Photos

Druskininkai - Orthodox church built in 1865 yare.

The town of Druskininkai is located in the terrace of the Nemunas river and at the mouth of Ratnycia rivulet. Architectural and natural environment of Druskinkai is formed by buildings of recreative architecture (sanatoria), squares, parks, small lakes, picturesque valleys of Nemunas and Ratnycia, the village of Druskininkai, which was first mentioned in 1635 and in 1765 it was already called Druskininkai. Healing properties of Druskininkai mineral water springs were observed in early 18th century, while in 1794 the decree of Stanislovas Augustas Poniatovskis proclaimed Druskininkai a health resort. In 1837 a plan of resort development was approved. In late 19th century and in early 20th century numerous wooden villas ans small sanatoria were built. The architecture of these buildings share the characteristic features of the European recreative architecture of that time. In the period of 1920 - 1939 Druskininkai was occupied by Poland, whole from October 1939 to August 1940 it belonged to Byelorussia. Druskininkai is a balneological, mud- and climate-therapy health resort. Heart and digestion diseases, rheumatics, nervous diseases, etc. are treated in Druskininkai. Patients drink mineral water, undergo mineral water-bath treatment, water is used for inhalations. Surroundings of Druskininkai are remarkably nice and diverse. The valley of Raigardas is a very impressive site. Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, an outstanding Lithuanian composer, painter and cultural worker, lived in Druskininkai from 1878 to 1889, and used to stay there for holidays to 1910.M.K. Ciurlionis memorial museum has been restored. In 1975 Ciurlionis' square with an artist's monument in it was formed. In 1953 Druskininkai received a status of the town.