Druskininkai

City

Flag

Coat of arms

Druskininkai

Location of Druskininkai

Coordinates: 54°1′N 23°58′E / 54.017°N 23.967°ECoordinates: 54°1′N 23°58′E / 54.017°N 23.967°E

Lithuania

Druskininkai municipality

Capital of

Druskininkai municipality

First mentioned

1596

Granted city rights

1893

Population (2013)

• Total

14,172

Time zone

EET (UTC+2)

• Summer (DST)

EEST (UTC+3)

Druskininkai ([ˈd̪rʊs̪ʲkʲɪn̪ʲɪŋkɐɪ], Polish: Druskieniki, Belarusian: Друскенiкi) is a spa town on the Nemunas River in southern Lithuania, close to the borders of Belarus and Poland. The city of Druskininkai has a population of 23136 (2015 Census) and dates back as a spa resort to the 19th century.

The town is located at the Ratnyčia River estuary to the Nemunas River and is surrounded by a natural forest reserve. The town is situated in a picturesque landscape with rivers, lakes, hills and forests.

According to some sources the site of present-day Druskininkai was inhabited by local Yotvingian tribes in the early Middle Ages. In the 13th century the area became a part of the expanding Duchy of Lithuania. A small castle was built in the area as a part of the defence system against the Teutonic Order. In 1308 the castle was conquered by the Teutonic Knights and destroyed, causing a depopulation of the area.

The first written mention of Druskininkai dates back to 1636. The name of the town suggests that the local population collected precious minerals. In the late 18th century it was believed that minerals found in the waters of Druskininkai area produced health benefits and their usage in the medical treatment of asthma and other ailments began. In the early 19th century Ignacy Fonberger, a professor at the University of Vilnius, analyzed the chemical composition of Druskininkai's waters and showed that they contain large amounts of Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Iodine, Bromine, Iron and Magnesium. He also promoted the town as a holiday resort for the population of Vilnius.

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Wikipedia