D R U S K I N I N K A I

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1 D R U S K I N I N K A I a place for your leisure VšĮ Druskininkų turizmo ir verslo informacijos centras Tel

2 table of contents F ind time for yourself, for your health, recreation, and visit Druskininkai! The oldest and currently the most popular Lithuanian balneological resort welcomes you with treatment facilities renovated in a short period, comfortable hotels, SPA complexes, Aqua Park, and modern leisure clubs. Druskininkai offers you a wide variety of health treatment services of high quality, various health care, SPA, beauty and leisure packages. Conference, weekend and cultural tourism become increasingly popular, as well. Visit Druskininkai Aqua Park and you will forget all distress. You are always welcome in hospitable Druskininkai! Historical traditions of the resort 4 p. Natural appeal of the region 6 p. Therapeutic resources 9 p. SPA 10 p. Museums and galleries 12 p. M. K. Čiurlionis and druskininkai 14 p. Folk arts 16 p. Cultural events 18 p. Cuisine of the resort 20 p. Entertainment and services 24 p. Leisure opportunities 26 p. Main events in druskininkai in p. Deputy Major of Druskininkai municipality Kristina Miškinienė

Pictures of Druskininkai city museum historical traditions of the resort H istory of Druskininkai is the history of the surroundings and mineral

Even though in written sources Druskininkai was mentioned for the first time only in the beginning of the 17th century, people had already been

In the 18th century Druskininkai was an ordinary Lithuanian village, until Stanisław August Poniatowski, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of

In 1837, when Ignacy Fonberg, professor of Vilnius University, analyzed the chemical composition of mineral water and publicised the results, the

The middle of the 19th beginning of the 20th century is considered to be the period of the resort prosperity.

here as well. In 1924-1931 the Sun, Air and Exercising Procedure treatment facility (park) of doctor E. Levicka was functioning in Druskininkai.

3 Pictures of Druskininkai city museum historical traditions of the resort H istory of Druskininkai is the history of the surroundings and mineral waters. Even though in written sources Druskininkai was mentioned for the first time only in the beginning of the 17th century, people had already been living in this area in the Stone Age. In the 18th century Druskininkai was an ordinary Lithuanian village, until Stanisław August Poniatowski, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland, issued the decree and declared Druskininkai to be the health resort on 20 June In 1837, when Ignacy Fonberg, professor of Vilnius University, analyzed the chemical composition of mineral water and publicised the results, the emperor Nicholas I of Russia approved the project of Druskininkai resort. The middle of the 19th beginning of the 20th century is considered to be the period of the resort prosperity. Druskininkai has become both a place for treatment using the salt springs, mud, kumis, and recreation - concerts, shows, dances that are arranged here as well. In the Sun, Air and Exercising Procedure treatment facility (park) of doctor E. Levicka was functioning in Druskininkai. Fires, floods, wars, occupations have swept by and left their marks. Architecture had been changing as well: new buildings would appear instead of the ruined ones, therefore there is not much left of the old town. Treatment traditions had been changing along. Only the peace surrounding Druskininkai throughout the times remained the same. Today s Druskininkai is a modern and distinctive international resort, providing high-quality wellness, recreation, and tourism services, famous for sound resort treatment traditions as well as rapidly developing tourism service infrastructure. 4

natural appeal of the region D ruskininkai is a unique

country, 130 km away from Vilnius and Kaunas, wallowing

embraced with the blue bend of the Nemunas river.

fluctuations are the recreation and tourism friendly

[The average air temperature during the summer months:

mm, sunny days per year: up to 200, prevailing southwest

Guests of the resort are attracted by Raigardas valley

River wash, rare flora species, as well as the mysterious

The national park of Dzūkija, situated close to

4 natural appeal of the region D ruskininkai is a unique corner of nature, situated in the southern part of the country, 130 km away from Vilnius and Kaunas, wallowing in greenery and waving with the curly pine forest, embraced with the blue bend of the Nemunas river. Mild continental climate as well as minor temperature fluctuations are the recreation and tourism friendly factors. [The average air temperature during the summer months: ºC, winter months: -5 ºC, annual precipitation: 600 mm, sunny days per year: up to 200, prevailing southwest wind of 2,09 m/s.]. Guests of the resort are attracted by Raigardas valley enlaced by legends, spectacular scarps of the Nemunas River wash, rare flora species, as well as the mysterious mythological rock of Švendubrė. The national park of Dzūkija, situated close to Druskininkai, distinguishes for the unique landscapes of Dainava land: massifs of continental dunes, springs and gushing coldwater rivers, their valleys, lakes splashing in the valleys, mounds, as well as hills. 6 7

therapeutic resources A s far back as in the end of the 18th century there were

about the healers Sûruèiai, ordinary peasants, who began using mineral water for

Calcium and sodium chloride waters of different mineralization, containing more of

mineral waters, used for treatment, are found in the resort.

spine, peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular, gynecological, skin, as well as

Is there anyone who hasn t heard about Druskininkai mud that works wonders?

