Tourism in Polish Health Resorts ebook

ROMAN NOWACKI

Tourism in Polish Health Resorts

Reprint of the second edition (extended) of the book titled: Tourist Attractions and Therapeutic Base in Health Resorts, published in 2015 (Opole, Poland), ISBN 978-83-940475-5-9

Opole 2021

Title of the book: Tourism in Polish Health Resorts

Reprint of the second edition (extended) of the book titled: Tourist Attractions and Therapeutic Base in Health Resorts, published in 2015 (Opole, Poland), ISBN 978-83-940475-5-9

Copyright © by Roman Nowacki 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.

Cover design: Piotr Nowacki

Oil painting on the cover: Roman Nowacki

E-book (EPUB) ISBN:978-83-946909-4-6

E-book (EPUB), first edition

Opole, 2021

Wydawnictwo Atna; www.atna.pl

Introduction

Health resortswere already known in antiquity1. They were mostly created in the locations of mineral waters. After the fall of the Roman Empire their role diminished. In the Middle Ages for a long time spa treatment remained beyond the sphere of interest of majority of the population of the European continent. A distinct growth of interest in medical tourism occurred in the Renaissance. Evolution of cultural life and related travels to places which were the leaders of architecture and art development, especially trips to Italy, and which at the turn of the 15th and 16th century were setting out the new trends in the European art influenced the renewed interest in therapeutic travels. Dynamic growth of health tourism began in some countries in the middle of the 18th century together with the development of industry initially in the Great Britain2 and then in other countries of Western Europe3. Routing the railway lines to particular resorts largely decided on their development in that period. The increasing inflow of spa guest resulted in changes of the health resorts’ appearance. New magnificent spa facilities, hotels and guest houses were constructed. The spa season was lengthened. The tourist infrastructure was expanded. Spa guests arriving to resorts could take long walks, play tennis, take horse rides, take boat trips on local lakes, observe some natural oddities during tours and visit surrounding villages and towns. In hotels and restaurants were held dance parties and in theatres were performed plays. In winter a lot of health resorts organised sleigh rides. With the intention to satisfy tourists requirements there were marked hiking, cycling and ski trails. It attracted the increasing number of spa guests as well as people of good health interested in relax, recreation and sport4. Nowadays most spas make the attempts to meet health resort visitors’ needs and to encourage to come larger amount of tourists who do not require spa treatment5.

The aim of the book is the analysis of state of tourism management of Polish health resorts and their activities in the sphere of health tourism and health promotion in 2011.

For elaboration of this book following research methods were used: the method of analysis and criticism of sources, the method of analysis and criticism of literature, an interview and selected observational and statistical methods.

The book has a problem-based arrangement. It consists of three chapters. In the first chapter entitled “Geographic position, climate, nature” are contained pieces of information regarding the geographical location of health resorts, their climate and nature. There were noticed the specific climate and nature conditions of each resort. The information about exploitation of mineral waters and therapeutic mud was also indicated. The second chapter entitled “Therapeutic base” presents the state of therapeutic infrastructure, medical profiles of the health resorts and kinds of applied treatments. The third chapter entitled “Tourist attractions and tourists” shows the characteristics of each spa which influence their attractiveness and tourists. It is both the analysis of local people attitudes, phenomena and events attracting tourists as well as sports and recreational equipment and tourism infrastructure.

The main source base of the book is the documentation of state and local government administration offices, statistical data, results of observational research, interviews and scientific and popular science literature concerning tourism including Polish spas activities. Also the information contained on the websites of particular spas published by the town and commune offices proved useful.

I wish to sincerely thank the authorities of state and local government administration offices of the health resorts and all the persons for valuable information concerning tourism in their resorts what contributed to the creation of this work.

I. Geographic position, climate, nature

A geographic position of a spa, a relevant climate and surrounding nature together with the natural medicinal materials of a health resort considerably determine its development. Most of Polish health resorts are situated in the mountains. The rest of them stretch out along a narrow lane from the south-east to the north-south and towards the sea coast. Some of the resorts are located by the sea. One of the most famous Polish health resorts Krynica Zdrój is situated in the eastern part of the Beskid Sądecki at the altitude of 560-720 m in the beautiful valleys of the rivers Kryniczanka, Palenica, Słowinka and Czarnica6. It is surrounded by wooded hills over which rises Jaworzyna at the altitude of 1114 m. The dense forests which surround the health resort form the local microclimate significantly7. They mitigate it by reducing the temperature fluctuations, by increasing average precipitation and by forming a natural protection of mineral water springs8. All springs of Krynica have features of hypothermal waters9. After being extracted from the spring their temperature ranges from 50 C to 110 C. All waters have carbon dioxide (CO2)content in quantity of over 1000 mg/dm3. They are classified as carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3)10.

To the west of Krynica Zdrój there are several health resorts which are characterized by a similar climate. The closest is Muszyna, situated at the altitude of 450 m at the confluence of the Muszynka River and Szczawnik River to the Poprad River11. Due to high humidity, high precipitation and low amplitudes of temperature there are a lot of fir forests there12. There are found big resources of mineral waters containing among others magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, selenium and lithium13. In close vicinity of Muszyna lies Żegiestów Zdrój. This health resort is outspread over the precipitous bank of the Poprad River. The wooded banks of Poprad and densely overgrown slopes create a picturesque landscape14. The local mineral waters are one of the best ferruginous-calcium-magnesium carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) in Europe15. Between the Radziejowa range in the Beskid Sądecki and the Pieniny, in the Grajcarek stream valley, the right tributary of the Dunajec River, there is Szczawnica. The location of the valley determines a mild microclimate in Szczawnica16. In all directions from the resort rise hills covered with coniferous and larch forests17. The health resort has got twelve springs of mineral waters. They are bicarbonate, sodium, iodide and bromide carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) with a high content of mineral salt and numerous microelements18. Near Szczawnica and Żegiestów Zdrój there is Piwniczna Zdrój. This health resort is situated at the altitude of 357 m level on the Poprad River19. There are natural mineral waters there which are characterized by a high content of magnesium and calcium ions20.

