BRIEF HISTORY:
Degsnės village was established during the times of the Russian Empire rule when 17 Jewish families from Valkininkai expressed a need to get cultivated land. Their request was granted and the history of a village in the name of Novosiolki (or Newcomers in Russian) began. One family was granted from 12 to 18 hectares of land to cultivate. The village was tightly connected to the nearby Valkininkai, where farmers sold their produce. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the villagers of Degsnės became a place, where mentally ill people were sent from all Poland, and farmers were encouraged by local doctors to give hard work to these mentally ill patients. It was believed that active physical work in the fresh air should help their condition.
CURRENT SITUATION:
While walking around this village, notice the uncommon density of the local wooden buildings. Unlike in many Lithuanian or Polish villages, their houses stand very close to the street and give us more of a town`s vibes. Double-sided front doors of the houses opened directly to the porch a few meters from the street.
LOOKING AROUND:
Valkininkai market square (Vilnius str. 41) 54.358364, 24.840891
Historical Jewish quarter in Varėna
Wooden synagogue in Varėna
