Merecz is a small town situated at the mouth of the Mereczanka River to the Nemunas River. It is surrounded by the Dzukija National Park, which is one of the most forested in Lithuania.
The town was founded in the 16th century, but already in the 14th century there was a castle in this area, which defended the ford on the Nemunas. Its remnant is the Merkine Mound, to which a walking path leads. From the top you can see a nice panorama of the river and the surrounding area. During the rule of the Jagiellonians and Vasa, Merecz was eagerly visited by the rulers because of the local hunting grounds. Władysław IV Waza, who spent several months here every year, was particularly fond of this place. During one of such stays, in 1648, the king of Poland died.
In the small town of Merecz, you can visit the Renaissance and Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In turn, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross now houses the Markine Regional Museum.
The main attraction of Merecz is Dzukija National Park. It covers vast, wooded areas on the Nemunas River. There are many hiking trails here, and you can also go canoeing on the Nemunas. Many tourists are attracted by the observation tower in Merecza, a 26-meter-high structure with observation decks located at different levels. From it you can admire the beautiful panorama of the Nemunas, which forms picturesque meanders here. An unusual place is the Merkine Pyramid, a complex consisting of the aforementioned pyramid, dome and cross. This place is supposed to have healing power and therefore many tourists come here not only from Lithuania but also from other countries.