About 30 kilometres from Krynica Zdrój, in the Low Beskid, there is situated Wysowa Zdrój. The spa spreads out in a valley surrounded by wooded mountains in three directions on the Ropa River near the Uście Gorlickie21. Their highest summit is Mt Lackowa with the altitude of 998 m. On this area there is a mild climate, there are curative waters, alkaline acidic waters, the air contains a large amount of iodine22. Near Wysowa Zdrój lies one of the smallest Polish health resorts, Wapienne. It is located in a dell, on the edge of the Low Beskid, near Magura Wątkowska with the height of 847 m. The area where the spa is located is characterized by the favorable submontane climate23. Wapienne has got mineral, hydrosulphuric waters and high quality therapeutic mud24 brought from a local peatbog25.

In the south of the eastern part of Poland there are three health resorts: Iwonicz Zdrój, Rymanów Zdrój and Polańczyk. Iwonicz Zdrój lies on the border of the Low Beskid in the valley of the Iwonicki Stream. It is situated among green fir and beech forests. The health resort has got a very favorable microclimate typical of valleys and mountainous dells26. It is characterized by lowered humidity caused by the southern flow of air from the Dukielska Pass27. Iwonicz Zdrój is located on the area with the altitude of about 410 m, of good insolation and low cloudiness28. On its site there are numerous therapeutic springs, sulfide waters and iodine-bromine brines used for baths and inhalation29. Rymanów Zdrój is situated on the border between the Low Beskid and the Bukowskie Foothills. It lies in the valley of the Tabor River surrounded by the Rymanowskie Hills which rise on the east at the altitude of 668 m. The health resort’s climate has characteristics of a mountain climate but also of a marine climate because of a high content of iodine. Additionally it is characterized by a high content of ozone, salt and relatively high humidity30. It is mostly formed by polar-marine masses of air. Foehn winds appear there. Rymanów has got natural springs of curative waters, above all chloride-sodium, ferruginous, bromide, iodide and boron carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3)31. Polańczyk, one of the best-known health resorts of the West Bieszczady which has the largest sanatorium complex, lies on the west shore of Lake Solińskie. Mountain surroundings of the water reservoir, an intricate tangle of bays and peninsulas create an incredibly varied scenery32. There is a submontane climate with high intensity of climatic stimuli dominated by the characteristics of a continental climate. In its surroundings there are bicarbonate-chloride curative waters additionally containing sodium, bromide and iodine components33. However they are not exploited34.

Rabka Zdrój occupies an important place among the southern Poland spas. The town is situated at the altitude of 500-560 m, at the point of contact of the Gorce and the Beskid Wyspowy (Island Beskid) and the Podhalańskie Range, at the confluence of streams Poniczanka and Słonka to the Raba River35. Wooded mountain sides of Luboń Wielki and Turbacz create an adequate setting of the spa. The local climate differs from a typical mountain climate existing in this part of the country. It is characterized by a small quantity of rather light winds, low precipitation and high insolation36. There is no extensive heat or frost. In the health resort mineral waters are exploited. The spa has nine intakes of abyssal waters mostly brines of the group of iodide-chloride, sodium and bromide ones37. A well-known health resort situated in the Silesian Beskid is Ustroń38. The town is located at the altitude of 340-450 m, in the valley of the Vistula River between Mt Czantoria Wielka situated at the altitude of 995 m and Mt Równica with the altitude of 884 m. It has a mountain moderate stimulus climate39. Due to the influence of the southern masses of air there are no high drops of temperature in winter40. There are chloride-sodium, bromide, iodide waters and therapeutic mud deposits41. The other famous Silesian health resort next to Ustroń is Goczałkowice Zdrój42. This place is located in the Racibórz – Oświęcim Basin, in the valley of the upper Vistula, at the altitude of 250 m. From the south-east it is surrounded by the Beskid ranges, from the north by the Pszczyńskie Forest. The climate of the resort has submontane characteristics. It is mitigated by the reservoir of Lake Goczałkowickie43. The temperature of air is slightly higher than the temperature of most of nearby towns and villages. Chloride-sodium, ferruginous (brines), iodide, bromide, and magnesium waters are exploited there. Therapeutic mud is also extracted there44.

In the south-eastern part of the country, in a region called the Kłodzko Land, at the foot of the Góry Złote (Golden Mountains) lies Lądek Zdrój45. The health resort is situated at the altitude of 420-500 m. It is spread along the Biała Lądecka River. It is surrounded by mild hills covered with forests and meadows46. The location protects it from strong winds and rapid changes of weather47. Lądek Zdrój has amountain strong stimulus climate48. There are thermal radioactive waters and sulfide-fluoride waters49. Additionally there are therapeutic mud deposits. Długopole Zdrój located nearby, is situated in a well-protected and insolated valley with wooded slopes lying at the foot of the Góry Bystrzyckie (Bystrzyca Mountains)50. It has a mid-mountainous, mild, moderate stimulus climate, typical of glens in the Sudetes. There are large monthly and yearly fluctuations in temperature and humidity51. In Długopole Zdrój there are exploited carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) with clinically significant content of iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium and radon52.

