Varėna District Municipality

• Ethnocultural activities and several folk crafts are practised in Marcinkonys.
• The “Nuog dravės lig dravės” walking trail recalls the history of forest beekeeping and leads to tree hollows where buzzing bees may still be found.
• Educational activities at the Ethnographic Farm in Marcinkonys include candle-making and weaving straw gardens.
• The “Bobos daržas” spring is among the Skroblus springs designated as hydrogeological natural monuments.

Folk crafts practised in Marcinkonys include weaving, basketry using willow rods, roots and bast, candle-making, and decorating Easter eggs. This range spans textile and woven work as well as activities involving wax and seasonal customs. It gives the village a distinct cultural identity without any one craft having to represent it on its own.

At the Ethnographic Farm, children, students and adults learn how beeswax candles are made and make candles themselves. Another activity is for students in grades 5 to 12: they learn about the tradition and materials used to weave straw gardens, then make a small straw garden. The two activities therefore differ both in subject and in the stated target audience. If you are planning to take part, check the arrangements for visits in advance.

The “Nuog dravės lig dravės” walking trail follows paths that recall the history of forest beekeeping. Its theme is not only walking, but also the former use of the forest. The route leads to tree hollows where buzzing bees may still be found.

The “Bobos daržas” spring also offers a connection with nature. It is one of the Skroblus springs designated as a hydrogeological natural monument. Together with forest beekeeping, it offers a glimpse of different aspects of the landscape: water and geological heritage, as well as a traditional forest activity.

As a broader travel destination, Alytus County complements the local cultural and nature themes with other landscapes and trails. The Nemunas flows through Alytus County, and Lake Žuvintas covers 970 hectares. At Punios šilas, a 19-kilometre loop of the Nemunas encircles the forest. These details describe Alytus County and should not be conflated with the places and features of Varėna District Municipality.

For walks, there is a marked, 9-kilometre trail in the Vidzgiris botanical reserve. A 52-kilometre Way of St James also runs through the Alytus area via Punia; one of its stops is Punia’s St James’ Church. The two routes differ considerably in length and theme. Trail conditions and wayfinding may change, so check them before setting out.

Alytus offers another landmark: the White Rose Bridge, Lithuania’s tallest pedestrian and cycling bridge. It connects the cycle paths on both banks of the Nemunas. Check current access conditions before visiting. Visitors may freely enter the Punios šilo landscape reserve. This does not apply to the separately restricted nature reserve zone.

Alytus County also has cultural activities to offer. At Pivašiūnų amatų centras, visitors can make butter themselves and taste it with the Dzūkija pastry “buikelė”. They can also prepare and sample various Dzūkija baked goods, including potato bandos, buckwheat babkas, cakes, small pastries and kūčiukai. The Dapiškis Manor in Dapkiškiai offers educational activities for children and guided tours for adults. Check the arrangements before your trip.

The answers can help you organise the topics that matter to you before comparing hotels. The attractions across Alytus County offer additional cultural, landscape and trail themes, but should be treated as a separate guide to the county.

More places in Varėna District Municipality: Pamusiai, Viršurodukis, Genionys, Vilkiautinis, Marcinkonių seniūnija, Merkinė, Roduka and Kibyšiai.

Which crafts are practised in Marcinkonys?

They include weaving, basketry using willow rods, roots and bast, candle-making and decorating Easter eggs.

What can you experience on the “Nuog dravės lig dravės” walking trail?

The trail recalls the history of forest beekeeping and leads to tree hollows where buzzing bees may still be found.

Who are the candle-making and straw-garden activities at the Ethnographic Farm for?

Candle-making is for children, students and adults. The straw-garden activity is for students in grades 5 to 12.

What trail lengths are mentioned in Alytus County?

The marked walking trail in the Vidzgiris botanical reserve is 9 kilometres long; the Way of St James in the Alytus area is 52 kilometres long and passes through Punia.

For a broader travel overview: Alytus County.