Alytus County serves as the wild green gateway to southern Lithuania where the **Nemunas** River carves massive loops through ancient pine stands. This region is a paradise if you're seeking a mix of wellness and history away from the busy capital. You can explore the vast **Dzūkija** National Park where the soil is sandy and the forest floor is famous for its wild mushrooms and berries. The road leads you to **Merkine** where a sleek observation tower provides views over the river confluence that look like a painting. Nearby you find the mystical pyramid of Česukai a place known for its glass dome and quiet energy. The county is also home to Grūtas Park where a strange collection of Soviet statues rests among the trees creating a surreal walk through a dark chapter of history. **Druskininkai** sits at the edge of the county offering world class spa treatments and the year round Snow Arena for indoor skiing. You can drive through quiet villages like **Marcinkonys** to see traditional wooden houses and hear the local dainos songs. The Alytus County is the lung of the nation where the scent of resin and the sound of the flowing river create a perfect backdrop for a restorative journey.

Alytus (county) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Alytus (county)

The history of Alytus County is defined by its role as the southern defensive shield of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the 1300s Grand Duke **Gediminas** established a line of wooden fortresses on massive earthen mounds like **Punia** and **Merkinė** to intercept Teutonic raids. Following the 1410 Battle of **Grunwald** the region transitioned into a royal hunting preserve where the **Dainava** Forest supplied timber and wild game for the state. In the late 1300s Grand Duke **Vytautas** settled **Lipka Tatars** here who introduced unique cavalry tactics and built wooden mosques that still stand in **Raižiai**. By the 1830s the discovery of high concentration mineral springs transformed **Druskininkai** from a salt mining village into the premier health resort of the Russian Empire. This era of peace allowed the region to flourish as a gateway for European travelers seeking restorative nature. During the 1940s the dense bogs of **Čepkeliai** became the headquarters for the **Cross of Vytis** partisans who operated from complex underground bunker networks. This resistance movement utilized the treacherous landscape to maintain the longest running guerrilla war in Europe. Today the county preserves this legacy of strength through its protected national parks and historical monuments.

Alytus (county)

Alytus (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

History of Alytus (county)

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