The most famous health resort is Polanica Zdrój53 situated in the Central Sudetes, in the Kłodzko Basin, within the Góry Stołowe (Table Mountains) and the Góry Bystrzyckie54. The Bystrzyca Dusznicka River, a left-bank tributary of the Nysa Kłodzka River, flows through the town. In the western part of the resort stretch out numerous pine and spruce forests. In the resort there is a mid-mountainous climate with a large number of sunny days during a year. The natural resource of Polanica Zdrój are mineral waters which are a valuable source of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, sodium, potassium, chlorides and sulfates. They also contain the trace amounts of iron and fluorine55.

Next to Polanica Zdrój, in the north-western part of the Kłodzko Land there is a health resort Duszniki Zdrój56. It is in the Duszniki Depression located at the altitude of 530-570 m stretched out between the southern sides of the Góry Stołowe and the northern sides of the Góry Orlickie (Orlickie Mountains) and the Góry Bystrzyckie. The river Bystrzyca Dusznicka flows through the town. It crosses a narrow, wooded slope valley where there is the resort and reaches the town from where the road leads towards east down the river through the Piekielna Dolina (Hellish Valley)57. At its eastern mouth, behind the slopes of Mt Księżówka (599 m above sea level) and Piekielna Góra (Hellish Mountain) (533 m) extends the Kłodzka Basin. A mountain pass - Polskie Wrota (Polish Gates) - is a west passage rising at the altitude of 660 m which leads to the Kudowa Depression and is open to Czech. Duszniki Zdrój, similarly to neighboring areas, remains at the zone of influence of various masses of atmospheric air. Distribution of temperatures is in the close relation to the altitude of the area and the exposition of mountain sides58. A considerable amount of precipitation (average annual - about 996 mm) the highest in July and not so warm summer period does not differentiate Duszniki Zdrój from other sites located at the similar altitude. In the Duszniki Depression often blow eastern and western “valley” winds which can be changed even during one day. At the day time when the sun warms hill ridges air masses come from the bottom upwards59. In the evening when masses of cold and heavy air come down from hills, a direction of a wind changes60. However, south winds which force their way from the Dolina Orlicy (Eagle Valley) dominate. In the spa there are curative mineral waters, bicarbonate-calcium carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) containing also sodium, calcium, iron and magnesium61.

The health resort Kudowa Zdrój is situated at the altitude of 400-440 m in a valley called the Kudowa Depression surrounded with the Góry Stołowe from the north, with the Lewińskie Hills from the east, with the hills belonging to the Orlickie Mountains from the south62. In the west, the valley joins the Great Czech Basin. Two streams flow through the health resort: the Bystra and the Kudowski Stream which create a pond in the health resort. Both streams belong to Łaba River basin, North Sea catchment63. Kudowa Zdrój has a mild submontane stimulus climate. The geographic position of the health resort provides it with a shelter from the influence of north-eastern air masses. The impact of the oceanic climate of Western Europe is noted there64. This manifests itself in the form of increased amounts of precipitation, milder winters and cooler summer65. In the area adjacent to Kudowa Zdrój66 there are numerous spruce forests with an admixture of pine and beech. The health resort has rich mineral water resources. They are bicarbonate-calcium, sodium, ferruginous and arsenic carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3)67.

The small spa town Przerzeczyn Zdrój is situated in the valley of the Ślęża River, at the Sudetian Foothills at the altitude of about 240 m. The health resort is surrounded by the sparsely wooded Niemczaśnsko-Strzelińskie Hills. It has a submontane moderate stimulus warm climate. Prevailing silence is rarely interfered with weak winds. There are low mineralized radioactive-sulphide waters containing sulphides of calcium and magnesium68. Natural medicinal material which are also extracted there are mineral waters69.

At the Wałbrzyskie Foothills, in the glen, at the altitude of 500-600m the health resort Jedlina Zdrój is situated. The town is surrounded by wooded hills of the Góry Wałbrzyskie (the Wałbrzych Mountains) and the Góry Sowie (the Owl Mountains) on three sides. The valley is open to the south and south-east and thanks to this location it is sheltered from strong winds70. It has a milder climate of a mountain, moderate stimulus type and higher insolation than the surrounding villages and towns71. Natural medicinal materials and bicarbonate-calcium, magnesium, sodium and ferruginous carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) are exploited there72.

At the foot of the Mt Chełmiec, the highest peak of the Góry Wałbrzyskie there is a health resort Szczawno Zdrój73. It is situated in the valley of the Szczawnik stream at the altitude of 430 m. The climate of Szczawno Zdrój is submontane74. It is mild and refreshing. It is influenced by the location of the resort. In the south-east it is protected by the mountain Góra Parkowa. It is also preserved from strong winds by the height of the Biały Kamień (White Stone) and large forest areas75. There are curative waters and hydrocarbonate-sodium, hydrocarbonate-sodium-magnesium carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3) including radioactive and low-mineralized ones76.

The most famous health resort in the western part of the country is Cieplice Zdrój (now a district of the southern part of Jelenia Góra) located at the altitude of 350 m in the centre of the Jelenia Góra Basin77. The resort is surrounded by the rivers Kamienna and Wrzosówka. To the north stretch the Góry Kaczawskie (the Kaczawy Mountains), to the east Rudawy Janowickie, to the south Karkonosze Massif, to the west the Góry Izerskie (the Izerskie Mountains). The health resort has a climate characterized by frequent changes of weather, significant daily temperature and pressure fluctuations, intensifying winds and high insolation78. There are low-mineralized, fluoride waters, thermal springs and therapeutic mud deposits79.

