Birštonas, which has been a resort town since the 19th century, suffered greatly from a fire and the First World War in the 20th century. After the re-establishment of Lithuania’s independence, in 1924 spa buildings which were damaged during the First World War were taken over by the Lithuanian Red Cross which undertook the mission to bring back the curative and recreational function to that beautiful place on the right bank of the Nemunas River. On the bank of the river different convalescence homes sprang one after another, the most the smartest of them being the mud spa building which appeared in 1927. The building was of somewhat monumental, a little modernised eclectic architecture having prominent features of classicism. The main volume of the building above was somewhat higher meeting the functional needs of that time; its facade was decorated with rectangular frontons with keys covering the upper part of the windows, the edges were highlighted with rectangular planes divided into pilasters without bases. Another somewhat higher volume which developed into risalitas arranged on both sides as though devided the symmetrical building. Their sides were accentuated by similar pilasters like those in the wings though higher and with a vertical separation in the middle part. Glass amply prevails on both sides – a solution of five windows covering the main entrance on one side, whereas on the other side there is a composition of massive rectangular windows as though continuing above the separation by semi-circular small windows and a small oval bay window. Above the building, in the part where volumes intersect, a small turret-lantern rises ending in a cupola. It is interesting that today the building still retains both the Red Cross emblems reminding one of its former owner and the architectural style from the beginning of the 20th century. The building has retained its original purpose too.
Another structure of the complex can be seen behind the building – a two-storey treatment facility. In its appearance it is somewhat more modest; however, it reflects the stylistic peculiarities of the same epoch, and in some elements, for example, window bandages it is similar to mud spa buildings. With Birštonas and its resort rapidly growing and improving, at the beginning of the 1930s the Red Cross planned to build a new especially monumental treatment facility in place of the mineral water spas. However, only a small modest side part was built, which, also restored, can see be seen at 35 Birutės street. Most likely the new facilities were planned to be built in parts. We see a laconic façade of early Lithuanian modernism characteristic of public buildings in the surviving wing which intertwines with classical elements, such as a large profiled cornice. By 1939 the Red Cross had invested the amount of 2 million Litas, a really impressive sum in those days.
Birštonas Red Cross health spa - Birutės g. 31, Birštonas 59217, Lietuva
