoist CableWay connects the Snow Arena with the centre of the town. It is the only one of the type in Lithuania. Going by it allows visitors to observe all the beauties of the resort.

Druskininkai is the town of M. K. Čiurlionis. In 1878, the family of Čiurlionis settled in Druskininkai. Living in parents’ house, the artist painted a lot, created music. This house now is a museum, in summer concerts of piano music take place. Marking 100^th anniversary of the artist, a monument to M. K. Čiurlionis by sculptor V. Vildžiūnas was unveiled in the park, next to the museum a sculpture Šaulys was unveiled (sculptor V. Narutis) in 2007.

Druskininkai is the birthplace of the world famous sculptor of Jewish origin Jacques Lipchitz. The Jewish museum named after the sculptor displays his work. A redbrick Neo-Gothic Church of Saint Mary’s Scapular is standing in the centre of the resort (arch. S. Szyller). Its construction started before WWI, and it was consecrated in 1931. There are several valuable paintings in the church. A lot of discoveries await those who are interested in wooden architecture (Maironio, Kosčiuškos, St  Jokūbo streets).