Several dozens of kilometers from Cieplice Zdrój there is the resort of the Sudetes called Świeradów Zdrój80. It is spread in a dell through which flows the Kwisa river and is surrounded by the Jizera Mountains (the Western Sudetes range) covered with spruce forests81. It is situated at the altitude of about 470-600m. The resort has a mountain climate with predominant features of an oceanic climate. It is characterized by small annual amplitudes, high precipitation and moderate intensity of climatic stimuli82. There are exploited curative waters, radioactive bicarbonate-calcium and magnesium carbonated mineral waters (with carbon content more than 1000 mg/dm3), fluoride waters, ferruginous (radioactive waters) and therapeutic mud deposits83.

In the north-western part of Poland there is the health resort called Świnoujście84. It is located at the Bay of Pomerania, on the island of Usedom, Wolin and Karsibór and also on dozens of little uninhabited islands at the mouth of the river Świna to the Baltic Sea. The Polish part of the Usedom island is mostly covered with mixed forest. Moraine uplands of the islands of Usedom and Wolin are covered by beech and pine forests with occasionally growing oaks and birches85. On the sand dunes which stretch along the sea coast pine forests occur. The resort has a very transitional moderate climate which is highly influenced by the warm Atlantic current. Precipitation is not too large, about 550 mm a year, winters are milder than inland. Sometimes there are periods of warm and sunny weather and periods with predominance of high cloudiness and rain86. There are curative waters there: sodium-chloride, bromide, iodide (brines) and therapeutic mud deposits87. Near Świnoujście, at the Kamieński Lagoon, there is situated a health resort called Kamień Pomorski88. In the east, the town is surrounded by the sparsely wooded Gryficka Plain. There exists a maritime moderate stimulus climate, with low rainfall and small daily temperature amplitudes. The health resort has natural curative resources, sodium-chloride waters, bromide, iodide, ferruginous (brines) and therapeutic mud deposits89. A major seaside resort is Kołobrzeg which is situated at the mouth of the river Parsęta to the Baltic90. Kołobrzeg is spread out on the border of two macro-regions of the Szczecińskie Embankment and the Koszalińskie Embankment in the lowland and wet area of the back of dunes91. Near the spa grow beech and mixed forests and alder and wet pine forests. The characteristic vegetation of the area are also heath peatbogs. The climate depends on the influence of the Baltic Sea. It has characteristics of a maritime stimulus climate with high insolation in the summertime, high precipitation and strong winds in autumn92. The health resort has natural medicinal resources. There are chloride-sodium, bromide, iodide (brines) waters and therapeutic mud deposits93.

Połczyn Zdrój, which is at the distance of over 60 km from the seacoast, situated in the Drawsko Lake District is spread out at the bottom of the basin among moraine hills on the river Wogra94. The town lies on the area of the Drawski National Park. Beech forests are stretched over the area. The landscape is diversified with high hills and slopes. There are post-glacial lakes there. Połczyn Zdrój has a low-stimulus lowland climate, with not a big amount of precipitation95. In the resort there is brine extracted which, thanks to unique composition and high concentration of natural mineral components such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, chlorides and sulfates, has precious therapeutic properties96. Therapeutic mud is extracted there as well.

One of the small resorts is Ustka97 situated on the Słowińskie Coast at the mouth of the Słupia River to the Baltic Sea98. It is separated from the sea by a large beach together with vast band of wooded dunes. It has a heavy stimulus maritime climate characterized by high insolation in spring and summer and strong winds in autumn and winter99. There are exploited chloride-sodium, bromide and iodide mineral waters and therapeutic mud100.

One of the youngest Polish health resorts is Dąbki101 located in the central part of the Słowińskie Embankment having the status of the spa since 2007. The resort lies on the flat land. It is separated from the sea by sandy beaches surrounded by a band of sand dunes covered with pine forests. Dąbki is situated in the coastal stimulus climate which is mitigated by vast areas of forests and the Bukowo lake. The air is characterized with high purity and humidity. It contains large amounts of aerosols consisting of sodium chloride, iodine and bromine. In the resort area there are rich deposits of therapeutic mud102.

One of the well-known seaside resorts is Sopot103 which, together with nearby Gdańsk and Gdynia creates Tri-City with over a million citizens. The spa lies at the Bay of Gdańsk on the Gdańsk Embankment. It is surrounded by the hills of the Gdańsk Upland104. From the land it is protected by the wooded moraine hills and from the open sea by the Hel Peninsula. Sopot has a quite stimulus climate with coastal features105. The resort has natural therapeutic resources, mineral waters – brines (chloride-sodium, iodide and bromide waters)106.

One of the biggest health resorts of the central Poland is Ciechocinek107. It is situated in Kujawy, in the lowlands, known as the Ciechocinek Basin. Near Ciechocinek extend big areas of forests and meadows. The resort has a typical lowland low stimulus climate with a small number of rainy days108. It the town there are natural curative resources, chloride-sodium, bromide-iodide waters (brines). Thermal brines are also obtained from several sources109. During brine boiling some curative products are obtained: salt, buck and mud. Located near Ciechocinek – Wieniec Zdrój is a resort hidden among quiet pine forests110. There is a midforest lowland climate of little stimulus character. Its characteristic is the presence of essential oils in the air which are emitted by coniferous trees and shrubs. In the health resort there are natural medicinal resources exploited such as mineral waters containing components of calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium, sulfate-chloride-calcium-sodium, sulfide, fluoride waters and therapeutic mud deposits111. The last health resort in Kujawy is Inowrocław112. The spa is located on the Inowrocławska Plain in the Brine Park. The park’s area is 75ha. There is a varied stand of trees there. Among trees that grow there are: sycamores, maple-trees, oaks, plane-trees and willows. The resort has a low-stimulus lowland climate with plenty of sunny days113. There exist natural therapeutic resources, chloride-sodium-magnesium waters (bitter brine) and therapeutic mud deposits of a low type114.

