The Nemunaitis tufa outcrops are located in Alytus District, near the village of Nemunaitis, on the right bank of the Nemunas Valley in the Sudvajų Forest District. They are 900 m long in total, 20–30 m wide and 1.2–10 m high. Layered whitish, grey and brown tufa is visible. These measurements describe the extent of the outcrop, while the layers of colour describe its visible appearance.
By the Nemunas: Landscape and Paths
Nemunaitis was established many centuries ago on the Nemunas bank, surrounded by pine forests. A footpath runs along the bank through the recreation area on Kranto Street, from Nemunaitis to Klebono Stone. This gives your walk a clear destination by the river. Choosing this route connects the riverside landscape with a specific, named destination.
From the recreation area, a path in the opposite direction follows the riverbank for about a kilometre downstream to the tufa outcrop; there is no specially laid path there. The two destinations have different points of interest: Klebono Stone is notable for its historical connection to a water-measurement station, while the outcrop is a geological formation. So, for a walk, you can choose between a cultural-historical landmark and a geological feature.
History and Cultural Heritage
Klebono Stone in the Nemunas was the reason a water-measurement station was established there in 1877. This links the stone to a specific historical event and adds another point of interest by the river alongside its geological significance.
Nemunaitis has been mentioned as a small town since 1387; Nemunaitis Castle is dated to 1384. The years refer to different historical points: one to the castle, the other to the mention of the small town. They should therefore not be read as a single founding date. The two dates help establish the timeline when the castle and the small town are considered as separate points of reference.
The Franciscan summer house was built in 1931–1933 as a rest home for Franciscan brothers. It is listed in Lithuania’s Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage. Its construction period and original function place the building in a different context from the early references to the castle and small town: here, the focus is on a specific building and its purpose when it was built. Its listing adds its designation as cultural heritage to this history.
The monument in Nemunaitis to those who died fighting for Lithuania’s independence was the last work of sculptor Vincas Grybas. It was rebuilt in 1989 and unveiled on 16 February 1990. The two dates mark successive stages in the monument’s history: its reconstruction and its subsequent unveiling.
Nemunaitis Spring also has a practical function: it is maintained and equipped for drawing water. If you plan to use the spring as a water source, check its condition before your visit. Alongside the geological and historical points of interest, this provides a practical use and different reference points for finding your way around the town.
Discover more destinations: Raitininkų seniūnija, Giluičiai, Tabalenka, Praniūnai.
Return to the regional travel overview: Alytus District Municipality.
