National Park Dzukija

    The Dzukija National Park was established in 1991. Its aim is to protect the landscape, the old villages, historical and cultural monuments and forests of south-eastern Lithuania. The park's territory is 55 thousands hectares, 85 % of which is covered with woods.
    Among the historical attractions of the Dzukija National Park, the ancient town of Merkine and the village of Liskiava are of the greatest interest. Merkine dates back to the 14th century and is situated at the confluence of the Nemunas valley and surrounding woodland.
    Liskiava, which can be easily reached by boat or by bus from Druskininkai, is located on the bank of the Nemunas river, surrounded by numerous legends and folk tales. Most of them are connected with the Liskiava castle hill, on the top of which one can see remnants of the 14th century castle.
    There is a number of other old villages - some dating back to the 16th century - that have retained the traditional layout of forest villages and architecture of buildings besides Liskiava. The inhabitants of many of them still excel in the traditional folk crafts weaving, wood-carving and pottery.
    Pinewoods, which dominate in the Dzukija National Park, abound in mushrooms and berries and have since long ago been a source of extra income for the local people. Among the mushrooms most sought after are edible boletus and chantarelle. The latter are gathered in large quantities and even exported abroad. Wild strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and red bilberries are the most widely spread kinds of berries found on the territory of the park.
    The birdlife of the park boasts a number of rare eagles and the forests are the habitat of considerable populations of elks, deer, wild boars, foxes, wolves and hares. A number of protected plant species are found in the park, too.

Related Links
Exciting: Grutas Park.
City: Druskininkai.