About us
The legend of the Merkinė factory
The Merkinė factory appeared on the site of the former Merkinė soap and tar factory. Looking even earlier, there was the royal Merkinė manor here, which has not survived. Here, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila signed his signature and turned Vilnius into a city, granting it Magdeburg rights. After World War I, there was a school on the Merkinė manor. President Antanas Smetona had lunch there during the Ancient Days. After World War II, the school turned into a dispensary, the dispensary turned into a nursing home, and the nursing home into abandoned buildings.
Later, in 2019, foreign relatives, cousins Radzevičius and their families - Tomas with Rasa and Vytaras with Laisve - came here and, having won the competition, rented the buildings for 40 years. Then President Gitanas Nausėda and his wife had lunch here. A year later, President Valdas Adamkus also celebrated his birthday. The new owners see in this place opportunities to have a good time, eat, rest, travel, spend the night, enjoy the confluence of three rivers and look at the world and its problems from above.
The hearth of Dzūkija culture, flavors and hospitality
Merkinė Factory is a center of Dzūkija culture, gastronomy, and hospitality located at the confluence of three rivers, in the historic Merkinė manor.
It is a place where the history of the region, impressive nature, creativity and people come together. Here you can find the restaurant "Kepsnių cechas" inspired by the delicacies of local farmers and pickers, the summer courtyard "Pasaulio puodai" presenting the flavors of Vytars Radzevičius' travels, and the "Sapnų cechas" offering peace and privacy surrounded by nature.
Concerts, exhibitions, education, lectures, crafts fairs and community meetings are constantly held in the spaces of the Merkinė factory, bringing together local people, creators and guests from all over Lithuania. Every summer, the manor is filled with exceptional traditional events - "Opera with Jeans", which invites you to rediscover classical music, and "Samanas", an ancient day dedicated to the history, culture, archaeology, crafts and culinary heritage of Dzūkija.
The Merkinės Factory invites you to come not only to eat or stay overnight, but also to experience living Dzūkija - to get to know its people, stories, flavors, and creative spirit.
Merkinės Fabrikas - Ambassadors of Travel Discovery
In January 2025, the "Most Successful Tourists of 2024" were announced at the international tourism exhibition "Adventur 2025".
The ten most prominent ambassadors of travel discoveries, tourism projects, service providers, innovations, and attractions in the country were presented with awards known as the Lithuanian Tourism Oscars.
In 2024, the title of Ambassador of Travel Discovery went to the owners of the Merkinė Factory – Vytars, Laisva, Tomas and Rasa Radzevičiai. Their initiative has successfully taken off with a wide range of activities: the Merkinė Factory has become a place of gastronomic experiences and cultural discoveries.
How to get here?
By car
We can call Merkinė a crossroads not only for cities in Lithuania, but also in Poland and Belarus. Getting around by car is convenient: from Vilnius or Kaunas, it is only an hour and a half to Merkinė, and from Druskininkai or Alytus, about a half-hour. Travel with a group of friends, and the trip will no doubt feel even shorter, as well as contribute to a more sustainable environment.
By bus
Intercity buses travel between Merkinė and the cities of Vilnius and Kaunas. These routes include Prienai, Alytus, Senoji Varėna and Druskininkai. When travelling by bus, take a bicycle with you; Dzūkija National Park offers several bicycle routes.
By train
We look forward to seeing you at Merkinės fabrikas, arriving by train on the Vilnius–Varėna route. The train stops at Valkininkai, Matuizos, Varėna and Marcinkonys. The town of Merkinė is located 25 km from Marcinkonys, an easy trip by bicycle.