Peaty mud treatment distinguishes for the thermal, mechanical, and chemical effect.

digestive system, joints, nerves, urogenital, and respiratory system diseases.

5 therapeutic resources A s far back as in the end of the 18th century there were rumors spreading about the miraculous waters that soften skin and heal wounds, about the healers Sûruèiai, ordinary peasants, who began using mineral water for treatment purposes. Calcium and sodium chloride waters of different mineralization, containing more of magnesium and bromine, with chemical composition similar to the well-known European mineral waters, used for treatment, are found in the resort. Mineral spring waters are efficient in healing stomach, intestine, muscles, joints, spine, peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular, gynecological, skin, as well as endocrine system diseases. Is there anyone who hasn t heard about Druskininkai mud that works wonders? The resort is rich in curative peaty mud deposits. Peaty mud treatment distinguishes for the thermal, mechanical, and chemical effect. Remedial mud is used for treatment of connective tissue and skeleton, muscles, digestive system, joints, nerves, urogenital, and respiratory system diseases. Mild climate and ionized air is another remedial factor of the resort. Because of the pine forests and dozens of water bodies surrounding Druskininkai, as well as absence of industry, the air is very clean here, and abundant negative (light) ions are the fundamental evidence of clean air. 8 9

Sanatorium Egle SPA Vilnius spa SPA Druskininkai R enovated infrastructure of Druskininkai

treatment of chronic cases and popular health-fortifying prevention packages intended for

Guests of the resort became fond of romantic weekends in Druskininkai both because of nice

aesthetical comfort, beauty and peace created by humans and nature.

stresses; they leave and then come back again because, as they say, time here, in the

Here you will also find special wellness programs of different duration and intensity,

6 Sanatorium Egle SPA Vilnius spa SPA Druskininkai R enovated infrastructure of Druskininkai resort and dedicated personnel of wellness institutions offer both traditional resort treatment of chronic cases and popular health-fortifying prevention packages intended for revitalization and recreation, targeting people of different age. Guests of the resort became fond of romantic weekends in Druskininkai both because of nice hotels, fashionable wellness and active recreation services and the extraordinary fusion of aesthetical comfort, beauty and peace created by humans and nature. People come to Druskininkai from big cities to recover, forget their everyday worries, stresses; they leave and then come back again because, as they say, time here, in the amazing corner of Dzūkija, simply stands still. Here you will also find special wellness programs of different duration and intensity, carefully prepared and supervised by doctors, for those who want to lose weight, relax from stress, and nurture their body. SPA Vilnius Hotel Druskininkai SPA East island 10 Druskininkai Aqua Park East Island 11

museums and galleries D ruskininkai has been famous for mineral springs, remarkable nature, as well as people

Čiurlionis, whose music and unique paintings are admired by the entire world, used to live and work here.

K. Čiurlionis. K. Jonynas is a painter who has been proclaiming Lithuania with his works in Germany and USA.

If you want to listen to the sough of pines and birdsongs, get an eyeful of wooden sculptures, you should

7 museums and galleries D ruskininkai has been famous for mineral springs, remarkable nature, as well as people of art since long ago. M. K. Čiurlionis, whose music and unique paintings are admired by the entire world, used to live and work here. You can get acquainted with his creative work, biography, and household if you visit the Memorial Museum of M. K. Čiurlionis. K. Jonynas is a painter who has been proclaiming Lithuania with his works in Germany and USA. You will get to know the creative work and life of this artist if you visit his gallery (Gallery of Jonynas). If you want to listen to the sough of pines and birdsongs, get an eyeful of wooden sculptures, you should visit Girios Aidas, the Education and information center, as well as the Sculpture and recreation park of the folk artist A. Česnulis. The history of the resort as well as the stories about doctors who used to live and work here, is narrated by the museum expositions of the town. If you visit the Grūtas Park, the dismantled monuments from the Soviet times - the heritage of the Lithuanian monumentalistics of several decades - will take you back to the Soviet occupation decades. Today Druskininkai is still famous by numerous talented artists. You can get acquainted with their creative work if you visit the galleries Mažoji and Sofa

M. K. Ciurlionis. 1908. National art museum of M. K. Čiurlionis m. k.

most beautiful melodies are the distant Druskininkai. M.K.

art, and especially in music, painting and literature. Today M.K.

the 20th century in Poland, Germany and Russia affected the artist s works

symbolism, secession and modernistic art. Peculiarities of M.K.

culture: Lithuanian folk songs, folklore, and to amazing beauty of Dzūkija.

