The Nemunas is not just the longest river of Lithuania. Once it used to be an important waterway, a support, and a defender of the nation. Today – a mother of tourist resources, an inherent element of Lithuanian landscape, and a keeper of historical memory.

The Nemunas is the most interesting at the midstream. It is a notably valuable part of the river that is of overpowering beauty. More than 70 years ago it was discussed to establish here a National Park. Only in 1992 the Nemunas Bends Regional Park was established.

The total area of the park is 25 thousand ha. Even 67 % of the area are covered with forests (the famous Punia pinewood with a reserve, the Prienai pinewood, the Siponiai forests, and others). The park includes even 17 conservation areas, many valuable historical, cultural, and natural objects. When visiting such historical places as Punia and Birstonas, tourists can admire the great views of the river bends and bottoms.

The most significant focus of the regional park is the Great Nemunas Bends that wind mysteriously in all direction of the world. In the days of old such intense winding of the river frightened navigators and rafters. With its deep bed, the Nemunas has formed a unique and attractive landscape.

You should start your acquaintance with the park at the Visitors’ centre (Tylioji g. 1, Birstonas). An interesting exposition has been mounted here that introduces shortly all the values of the park. You can choose to watch a film of different length (48 min., 20 min., or 4 min.), to purchase booklets, a book ‘The Great Nemunas Bends’, and videotape ‘Where the Nemunas Winds’. Park workers will direct you to the most interesting objects and will offer routes on foot, by bicycles, or by car. Next to Birstonas, in the Skevonys geomorphologic conservation area and in Zverincius forest, there are cognitive natural paths as well as a great cycle path. Visitors are interested in bird watching near the Nemunas islands and other natural or cultural routes.