Druskininkai

Contents:

1. Introduction…………………..3

2. The aim of Project Work………………4

3. The Project Work “Druskininkai”………….5

a) Geography, Climate…………….5

b) Time………………….5

c) Currency, Language, Religion…………5

d) History…………………6

e) City Today………………..7

f) Nature…………………..7

g) Environs; Raigardas Valley………….8

h) Liskiava…………………9

I) Forest Company………………9

j) Aims And Objectives……………10

k) Health Resort in Lithuania…………..10

4. Conclusions…………………10

Introduction:

Druskininkai is a Lithuanian health resort, one of the largest in Lithuania, which was created primarily because of the gushing mineral springs in the area. King Stanislav Augustus issued a decree in 1794 declaring Druskininkai a curing centre. The town hhowever became a true resort in 1837 and is well known for its spas. No matter which road you take, the town unexpectedly emerges from the woods. Its mineral springs, mud baths, modern medical facilities, beaches along Nemunas River attract thousands of people every year. The architecture of the town is shaped by nature itself surrounded by pine forests and picturesque valleys of the Nemunas River, its tributary the Ratnyčia River and the Lake Druskonis right in the centre of ttown.The area is drowned in an aromatic sea of fir trees. The pine forests, sand and various bodies of water create a unique microclimate in which the air is fragrant and refreshing. The town has many walks, gardens and sculptures. DDruskininkai is the birthplace of the outstanding artist and composer M.K.Ciurlionis. There is a museum dedicated to his work and also a memorial in the town park. The town is situated in southern Lithuania, on the right bank of the Nemunas River, 135 km from Vilnius.

The Aim of the Project Work

In Lithuania there are a lot of towns and places where I would like to live. The best town I think it is Kaunas or Vilnius. But also I wanted to live in Druskininkai. Situated in southern Lithuania on the right bank of the Nemunas river, the resort of Druskininkai has been shaped by nature itself. The surrounding pine forests, the picturesque valleys of the Nemunas and its tributary tthe Ratnyčia river, lake Druskonis located right in the centre of town, and a small lake called Mergelės Akys (or maiden’s eyes) in a nearby forest, all contribute to what makes the town special. Druskininkai houses a memorial museum to painter and composer M. K. Čiurlionis (1875-1911), who once lived there.

I think it is very nice, good and comfortable place to live for everybody.

The Place I Would Like To Live

GEOGRAPHY

Lithuania is situated on the eastern coast of tthe Baltic sea and borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia. The bigger part of Lithuania is plane, but the east side of the country is quite hilly. The highest point is Juozapinė hill (294 m). Druskininkai is located in south Lithuania, 130 km away from Vilnius.

CLIMATE

Lithuanian climate is maritime/continental. The highest temperature in July is +30.1°C and the lowest temperature in January is -22.7°C. The mean monthly precipitation is 53.8 mm.

TIME

Lithuanian time is a standard European one (+1 GTM) (the same as in Poland, 1 hour behind Latvian time and 2 hours behind Russian time). CURRENCY

Lithuanian national currency is litas (Lt). A smaller currency unit is cent (cnt.). 100 cnt. = 1 Lt. 1 EUR = 3,4528 Lt.

LANGUAGE

Lithuanian language is an official State language. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages and is akin to Latvian language. There four different dialects used in Lithuania, that is dialects of Aukštaičiai, Žemaičiai, Dzūkai and Suvalkiečiai. Residents of Druskininkai speak in the dialect of Dzūkai. A lot of people here know English, German or Russian languages besides their native Lithuanian one.

RELIGION

The majority of population are Roman Catholics, but tthere are also representatives of other religious denominations: Protestants, Evangelic Lutherans, Baptists, Russian Orthodox, etc. There are the following churches in Druskininkai: Šv. Mergelės Marijos škaplierinės Catholic church and Orthodox church.

HISTORY

The first records of Druskininkai were made in 1765 when it was described as a village with 6 families. Druskininkai name means that it’s residents are living at salty mineral springs and salt production is their main occupation. Those mineral springs are treating people from time immemorial. Druskininkai city was announced a treatment locality by a special decree of the king already in 1794. Since that day the history of Druskininkai health resort has begun. It was actually started by the local dweller Pranas Sūrutis who lived in 18th century and transformed mineral water into the constant treatment business. All the patients who arrived to Druskininkai addressed to this man „the physician“. He treated them by soaking in the barrels full of mineral water. When the father had died, his son Benediktas continued a similar „treatment“. Such a business went on for about 50 years.

According to research data, czar Nikolaj I approved the project of health resort founding on 31 December, 1837 at proposal of tthe governor of Gardin Dopolmejer. In 1838 there was a spa with 14 bathes opened and run by the doctor L.?emb?ickij. During the first existence year of the health resort 329 patients received treatment there.

In 1850 Druskininkai were expanded by summer theatre, banquet and meeting hall with walking gallery, 30 place seasonal hospital. In 1851 the post office was opened, in 1868 the telegraph and the ferry over Nemunas river began to operate. In 1862 the Petersburg-Warsaw railway was finished and opened.

In the beginning of XX century Druskininkai health resort already had the most necessary treatment establishments and service system. Scientists made a full analysis of mineral water springs and proved their extraordinary value. The number of holidaymakers started to grow rapidly. In 1913 even 9.3 % of all Russian holidaymakers thronged to Druskininkai. This health resort started to attract famous people, such as composer St. Moniu?ka, writer T.Zanas and others. M.K.Čiurlionis was a frequent guest here as his parents lived in this city.

In 1914 when World War I had begun, intense battles were going on in Druskininkai. Half of the city was turned into ashes and mineral water springs were exhausted. On 9

October, 1920 the health resort passed into disposal of the Poles after they had occupied the Vilnius land. The health resort season was opened again only in 1923. In September, 1939 Russian military forces entered Druskininkai and Soviet power was established. Private boarding houses were reorganised to sanatoriums. Spa centres were left as they were. On 23 June, 1941 the Germans invaded Druskininkai. All treatment establishments were assigned only for the service of German army soldiers. On 14 July, 1944 DDruskininkai were occupied by the ...