Čiurlionis parents home where he was living for the most of his creative

He would come here when he was missing his dear ones, the Nemunas, Raigardas

8 M. K. Ciurlionis National art museum of M. K. Čiurlionis m. k. čiurlionis and druskininkai M. K. Čiurlionis with his wife Sofija Kymantaite National art museum of M. K. Čiurlionis I see the entire world as a symphony, people - as music and the most beautiful melodies are the distant Druskininkai. M.K. Èiurlionis ( ) is the most prominent personality of the Lithuanian art, and especially in music, painting and literature. Today M.K. Čiurlionis is known all around the world by his distinctive artistic form, the synthesis of art and music. The art manifestations that existed in the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century in Poland, Germany and Russia affected the artist s works that were created during that period, with prevailing tendencies of symbolism, secession and modernistic art. Peculiarities of M.K. Čiurlionis art should be attributed to the values of Lithuanian ethnical culture: Lithuanian folk songs, folklore, and to amazing beauty of Dzūkija. Memorial museum was founded in 1963 in the M.K. Čiurlionis parents home where he was living for the most of his creative years. He would come here when he was missing his dear ones, the Nemunas, Raigardas valley, forest, and the environment which awarded him with inspiration and self-confidence. The steps insensibly turn to the street with plenty of aged trees and old houses. I feel like stopping at one house and pondering, leaning against the gates As many as 24 wooden sculptures, the poles with fancy roof(-s), known as the Čiurlionis Path, welcome and see off those who travel from Varėna to Druskininkai. Picture Raigardas National art museum of M. K. Čiurlionis

folk arts P ondering Rūpintojėlis, the Man of Sorrows, diversity of ribbons and braids, patterns of jars - everything is passed on from

A big number of folk artists reside and work in Druskininkai region.

the drop of amber The villages of Dzūkija: Margionys, Musteika, Zervynos, Švendubrė, distinguishing for the archaic layout, old cottages

Here you can hear the people of Dzūkija singing, and see the old handicrafts weave, basketry, and wildhive beekeeping.

9 folk arts P ondering Rūpintojėlis, the Man of Sorrows, diversity of ribbons and braids, patterns of jars - everything is passed on from generation to generation the folk heritage. An art piece warmed up by human hands is delightful for an eye and soothing for the soul. A big number of folk artists reside and work in Druskininkai region. They are able to make the wood speak, to pattern the ribbon, transfer the beauty of Dzūkija onto the canvas, as well as embed ideas into the drop of amber The villages of Dzūkija: Margionys, Musteika, Zervynos, Švendubrė, distinguishing for the archaic layout, old cottages and stockyards are bulging out in the thickness of pinewoods. Here you can hear the people of Dzūkija singing, and see the old handicrafts weave, basketry, and wildhive beekeeping. The craftsmen, cherishing the traditions of black ceramics, reside in the villages of Merkinė parish that are far off the civilization uproar. The ethnographical museum of the biggest Lithuanian village Marcinkonys tells about the lifestyle, customs, traditions, and handicraft of the Dzūkija people

cultural events E verything must be beautiful in a human being: the face, the attire, the feelings, and the

Maybe this is why the guests come to Druskininkai: both to get healthier, and find spiritual peace and

The most prominent and cheerful events are the season s opening celebration as well as farewell to the

This is justified by the annual art festival Druskininkai summer with M. K.

The international theatre festival which has already become a tradition, attracts increasingly more

10 cultural events E verything must be beautiful in a human being: the face, the attire, the feelings, and the thoughts (Chekhov). Maybe this is why the guests come to Druskininkai: both to get healthier, and find spiritual peace and revitalization. During the summer season the resort becomes a capital of entertainment. The most prominent and cheerful events are the season s opening celebration as well as farewell to the summer the Summer Echoes. Druskininkai is the town of M. K. Čiurlionis. This is justified by the annual art festival Druskininkai summer with M. K. Čiurlionis, chamber music days, violin music festivals, and junior chamber music days - Druskomanija. The international theatre festival which has already become a tradition, attracts increasingly more attention as well. The Poetic Druskininkai Fall comes every year together with the falling leaves. Expositions, meetings, concerts and recreation nights are organized in the halls of the resort hotels and sanatoriums. Every year the town spruces up with the works of members of different symposiums. 19

SPA Vilnius restaurant Hotel Aqua Meduna

miserable) testifies a snappy proverb of

Cafes and restaurants of Druskininkai, as

for the needs of the most demanding guest.