In the north-east Poland the best-known health resort is Augustów115. It is situated on the Augustowska Plain on the Netta river. Nearby there are lakes Necko, Białe (White) and Sajno. From the north, east and south Augustów is surrounded by the Augustów Forest. Large areas of forests and woods of various types are distinguished by a significant number of old trees. Wet woods and swamp-woods are predominant. Wet habitat is occupied by alder swamp forest116. Here and there one can find forests growing on dry ground. There is arctic flora there and peat flora and fauna as well117. The climate of the health resort is distinguished by a significant impact of a continental climate and is one of the fiercest in the country118. The average annual temperature is only 60 C, a winter lasts long, sometimes four months. Surrounding lakes have a mitigating impact on the local climate. Forest setting of the spa makes the air filled with essential oils emitted by coniferous trees (pine and spruce trees). Therapeutic mud deposits are exploited nearby.

Gołdap, which is situated on the edge of the Garb Szeski (Szeskie Hills), is included to the youngest Polish health resorts119. The resort is four kilometers distant from Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation. The health resort is spread along the Gołdapa River. It lies on a diversified area. Not far away there is the Romincka Forest and there are moraine hills. The spa has a lowland, wooded, moderate stimulusclimate with characteristics of a continental climate120. The local air is characterized by high purity. The health resort takes advantages of the climate and therapeutic mud deposits exploited nearby. The local ground-waters have characteristics of mineral waters on larger depths.

In the north-eastern Poland, on the Białystok Upland is Supraśl121. The health resort is situated on the edge of the Landscape Park of the Knyszyńska Forest on the left bank of the Supraśl River. The area where the resort is spread has a diversified landscape. It is formed by numerous wooded hills and valleys of small rivers. There are a lot of peatbogs and wet areas which are created in the valleys of streams and rivers122. There is a large number of old trees in the forests. Pine woods and pine-spruce woods are in the majority. There are also forests growing on dry ground and along river valleys grow alders, ash-trees and alder swamp forests. There is a lowland, low stimulus climate with characteristics of a woodland climate123. Near the resort there are exploited rich deposits of therapeutic mud.

A middle-sized health resort is Nałęczów124 situated on the Lublin Upland at the altitude of 170-200 m. The Bystra River, the right tributary of the Vistula flows through the resort. The town is surrounded by a loess plateau with a varied network of ravines and rich vegetation. In the city centre spreads the spa park with the area of over 20 hectares125. There grow: horse chestnuts, tilias, pine trees, oaks, American tulip trees. The resort has a lowland low stimulus climate with continental characteristics. The health resort has natural medicinal resources. In the surrounding area there are low mineralized, ferruginous waters exploited126.

Since 2002, the status of a health resort has Krasnobród, located in the Central Roztocze in the valley of the upper course of the Wieprz River127. The resort is located in the Krasnobrodzki Landscape Park. On its diversified area grow pine forests, fir woods, Carpathian beech wood, alder swamp forests. There are peatbogs with rare vegetation128. The health resort has a lowland, low stimulus climate with continental characteristics. In its surroundings there are exploited deposits of therapeutic mud129.

Horyniec Zdrój is one of the small health resorts130. The town is located on the borderland of the Tarnogród Plateau and the Southern Roztocze, also known as Eastern, at the altitude of 260 m. From the south and west the resort is surrounded by mild wooded plateaus (uplands) which divide shallow river valleys. The uplands are dry and sandy, valleys are usually wet often filled with swamps and peatbogs. From the remaining sides, within the Roztocze, spread large hills at the altitude of 300-360m. The Roztocze hill ranges are separated by dry valleys and ravines131. Horyniec Zdrój has an upland, moderate stimulus climate with continental characteristics with warm summer seasons and cold winters132. Near the resort natural medicinal resources are exploited as well as low-mineralized sulfide waters and rich therapeutic mud deposits133.

A well-known health resort of the south-eastern part of Poland is Busko Zdrój134. The resort is situated at the altitude of 220-250 m, in the Nida Basin on the south side of the Pińczowski Garb. The area of the spa is very diversified. Wavy ridges of gypsum rocks steeply falling towards the Nida River and numerous dome-shaped hills are covered by steppe vegetation135. In some places of the Basin there are wet meadows, peatbogs and ponds136. There is a lowland low-stimulus climate with continental characteristics there137. The average annual temperature is 7.80 C. Nearby there are exploited natural medicinal resources, sulfide-hydrosulphuric, salty, iodide-bromide waters and therapeutic mud deposits138.

In the area of the Nida Basin, south of Busko Zdrój there is the health resort called Solec Zdrój139. The town is located on the Rzoska River at the altitude of 180 m. The resort is situated in a spa park which connects to the pine forest and the nearby artificial lake140. In the spa park you can find different kinds of trees including plane trees, large leaved lindens, larches and magnolias. The surrounding area is rolling, usually weakly wooded. There are numerous meadows there. Solec Zdrój has a lowland, low-stimulus climate with little local variations. The health resort has natural medicinal resources, chloride-sodium-sulfate, bromide, iodide, ferruginous waters and therapeutic mud deposits141.

