Introducing The Southwest
Southwestern Lithuania is a rural pocket few venture into bar Poland-bound travellers who drive through Lazdijai, 43km northwest of Druskininkai, or rattle by train through Šeštokai, 18km north of Lazdijai, en route to Suwałki (Poland).
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The main approach to the Kalvarija-Suwałki road border crossing with Poland is through Marijampolė (population 69, 900), the largest southwestern town, with an attractive 1920s train-station building, a neobaroque twin-towered basilica (1824) and a small Old Town. Six bridges cross the Šešupė River, dividing old town from new, and an Ethnographic Museum (343-93 042; Vytauto gatvė 31; adult/child 2/1Lt; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun) reflects daily southwestern life a couple of centuries ago. The tourist office(343-51 109; jotva@mari.omnitel.net; Kudirkos gatvė 41) and municipality website (www.marijampole.lt) are handy info sources.
Pretty Alytus, in a 16km loop of the Nemunas River 72km southeast, is the capital of the southern ethnographic Dzūkija region. Cycling paths are plentiful and the town is a springboard for forays into the Žuvintas Nature Reserve, an important breeding ground for birds. Alytus tourist office(315-52 010; www.alytus.lt; Rotušės aikšte 14a) has information on bird-watching, boats and bicycles.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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