About Druskininkai

Druskininkai is surrounded by the unique nature. It is situated between rivers, lakes and forests. Druskininkai is the largest modern Lithuanian resort. Here it is possible to have a rest all year round. The combination of fresh air, mild climate, pine woods, surrounding the resort, springs of mineral water, therapeutic mud will return health and joy of life.

Druskininkai is a modern international therapeutic, recreational and tourism centre. Funds of the European Union and Investment Projects of the Republic of Lithuania help it a lot to grow, prosper and become more attractive. There is a renewed therapeutic centre, entertainment square, working sport centre, camping, Druskininkai Aqua Park are in the town.

A genius M.K. Čiurlionis surrounded Druskininkai by the unique light of spirituality. He spent his childhood and the most creative summers of his youth in the resort. The sounds and colours of the local nature inspired him for his undying works known all over the world.

THERAPEUTIC FACTORS OF THE RESORT:

1. The chemical composition of Druskininkai mineral waters:

“Druskininkai” – magnesium calcium natrium chloride mineral water.

“Aušra" – calcium natrium chloride mineral water.

“Sveikata” – magnesium calcium natrium chloride mineral water.

“Sūrutis" – magnesium calcium natrium sulphate chloride mineral water.

1. Peaty mud - it is the product made during the decomposition of plant materials in marshes process, almost without any oxygen, in his physical, chemical and microbiological properties suitable for the treatment of various illnesses by applications and compresses.
2. There is mild, clean, negative ions, oxygen and the pine phytoncides saturated salubrious air in Druskininkai.

RESORT HISTORY

Druskininkai is the oldest Lithuanian resort, counting its 215 activity year.

The local citizens were the first ones who discovered the power of springs to treat wounds, skin and joints diseases. At the end of the eighteenth century P.Suraučius and others used mineral water baths for treatment purposes. After hearing about miracle mineral waters found in Druskininkai in 1789, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland Stanislovas Augustas Poniatovskis assigned his doctor to examine the mentioned mineral waters and on the 20^th of June, 1794 issued the decree and declared Druskininkai to be the health resort.

In 1795 after division of the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth, Druskininkai belonged to the Imperial Russia. In 1837 the czar Nicholas I of Russia signed the decree of Druskininkai resort. The intensive development of the town infrastructure started from 1838. Spa baths, pump rooms to try the mineral waters as well as a ferry through the river Nemunas were built. Medical Society was found in 1844. In 1844 by the initiative of the doctor K.Volfgangas the publication of the magazine "Druskininkų šaltinių undinė" was started in Gardinas.

In 1881 Druskininkai therapeutic physical culture park was opened. In 1894 spa center of 150 places started to work. It is still in Druskininkai now. Therefore, at the end of the nineteenth century Druskininkai was well known not just in Russia but other countries as well.

The First World War stopped the resort development for a long period of time. After the war, when Druskininkai became the Polish province, the resort development became active again. There were many wooden architecture buildings, which are still alive nowadays, built. Cultural life became much more active. E. Levickas recreated sun baths park with solariums and sport fields.

In 1953 when Druskininkai became a resort of national importance old buildings were renewed as well as new sanatoriums and spa centres were built. In 1957 in the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences, Balneology Sector was found, from 1967 Balneology Research Laboratory. Coherent analysis of the mineral water, peaty mud and climate are carried, new treatment methods were found all the time. The resort activity was regulated by the Resort Management Board of the Republic of Lithuania.

When Lithuania regained its independency, tourists from the Soviet Union stopped coming for their holidays there. Wellness, sport, tourism, rest and conference services under the market economy conditions were started. Sanatoriums and tourism agencies expanded the market in the European countries. The rapid expansion of the resort is especially seen in theses latter years while attracting private investments and taking a successful part in the European Union projects. "Accommodation and tourism services development in UAB "Draugystės sanatorija" (Ltd) is one of them. A successful project implementation enables UAB "Draugystės sanatorija" (Ltd), one of the oldest sanatorium in Druskininkai, to remain competitive and successfully work in a medical rehabilitation, rest and wellness sphere.