"Druskininkai- Perfect Place For Every Season" Top 5 Page for this destination Druskininkai by remigia

Druskininkai Travel Guide: 126 reviews and 175 photos

Orthodox church-the oldest boilding of the town

Druskininkai can be called the pearl of Dzukija Region. Not only because of beautiful surrounding pine woods, lakes and rivers, but also because of healling waters and fresh air.
Myself, I would call it Nr. 1 resort of Lithuania.
Story tells, that in old times , when the salt was a luxury, local people found a way to get it from spring water. They were called ''druskininkai" which means "salt makers". "Druska" means salt in Lithuanian. But perhaps, it's just a legend because local waters are salty but not enough to produce salt.
In fact, it is the first Lithuanian health resort and it's history starts in XVIII century. Of course, people lived here before, starting from Stone Ages. But the real history of the town started in Middle Ages during wars with Teutonic Knights- one of the most important border castles stood just few myles from Druskininkai.
Ever since the first days there were talks of mysterious healling springs. Local people noticed that after taking a bath in those springs the wounds would heal much faster. The last king of Lithuania and Poland, Stanislav August Poniatovski visited the place in 1790's and ordered to do all the analysis of the water. After that Druskininkai got an official name of "healling place". But the real story began in 1830's when the town became a official health resort of Russian Empire. At the beginning of the XX century it became famous all over the Europe. This century for the resort was chain of up and down period. But the very first years of XXI century brought for Druskininkai new hope and at the moment it almost regained the former glory and is one of the fastest developing towns in Lithuania.

Why Druskininkai is so perfect place for every season? Because it's the place you don't have "wait for weather" as we say. No matter, snow, rain, sun, wind- you will always find what to do. If you came here for spa and healling procedures, just relax and let professionals take care of you. If you came with your kids-visit Aquapark or take a boat trip in the Nemunas. For lovers of active sports - cycling or walking trips in Raigardas Valley either some water sport activities.

Traces of M.K. Ciurlionis

"Sagittarius" after M.K.Ciurlionis

When talking of Druskininkai one cannot miss the name Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis. The main collection of the most famous Lithuanian painter and composer is in Kaunas. But you can find lots of signs of this man in Druskininkai. Even one of the latest statues in town is made after M.K. Ciurlionis drawing from "Zodiac".
The artist was born in 1875 in Varena, but when he was 3 years old his family moved to Druskininkai. At the age of 14 Ciurlionis left home and entered M.Oginskis manor orchestra school in Plunge. Later with the help of M. Oginskis the artist studied in Warsaw where his career as a composer started. At this period of his life painting is just a hobby. But by 1903 it became more serious. Ciurlionis still works on music -one of his best symphony "Jura"("The Sea") was created in 1903-1907. But it's his painting and social activities he puts first. Spending time in Warsaw, st. Petersburg, Vilnius, travelling in Caucasus and Europe, M.K. Ciurlionis becames very active member of different Lithuanian organisations. He was one of the creator of first Lithuanian Union of Arts and helped a lot with first ever Exhibition of Lithuanian Art in 1907. Around this time he met young writer Sofija Kymantaite -it was her that tought him Lithuanian.....Yeah, funny, but untill then Ciurlionis , being Lithuanian patriot, spoke very poor Lithuanian. Mikalojus an Sofija letters might be considered as rather fine piece of literature , too. In 1909 couple get married and lived both in Plunge and Druskininkai. Unfortunally, a year later Ciurlionis expierenced nervous breakdown and is placed in snatory for mentally-ill near Warsaw, where he died in 1911.
Although the artist has spent in Druskininkai only some part of his life, it must be place which influenced him most. Raigardas Valley , the Nemunas, country houses, Lithuanian crosses and chapel-pillars, traditional ornaments, mysterious scenes from granny's tales -everything can be found in Ciurlionis drawings.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Perfect place for relax
Cons:Maybe too boring for night-life lovers....and mosquitos very active during summer

Last visit to Druskininkai: Mar 2007
Intro Updated Sep 3, 2007
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Reviews (3)

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Comments (4)

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ronaldpk Sep 18, 2011 at 4:01 AM

How are you Remigia? Some of my cousins spend their weekends in Druskininkai as it's not far from my hometown. I would also like to benefit from its healing waters :)
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elpariente Apr 14, 2011 at 1:08 AM

Good photos and interesting tips !!!!
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yumyum Jan 11, 2008 at 12:21 AM

Sculptures, beautiful churches and relaxation - all that sounds great!
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Dester Oct 23, 2007 at 11:41 AM

What a beautiful church, Remi looks like a nice place to meditate..