Dzukija National Park
Čepkeliai-Dzūkija Park, which consists of Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve and Dzūkija National Park and where the natural ecosystems of the Dainava Forest are protected, is one of the thirteen European PAN parks. Traveling through Dzūkija National Park (58519 ha), wherever you look, there are pines everywhere – on the tops of dunes and on the slopes of river valleys, undulating plains, and swamps. However, beneath this monotonous cape of the hills hides a very peculiar and rich natural world – floodplain and continental meadows, upland and lowland marshes, sand dunes and fast-flowing rivers have become habitats of many rare plants and animals.
The territory of the National Park is also characterized by a rich cultural heritage – Dzūkija villages, which have retained the features of traditional architecture, a unique way of life of the local population. More information: dzukijosparkas.lt
Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve
Čepkeliai is a unique wetland complex, little affected by human activity, characterized by an exceptional diversity of habitats and species, an abundance of protected plant and animal species. The reserve is located near Marcinkonys village.
Zervynos village
An ethnographic street village near Marcinkoniai, in the Dzūkijos National Park by the Ūla River. It is an architectural monument of republican significance, with a total of 48 homesteads, 8 of which have been declared ethnographic.
River Ūla „eye“
Spring located on the left bank of the river Ūla, between the villages of Mančiagirė and Žūrių. 2000 the spring has been declared a hydrogeological natural monument.
Marcinkonys Ethnographic Museum
The Dzūkija National Park Ethnographic Museum is located in a house built in 1905. The exposition includes household items and furniture, handicrafts and old fabrics. Here you can get acquainted with the Dzūkija people way of life, customs, traditions, and crafts.
Merkinė
It has a richer history than many small and even medium-sized cities. An important strategic point of the defense system of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, mentioned in the Novgorod chronicle, in the chronicles of the German Order. Merkinė Castle stood at the confluence of the Nemunas and Merkys. devastated by the Crusaders. The city in 2009 celebrated its 650th anniversary.
Merkinė Museum of ethnography and genocide
The museum exhibits many finds from the Stone Age campsites, old liturgical utensils of the Merkinė church, ornamented tiles, and stone projectiles. An exposition about the life of Jews in Merkinė before the war was set up.
Puvočiai observation tower
The tower has an observation deck – 30m. height. The tower rises above the forests, so from the observation deck it opens far and you can see the green forest sea around. Worth the climb and look around.
Merkinės observation tower
The location of the tower is the high bank of the Nemunas, overgrown with a typical Dzūkija forest – pine forest. The observation decks are located at a height of 15 and 25 m, they are irregular in shape and resemble a stylized pine crown. This “trail”, leading the visitor up and twisting among the trees, opens up new views of the forest until it finally leads to the observation decks, which offer a wonderful view of the Dzūkija National Park. From the tower, the visitor can also admire the view of Merkinė town. Although most of it is hidden by the forest, the 17th century rises above it. architectural monument – Merkinė St. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the peak of the regional museum, and behind them you can see the meadows of the Merkys Valley in the distance.
Musteika village
Street ancient village in Dzūkija National Park, 12 km south of Marcinkoniai and 4 km east of Kabeliai. The village is recognized as an architectural monument. In the village, there is a reserve with wetlands.
Dubininkas village
A small ethnographic street village in Dzūkija National Park, 8 km northwest of Marcinkoniai, by the Merkio river tributary Skroblus.
Cheesemaker in Kabeliai Village
Cheese house – cheese is squeezed from sheep’s and cow’s milk, and yogurts are made. Since Audrius Jakubauskas studied French recipes, the cheeses are more French-style – fermented, fresh or matured. These exceptional cheeses can be purchased at Audrius Farm.