Konstancin health resort is located on the Warsaw Plain about 20 km from Warsaw142. In its neighborhood there are the Chojnowskie forests in which was created the Chojnowski Landscape Park143 and the Kabacki forest. This dense forest complex is the largest nature reserve in Mazovia. A multispecies composition of a tree stand is preserved there. Over a hundred year old oak, pine and beech trees grow there. On the upper layer of a tree stand grow trees including aspen, larch, small-leaved lime, Norway maple, European ash, wych elm. The resort has a lowland, woodland, low-stimulus climate. The spa has natural medicinal resources, sodium-chloride, iodide, ferruginous waters (brines)144.

One of the oldest Polish health resorts is Swoszowice which forms the southern part of Cracow and is included in the 10th district of the City of Cracow145. The resort lies at the altitude of 250 m in the valley of the Wilga River. It is surrounded by the hills of the Wielickie Foothills. In the 7 ha spa park you can find over a hundred year old trees. The Scots pines, Norway spruces, small-leaved limes, elms, white poplars, Norway maples, weeping willows are some of the trees growing there. The resort has a submontane, moderate stimulus, warm climate146. It has natural curative resources, sulfate-hydrocarbonate-calcium and magnesium-sulfide, low-mineralized waters147.

II. Therapeutic base

An increasing flow of health resort visitors led to a change in the appearance of health resorts. New sumptuous spa objects were constructed and equipped with some modern facilities. New treatment methods were introduced148. The spa season was lengthened. It resulted in the necessity of putting nature under the roof. Winter gardens, palm houses and conservatories were created. The progressive growth of industry has led to the development of modern-age diseases among which different types of cancer dominate as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems dysfunctions together with overweight and obesity. It helped to extend the range of health-related services provided in the resorts149. Political and economic changes that occurred in 1989 also had a major impact on the functioning of Polish health resorts150. In recent years, after Polish accession to the European Union, a number of measures were taken to adjust the spa treatment and infrastructure to the UE requirements151. Spa infrastructure benefited from it152. The level of provided services was significantly raised153. According to the interests and expectations of contemporary patients the cultural154, relaxation and cognitive offer was also enriched155.

To Krynica Zdrój are directed patients who are treated for the traumatic orthopedic injuries, the nervous system, rheumatic and cardiology disorders, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity and people suffering from hypertension, disorders of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the digestive system malfunctions, the peripheral vascular diseases, women’s diseases, the kidneys and the urinary system dysfunctions, blood and the haematologicalsystem disorders and occupational diseases156. In the sanatorium treatment of Krynica Zdrój a lot of interventions are carried out including: hydrotherapy (mineral baths, an underwater massage, a whirlpool massage, Scottish showers, bubble baths), inhalation, cryotherapy (strong, local freezing of a body surface area or a joint using nitrogen monoxide or liquid nitrogen for a short period of time), kinesiotherapy (individual and group specialist gymnastics with accessories), magnet therapy (a treatment with pulsating magnetic field of low frequency), phonophoresis (ultrasounds – mechanical waves causing pressure variability in the tissues), mechanotherapy (a classic dry massage, a manual therapy, an aquavibron157) and also therapeutic mud interventions (wraps, pads, full wrappings), electrotherapy (an interdyn158, diadynamics159, iontophoresis160, terapuls161), actinotherapy (laser, sollux lamps162) and classes at a swimming pool and some psychotherapeutic activities.

There are four sanatoria in Krynica Zdrój. The oldest of them is the “Old Bath House” situated on the promenade near the Main Pump Room. It is a historic building constructed in 1889 in the neo-Renaissance style163. It has rich interior decorations. Several rooms have a representative character. The most beautiful is a ballroom. The sanatorium has 175 places for patients in single, double and three-person suites and rooms. Some rooms are equipped with full bathroom facilities. In the building there is a modern medical base. Hydrotherapy and kinesiotherapy interventions are conducted there164. In the close vicinity of the Main Pump Room there is a sanatorium called the “New Bath House”. It is able to accommodate 195 guests in rooms with full bathroom facilities in most of them. In this building you can have a number of interventions including hydrotherapy and physicotherapy treatments, therapeutic mud wraps, massages and inhalations. Near the promenade there is also located the “New Mineral Baths” sanatorium. The building has 120 beds in rooms with full and partial bathroom facilities. In this building there are performed a range of interventions including hydrotherapy and physicotherapy treatments, therapeutic mud wraps and baths, massages, individual and group gymnastics. The sanatorium “Patria”, a former guesthouse built in 1933 on the initiative of Jan Kiepura, is able to accommodate 80 patients in rooms with full and partial bathroom facilities. In the object, as in other sanatoria of Krynica, there are carried out most of the treatments mentioned above165. The most important health resort object is the Main Pump Room built in 1971 on the site of a former pump room “Słowinka” (1806). Its area is 4540 m2. The water from the sources: „Zdrój Główny” (“The Main Spa”), „Jan” (“John”), „Józef” (“Joseph”), „Tadeusz”, „Zuber” and „Słotwinka” is available there. Inside there is a concert hall and a winter garden166.