11 SPA Vilnius restaurant Hotel Aqua Meduna restaurant cuisine of the resort I f it is not mushrooms and berries... (then Dzūkija girls would go around miserable) testifies a snappy proverb of Dzūkija people. Cafes and restaurants of Druskininkai, as of an international resort, will cater for the needs of the most demanding guest. Besides the traditional dishes of the European cuisine you can enjoy the goodies of Dzūkija, as well as Lithuanian meals. You are welcome to try the Italian cuisine, Soviet era dishes, as well as the traditional Armenian cuisine. Hotel Pusynas restaurant Hotel Vingis restaurant Grutas park cafe Hotel Violeta SPA Vilnius restaurant 21

entertainment and services V ery often having arrived to

but also look for other types of entertainment: services

leisure and entertainment centers of the town include

swimming pools, and the lovers of water entertainment

Park and mineral water park SPA Druskininkai.

12 entertainment and services V ery often having arrived to Druskininkai, the guests are not only seeking treatment, but also look for other types of entertainment: services are offered by the wellness centers, sanatoriums, SPAs, leisure and entertainment centers of the town include bowling, pool, body-building gyms, saunas, mineral water swimming pools, and the lovers of water entertainment and exotica are always welcome at the Druskininkai Aqua Park and mineral water park SPA Druskininkai. The night clubs of the resort mostly welcome the lovers of dance and fun. 23

leisure opportunities R ecreation in nature is a great way to

the Žilvinas, you will be able to admire the striking pine

to try sailing in the torrential rivers of Dzūkija; those eager

off-road and four-wheeler driving, or paintball.

admire the nature of the National park of Dzūkija, and those

13 leisure opportunities R ecreation in nature is a great way to spend your free time, especially when there are so many forests and ponds all around. If you take the devious bicycle routes of the Circle of Stars or the Žilvinas, you will be able to admire the striking pine forests, the panorama of Raigardas valley; canoe fans are welcome to try sailing in the torrential rivers of Dzūkija; those eager for adventures and extreme sensations are welcome to test the off-road and four-wheeler driving, or paintball. If you take a steamboat or cutter on the Nemunas river, you can admire the nature of the National park of Dzūkija, and those willing to get a better insight to the resort or Druskininkai neighborhood are welcome to use the services of the town s tourist agencies

Brunza, L. Černiauskienė, Laima Rekevičienė, M. K. Čiurlionio Memorial Museum, National Art Museum of M. K. Čiurlionis, S. Indziulienė, SPA Druskininkai, SPA Vilnius, V.

14 UDK 796.5(474.5) Dr373 main events in druskininkai in 2008 Publisher Project manager Text Photography Cover photo VšĮ Druskininkų turizmo ir verslo informacijos centras Anna Kaciun Živilė Akstinienė, Danutė Kašėtaitė A. Balke, Sanatorium Draugyste, Cultural Centre of Druskininkai, Druskininkai City Museum, Druskininkai Theatre Festival archive, Druskininkai Aqua Park, East Island, Sanatorium Egle, Grutas Park, L. Brunza, L. Černiauskienė, Laima Rekevičienė, M. K. Čiurlionio Memorial Museum, National Art Museum of M. K. Čiurlionis, S. Indziulienė, SPA Druskininkai, SPA Vilnius, V. Skrabulis, Hotel Druskininkai, Hotel Aqua Meduna, Hotel Pušynas, Hotel Violeta, Druskininkai Tourism and Business Information Centre, SPA Vilnius Designed and printed by UAB Arx Baltica, Veiverių g. 142b, Kaunas The publication is supported by Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania and Lithuanian Business support Agency copies. All copyrights reserved. Date Name of event 2.16 Event for commemoration of the Independence Day of Lithuania 2.03 Užgavėnės, Shrove Tuesday, a religious winter-end festival 3.11 Event for the day of restoration of the Lithuanian independence 3.19 Folk music festival - competition 3.24 Easter Festival evening of nominations The Golden Easter Eggs 4.25 Event for Commemoration of the International Theatre Day 5.02 Concert for the Mother s Day 05.30/31 Druskininkai resort festival 6.23 Joninės, Midsummer festival 07.07/13 Family traditions, the 15th republican family festival camp 7.06 Concert for the Lithuanian State Day I build Lithuania from small pieces 8.12 The 16th republican folklore festival of Dainava area 8.25 Summer echoes, farewell to summer 07.21/26 En plein air of artists Metamorphosis of Salt 09.22/27 Week of cultural tourism. Festival of poetry and lyrics The Autumn Blossom, event for commemoration of the Senior s Day Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 12.24/31 Christmas events ISBN

Druskininkai WELLNESS SPRINGS RESORT

Druskininkai WELLNESS SPRINGS RESORT Culture Guide The museum M. K. Čiurlionis was founded in 1963 in the home of the artist and parents, and in which he lived sporadically from 1890 to 1910. Authentic