On the other side of the Nemunas, in the Alksniakiemis (Salt) forest, where there had been only one villa till fifty years ago, new summer villas sprouted up, and there was a grand plan to investigate mineral springs. Nonetheless, the poor were refused access to treatment. Who was treated at the resort in those days? Ladies with no major professions, various officials, merchants, and military officers. Birštonas treated only 5,004 patients during three years.
Low-wage workers and petty traders couldn't afford to rent pricey rooms or dine at special canteens, so they usually returned home before finishing the entire course of treatment. Birštonas was demolished under the fascist occupation. Nazis seized all equipment from the "Tulpė" and burned down the club canteen before leaving The flames also destroyed the beautiful landscapes of Birštonas' surroundings, painted by renowned artist A. Žmuidzinavičius.
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