To Muszyna come patients who are treated for the traumatic orthopedic injuries, the nervous system, rheumatic and cardiology diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity and people suffering from hypertension, disorders of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the digestive system malfunctions, the peripheral vascular diseases, the kidney and urinary system dysfunctions and occupational diseases167. In this resort there are some sanatoria and rehabilitation centers such as: the Health Resort Sanatorium “Korona” (“Crown”), the Health Resort Sanatorium “Muszyna”, the Sanatorium of Health Resort Rehabilitation “Revita”, the Health Resort Sanatorium “Wiarus” (“Veteran”) and the Centre of Rehabilitation, Training and Recreation PZN (Polish Ski Association)168. The sanatorium “Korona” offers 120 places in single, double and three-person suites and rooms with full bathroom facilities. The object is adapted for the needs of people with disabilities. In the building there are performed interventions including a mud bath, a brine bath, massages and local cryotherapy169. The sanatorium “Revita” has 120 beds for health resort visitors in single, double and three-person rooms with full bathroom facilities. The object is partially adapted for the needs of people with disabilities. Within the building there is a number of interventions carried out including bubble baths, mud baths, inhalations, paraffin wraps, group and individual apparatus gymnastics and a range of physiotherapy treatments (a magnet therapy, a laser therapy, a galvanic bath, a iontophoresis)170. The sanatorium “Wiarus” has 148 beds in suites and rooms with balconies equipped with full bathroom facilities. The object is adapted for the needs of people with disabilities. In the sanatorium various treatments are conducted including mineral baths, brine and therapeutic mud baths, mud wraps, massages, inhalations, individual and group gymnastics and a number of physiotherapy interventions. The Centre of Rehabilitation, Training and Recreation PZN (Polish Ski Association) has 80 places in rooms with full bathroom facilities. In the building some medical rehabilitation is carried out including rehabilitation of the blind and the partially-sighted, there are therapeutic and recreational holidays, summer camps and Nature Schools organized there. In the resort there is the Cechini Pump Room where you can draw water from two spa sources: the Source “Stanisław” and the Source “Józef”171.

Żegiestów Zdrój, one of the smallest Polish spas which history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century172 has only one building of health resort therapeutics and it is the “Wiktor” (“Victor”) Sanatorium. There are 150 beds offered there in rooms with different, rather low standards. In the building there is the source of “Zofia” (“Sophie”) mineral water. The sanatorium has its own treatment base. Among the treatments performed there are: inhalations, mineral and carbonic acid baths, hydrotherapeutic showers, massages, paraffin wraps and therapeutic gymnastics173.

The health resort Szczawnica specializes in the treatment of patients who suffer from the respiratory tracts disorders, the chronic inflammation of the nose, throat and larynx, the allergic upper respiratory tracts disorders, bronchial asthma and the musculoskeletal system disorders (rachialgia and the rheumatic diseases)174. In Szczawnica operate a few centers providing health services175. The Health Resort Sanatorium “Nauczyciel” (“Teacher”) offers 140 beds in single, double and three-person rooms. On the premises there are carried out about 50 different interventions including inhalations, physicotherapy, kinesiotherapy and hydrotherapeutic treatments and a range of specialist massages176. Within the Health Resort Szczawnica Enterprise Ltd there are the Sanatorium “Papiernik” and the Inhalatorium which offer 35 kinds of hydrotherapy, physicotherapy, physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy interventions and inhalations177. Moreover, there is the Health Resort Clinic and the Pump Room “Magdalena” where you can drink the waters from the sources: “Jan”, “Stefan” (“Stephen”), “Józef” and “Józefina” (“Josephine”)178. The Sanatorium “Dzwonkówka” has 140 beds in single and double rooms with balconies and full bathroom facilities. In the building various treatments are carried out including inhalations, massages, iontophoresis, diadynamics, interdyn, therapeutic gymnastics, a brine and mineral bath and therapeutic mud compresses. The largest spa treatment objects are the Health Resort Sanatorium “Hutnik” (“Metallurgist”) and the Sanatorium Recreation Centre “Budowlani” (“Builders”). In the first building there are 251 beds, in the other there are 183 beds. These sanatoria have an extensive healing base. They deliver a range of different treatments including electrotherapy, phototherapy, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation179. Health visits and rehabilitation stays are also organized by the Holiday-Health Centre “Solar SPA”180. It consists of four buildings located in the town centre and in the health resort. The Centre has its own treatment rooms.

The health resort Piwniczna Zdrój specializes in assisting the treatment of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the traumatic orthopedic injuries and the rheumatic diseases, the digestive system malfunctions, diseases of the excretory system and metabolism (diabetes)181. There exists the Sanatorium “Limba” (“Arolla Pine”) able to accommodate 220 visitors in double rooms with full bathroom facilities. The sanatorium consists of two buildings situated on the mountainside of Mt Kicarz near the Spa Park182. In these buildings different treatments are performed including the following areas: balneotherapy with mineral waters usage, hydrotherapy, actinotherapy, kinesiotherapy, massages and balneation treatments with therapeutic mud usage183.

Wysowa Zdrój specializes in assisting the treatment of the respiratory tracts disorders, the digestive system malfunctions, the traumatic orthopedic injuries and the rheumatic diseases, the nervous system malfunctions, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and occupational diseases184. In the resort there are several centers for treatment. The Sanatorium “Biawena” offers 195 beds in double, three and four-person suites and rooms with full bathroom facilities. In the sanatorium there is the Diabetes Unit. A rehabilitation-recreation swimming pool and a gym are available to the health resort visitors. The building has its own medical base. The Health Resort Hospital “Beskid” offers 130 places in double, three and four-person rooms. In the hospital operates the Haemodialysis Ward. The Sanatorium-Recreational House “Glinik” has 138 beds in double, three and four-person rooms with full bathroom facilities185. The building is adapted for people with disabilities. There are conducted some physicotherapy186, hydrotherapy and kinesiotherapy interventions. A swimming pool with hydromassage is at the visitors’ disposal187. A recently created Institute of Human Health in Wysowa also offers the medical rehabilitation and treatment for improving general condition. In the spa park there is Mineral Water Pump Room rebuilt after the fire where you can enjoy therapeutic waters from five sources: “Franciszek”, “Józef II”, “Anna”, “Słone” (“Salty”) and “Henryk” (“Henry”)188. In the Natural Therapy Centre you can use different types of treatments. There are offered: mineral baths, therapeutic mud wraps, underwater massages, showers, inhalations and many more. There are also recommended a music therapy, a phytotherapy and a hippotherapy. Some new investments resulted in the increased flow of patients189.

