Neringa, one of the most attractive beuty-spots of Lithuania, is a narrow sandy spit separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon, where the Nemunas ends in a wide and forky delta. The coast of the spit is of a particular scenic beauty. The low coastal dunes stand as a protective fence keeping the sea waters off the tree-covered plain. Just behind the plain you will see huge sanf dunes rising above the Lagoon. It is not often that Nature displays such diversity of form and colour as in this queit corner of life. The more so that this narrow sandy Curonian Spit is only 0,4 to 4 km in width.
Neringa is the youngest stretch of dry land of the Lithuanian coast. Some 5000-6000 years ago only peaks of underwater islands could be seen rising above the sea level in the place where the spit is situated now. As the centuries went by, grains of sand accumulated on the islands filling the shoal.  The wondering sea wind blew the sand into piles from which later the dunes were formed. With the passing of time the dunes became covered with coastal grass and trees. However, it was not always that the dunes were so calm and peaceful as nowadays. In the 16th-17th centuries the forest of the Curonian Spit were devasted and recklessly felled. The wide expanse of the spit was conquered by shifting sands. Miriads of grains of sand blow by the wind ground the tree-trunks destroying them and bringing about erosion of the soil. Having swallowed the remnants of the forest the shifting sands ominously approached the fishing villages, driving the local inhabitants away from their homes. The sand buried a number of such villages: houses, gardens and tombs were left mouldering deep under the white dunes... To a visitor the Curonian Spit offers a rare combination of natural beauty and singular architecture. Houses built in the peculiar style of folk architecture are being extensively restored, whereas new buildings are constructed anly according to special projects and following in the folk architecture traditions.The town of Neringa consists of several fishermen‘s settlements. Nida being its centre. The history of this settlement reflects the history of the spit with all the peculiarities and hard-ships of coastal life. Nida is an old settlement which was transferred from the plain to the shores of the Curonian Lagoon in the 18th century. At present it has developed into a cultural centre and is a major attraction for visitors to the spit. New holiday-homes and administrative buildings, very successfully fitted into the architectural pattern of the old Nida, testuify to the people‘s efforts to preserve the unique face of this settlement. No wonder that in Nida one can best feel the spirit of the Curonian Spit, which is really worth seeing. Though winter brings peculiar beauty to Neringa it is, nevertheless, best known as the place of summer attraction. Seeing the high sandy and tree-covered dunes stretching along the coast, one cannot but marvel at the uncomparable uniqueness of this narrow stretch of land. Ship sailing is the best way to see and feel the beauty and uniqueness of the Curonian Spit. Teamholiday offers you a unique opportunity to experience it by yourselves -Europe desert
More articles about Lithuanianian regions:
Shortly About Lithuania
Druskininkai: For your Health and Entertainment
Alytus –City in the Park
|
