The name comes from the Lithuanian word druska which means salt. There are 12 mineral springs and their water is used for balnaeological procedures and drinking. Spa mud baths, applications and tampons are prepared from the peat extracted at Didžiasalis bog in the neighbouring district. The resort climate is another positive health factor, it is characterized by a high level of air ionization (-0.63), a gentle and warm microclimate (average low temperature in winter about -6°C, average high temperature in summer about +20°C, relative humidity 70%, prevailing SW winds with an average speed of 2 m/s). A special feature of the resort is its air enriched with phytoncides of surrounding vast pine forests that have a significant impact on a successful course of treatment. There are 8 spa/rehabilitation centres and 2 spa centres within the Druskininkai Aquapark complex

The city of Druskininkai is situated by the Nemunas River in the southern part of Lithuania. It has a population of 14 172.  Today’s Druskininkai is a modern and distinctive international resort, providing high-quality health, tourism, recreation services and ensuring a high quality of life, offering all the benefits of a carefree and safe vacation. It is the oldest and largest resort in Lithuania, located in the south of the country, near 120 km from Vilnius and Kaunas and just 7 km from the border of Belarus. The resort boasts an incredibly rich nature and mild climate. City is surrounded by pine forests, majestic Nemunas River, lakes, playful Ratnyčios creek. It is full of squares and parks, Druskonis Lake is located in the centre of Druskininkai. The resort is rich with variety of minerals waters, their chemical composition is similar to the well-known European mineral waters and therapeutic peat mud deposits. Because of pine forests and various bodies of water, air ionization here is very high which the is the key feature of fresh and clean air.

In 2003 magazine “Newsweek” published the top ten resorts, which are worth to go. Druskininkai was mentioned as the best European balneology resort. On May 30, 2008 Druskininkai was awarded with the Flag of Honour of the Council of Europe.

History of Druskininkai

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 was conquered by the Lithuanians. A small castle was built in the area as a part of the defense system against the Teutonic Order. In 1308 the castle was conquered by the Teutonic Knights and destroyed, causing a depopulation of the area.

The spa became popular in many parts of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1862 the Warsaw – Saint Petersburg Railway was opened and Druskininkai’s railway station was placed only 19 kilometres (12 miles) from the city. By the beginning of the 20th century the Druskininkai spa became one of the most popular resorts in the area, with tourists and convalescents coming from all over the world. It also became a place of summer residence for the middle class of Vilnius, Warsaw and Moscow.

After World War I the town became part of Poland. Its popularity was increased by the patronage of Józef Piłsudski, who spent most of his summer holidays there and promoted the development of the area. Soon most of the resort was bought up by the state-owned Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego and the construction of luxurious villas and pensions started. In 1934 a railway link with the Porzecze train station was opened and the town became more accessible to the general public. It was a gmina center in Grodno powiat of Białystok Voivodeship.

After Poland was invaded in September 1939, the town was briefly incorporated into the Belarusian SSR as raion center in Belostok Oblast. However, in 7 September 1940, Stalin transferred Druskininkai to Lithuania which in turn was annexed in August of the following year and incorporated into the Soviet Union. It was occupied by Nazi Germany in 23 June 1941 and was part of Bezirk Bialystok. It was occupied again by Red Army in 14 July 1944 and passed to Lithuanian SSR. In 1951, Druskininkai began to grow rapidly again and several huge sanatoriums and spa hospitals were opened. The city became a famous resort, attracting around 400,000 visitors per year from all over the Soviet Union.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union was followed by economic difficulties faced by Lithuania and some of its resorts, due to the lack of many of their former tourists. In 2001 unemployment reached 29% in Druskininkai. Recently Druskininkai began a revival. Sanatoriums, spas and the city’s infrastructure have been renovated by both the local government and privately owned businesses.

Despite damage inflicted during World War I, the city features houses and villas reflecting all periods of its development – Russian, Polish and Lithuanian.

The first water park in Lithuania was opened in Druskininkai on 26 December 2006.

A new 18-hole Wolf golf course satisfying all international standards is opening in summer 2011 some 19 km (12 mi) to the northwest of Druskininkai near Leipalingis.

The Snow Arena (construction completed in August 2011) is one of the biggest indoor skiing slopes in Europe, with a year-round indoor slope length of 460 metres, width up to 63 metres, and a height difference of 65.65 metres. In addition there is a seasonal outdoor route of 640 metres. In alpine ski complex Snow Arena works school of skiing and snowboarding DruSkiSchool. (from Wikipedia)