Near the town of Druskininkai in southern Lithuania is the dzūkija national Park, founded in 1991. It was created to preserve the natural landscape, pine forests and villages of the region. The area of the national Park is approximately 550 sq km along the banks of the Nemunas river.

Dzūkija national Park is the largest protected area in Lithuania. This is a wonderful place dry forests, inland dunes, remarkably crystal clear rivers in deep valleys. The Park is blessed with many springs, the valley of the Nemunas small lakes, rich forests, which cover almost the entire territory of the Park (91%). But a lasting impression on the visitors produced a unique and extraordinary villages of the upland zukow – Magenis, Sarvinoz, Mustaca, Jury. Here you can admire the many rivers from the little spring to the extensive rivers of Lithuania. A trip here can be enjoyed at all times of the year. In the summer, for example, a trip may be arranged on the bikes and kayaks, and in the autumn in the Park – lots of mushroom. And no one will hear complaints about the rain, as it is almost immediately absorbed into the sandy ground, and mushrooms for any beneficial rain.

Valley of Nemunas, Uly, Merkys, Scrobes, Piles, around rivers of Mustaka and Povilonis, memorable massifs of continental dunes dynamische boron, erosive geomorphology ensembles of Licchavis, Usakos, Straus and Patristic, swamps Diczbalis, Enescu, Bakanowsky and Delino, dry forests, characteristic of dzūkija, rare breeds of plants and animals are the main values that attracts longing for nature travelers.

Surprisingly the winding river Scrabulous – from the source, which is called the Babi spring vegetable garden, to the Merkys, just 17 miles – always wet and cold. One of the most beautiful Lithuanian rivers is the river Ula, which runs transversely to the strips of the continental dunes and flowing through a small valley among expressive crumbling cliffs. In its valley is a unique spring-fed lake ULOs ACIS. And the river is a Pile of many popular loops and a broad floodplain valley.

Interesting to visitors will be relics of the ancient bee-keeping, which represents a hollow pine, called "the hives". They accomplished elongated vertical passages and space for bees. Heritage announced 21 pine hollow.

At the confluence of the Nemunas and Merkys, once stood the castle Markines. About his greatness tell city gate pillars, which are currently far enough away from the shrunken town.

The town of Licchavis popular towering remnants of a stone tower. Next to them there are the ensemble of Holy Trinity Church and the Dominican monastery, built in the XVIII century. 7 altars in the Rococo style are some of the most beautiful altars in Lithuania.

However, the cultural villages of the upland and prinemansky of Zukov are the most valuable. 4 of them – Linieres, Dubinskas, Mustaca and Sarvinoz – listed buildings. Also interesting village of Murgasevo, Guru, Marginy, Pomocu and other popular ensembles, distinctive traditions, theatre. In the village Wanani unusual way decomposed boulders. This indicates that there was once an astronomical Observatory.

The Park contains 10 sites and about 40 monuments of art (mostly in the churches of markine, Marcinkonys, Lichchavi and their altars). Restored guerrilla dugouts in the villages Verdurous and Cuscuna, the remains of sanctuaries Kazimiraitis near the village of Scrabulous, the hill of crosses at marcine reminiscent of post-war struggle.

Master black ceramic glorify neighborhood markine. And in the villages, according to tradition, people are engaged in weaving, braiding, knitting. In markine you will be able to visit the local Museum, and in Marcinkonys –ethnographic Museum. There are also in the Museum Cheapcall. In Supertonic is a Museum-estate writer Also of Mikolaitis of your right to appoint.

The territory of dzūkija Park is divided into 10 districts. The Park employs about 200 people. The Park is part of Association of Baltic national parks and the Federation of European national parks.