RETRO Druskininkai guided tours
“Retro” means “back” in Latin. The leitmotif of my excursions is “back to the past”: acquaintance with the development of the resort with the help of old photographs and drawings, historical events from the middle of the 17th century to the present day, preserved natural resources and cultural heritage and the life style of famous people who have lived and rested here. During thematic tours I introduce in more detail some important aspect of Druskininkai city.
Excursions offered (in English German, French)
Private tours are available at agreed time.
• Retro Druskininkai – back to the past
Sightseeing tour of the old town of Druskininkai: the history development of the mineral town from the 17th century, the unique wooden architecture, the cultural heritage of the once rich Jewish community and the traces of the unique artist M. K. Čiurlionis.
• Druskininkai, a city of health sources
Walking around the city we will get acquainted with the history of the resort’s development, ancient spas, sanatoriums, mineral waters and discover other natural resources that help maintain and restore our health. Visiting the Karolis Dineika Wellness Park we will hear the history of its establishment and get ideas for a healthy lifestyle.
• Jewish cultural heritage in Druskininkai
Following in the footsteps of the history and culture of the city’s Jewish community, we will find out where the synagogue stood, what world-famous sculptor was born and raised in Druskininkai, which buildings belonged to local wealthy Jews, what fate befell them in the middle of the 20th century and where the old Jewish tombs are.
• Wooden architecture of Druskininkai
The wooden architectural heritage of Druskininkai is characterized by late 19th- and early 20th-century and features resort architecture and distinctive ethnic construction traditions beeing prevalent in Europe. Two-thirds of the wooden buildings were destroyed during the Soviet era, we will only see them in the photos; however, excellent villas and a wooden church built in 1865 have survived in the town.
• Druskininkai through the eyes of M. K. Čiurlionis
Druskininkai is the city of great Lithuanian musician and painter M. K. Čiurlionis, where he grew up, sought inspiration and created in 1878-1910. We will find out what the resort was like at that time, visit the M. K. Čiurlionis Memorial Museum and get acquainted with the symbolist work of the artist through reproductions of paintings that have spread throughout the city.
• Old Druskininkai city cemetery (on foot only)
Silent witnesses to the history of the city since 1858 in the old cemetery near Lake Druskonis: graves of famous personalities who contributed to the development of the resort and found the last resting place among the emitted pines of South Lithuania. In the old cemetery complex we will find both, a Neo-Gothic style Catholic chapel, as well as the recently rebuilt St. Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church.
• City of Love Druskininkai
A walk along the paths of love legends in Druskininkai, the St. Valentine’s relics in the Church of the Virgin Mary Scapular, romantic love stories and spicy resort novels. A boat trip up the Nemunas river will introduce you to the Island of Love, where passions once flourished.
