The main purpose of the quay was to protect the town from flooding, but eventually it became Birštonas' favourite promenade or pedestrian area. The quay was named after the first mayor of the town. From the Birštonas quay, you can take a boat along the beautiful banks of the Nemunas River to the mouth of the Verkne River or to the Verkne castle mound. Boats from the Kaunas Lagoon also dock here. During the walk you will see the legendary sanatorium "Tulpė". At that time, the word "bath" did not exist in the Lithuanian language, but "tynia" was used instead, so the sanatorium was informally called "purvotynia". Peat for the therapeutic mud was brought from the nearby Velniabliūdis peat bog. Like today, it was mixed with mineral water.
The "Tulpė" sanatorium is the first in Birštonas and has a long history of mineral water and mud treatments. "Tulpė" Sanatorium uses mineral waters "Vytautas" and "Vaidilutė" for treatments. The latter has a high bromine concentration. Bathing in "Vaidilutė" mineral water stimulates physiological processes that promote healing.
Mud therapies have existed from time immemorial. Mud baths are said to have been used in ancient Egypt. Southerners used mud for healing, sometimes laying in the sun until they passed out. This is referred to as Egyptian mud therapy. After the Middle Ages, mud baths became popular in Italy, where volcanic mud known as 'fango' has been applied since the 16th century. Mud therapies have been used at Birštonas since 1927. The treatment process uses well-rotted peat from the Žvėrynas forest, which is stored near the old mineral springs.
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