Druskininkai (
Russian Друскининкай,
pronounced&_160;[ˈdruskininkɐi]&_160; (
listen);
Polish Druskieniki) is a
spa town on the
Neman River in southern
Lithuania, close to the borders of
Belarus and
Poland. The city of Druskininkai has a population of 18,233 (2001
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 the present-day Druskininkai was inhabited by local Yotvingian tribes in the early Middle Ages. In the 13th century the area was conquered by Lithuanians. A small castle was built in the area as a part of the defence system against the Teutonic Order. The castle was conquered by Teutonic Knights and destroyed in 1308 after which the area was soon depopulated.
The first mention of the present-day Druskininkai dates back to 1636. The name comes from Lithuanian root druska meaning salt which suggests that the local population collected the precious mineral. In the late 18th century it was discovered that minerals found in the waters of Druskininkai area are healthy and their usage in medical treatment of asthma started. In the early 19th century Ignacy Fonberger, the University of Vilnius professor, focused on the analysis of the chemical composition of Druskininkai waters and discovered 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 what is now Vilnius.