Wapienne, one of the smallest Polish health resorts, specializes in assisting treatment of the traumatic orthopedic injuries and the rheumatic diseases, dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system and skin disorders190. The resort is adapting to the upper respiratory tracts treatment191. The local Health Resort has 36 beds in brick buildings in single, double and three-person rooms with full bathroom facilities and 75 beds in camping huts adapted for a mountaineer style. The resort has its own medical base. The scope of offered treatment includes: sulphur mineral waters, therapeutic mud wraps, a classical massage, an underwater massage, bubble baths and ozone baths in whirlpool bath tubs192.

The treatment profiles of Iwonicz Zdrój include: the nervous system malfunctions, the respiratory system disorders, the rheumatic diseases, the traumatic orthopedic injuries, malfunctions of the digestive system, skin disorders, osteoporosis and a rehabilitation of women after mastectomy193. The health resort has a very well developed medical base. It consists of one hospital and five sanatoria194. The spa hospital “Excelsior” has 235 beds in single, double, three and four-person rooms with full and partial bathroom facilities. The building is completely accessible for disabled people. It has the following wards: neurology, orthopedic and rheumatology. In each of them there is a physician’s office and an operating room. The “Stare Łazienki” (“Old Baths”) Sanatorium has 49 places in double and three-person rooms with full bathroom facilities195. In the complex there is the Centre of Diagnostics and Treatment of Osteoporosis, the Dermatology Spa Clinic as well as some experts clinics and laboratories conducting analytical, biochemical, bacteriological and hormone research196. The “Biały Orzeł” (“White Eagle”) Sanatorium has 130 double and three-person rooms with full bathroom facilities. In the building there are some physicians’ offices and operating rooms. The Sanatorium – Hotel “Pod Jodłą” (“Under the Fir”) has 85 beds in single, double, three and four-person suites and rooms with full bathroom facilities. In the building there are no physicians’ offices or operating rooms. The “Ustronie” Sanatorium is located in a building of wooden construction. It has 16 beds in single, double and three-person rooms with bathrooms. This sanatorium does not have its own medical base. The patients of the sanatoria mentioned above use the treatment provided by the Natural Therapy Spa Centre. The building is fully accessible for disabled people. There are conducted interventions in the areas of kinesiotherapy, physicotherapy, hydrotherapy, athletic recovery, massages as well as therapeutic mud and paraffin wraps. Additionally the visitors to the health resort can enjoy some relaxation baths at a swimming pool and some exercises at a gym as well as a scope of care cosmetic treatments. In an architecturally interesting building of the Mineral Water Pump Room resembling a classicist style conservatory the water from the following sources: “Elin 7”, “Iwonicz II”, “Zofia 6”, “Karol 2” (“Charles 2”), “Klimkówka 27” and “Iza 19” is available197.

To Rymanów Zdrój are directed patients suffering from the cardiology diseases and hypertension, disorders of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the traumatic orthopedic injuries, the rheumatic diseases, the digestive and nervous systems malfunctions and the urinary system dysfunctions198. The spa has an extensive medical base199. The spa hospitals and sanatoria of Rymanów Zdrój have over a thousand beds available. One of the largest medical objects is the Spa Hospital “Eskulap” (“Aescul”) offering 200 places in rooms of a high standard. The building is entirely accessible for disabled patients. It is combined with the Natural Therapy Centre. This hospital has the units of early and late cardiac rehabilitation and the units of sanatorium cardiac rehabilitation. There are also a laboratory and an x-ray lab. In the Natural Therapy Centre numerous interventions are carried out including physiotherapy, balneotherapy and kinesiotherapy treatments and massages. The Spa Hospital “Zimowit” offers 180 beds for adult patients and the same number of places for children. The hospital complex is adapted for disabled people. There are various balneology, physicotherapy and kinesiotherapy treatments available there200. The hospital has a gym, a sauna and a swimming pool used for mineral baths and gymnastics. The following centers also deal with the medical treatment of children: the Spa Hospital “Polonia”, the Spa Hospital “Gozdawa”, the Sanatorium “Krystyna” and the Sanatorium “Gołąbek-Opatrzność” (“A Little Dove-Providence”). Adult patients receive treatment in the Sanatorium “Maria” and the Sanatorium “Teresa”. In the local Mineral Waters Pump Room you can drink the medicinal water from the springs: “Tytus”, “Klaudia” and “Celestynka”201.

The health resort Polańczyk specializes in supporting the treatment of patients suffering from the traumatic-orthopedic injuries, the rheumatic diseases, the neurological disorders, the upper and lower respiratory tracts disorders, neurosis, diabetes and osteoporosis202. The spa has an extensive medical base203. The Spa Sanatorium “Plon” (“Crop”) offers 160 beds in single, double, three and four-person rooms with full bathroom facilities. A series of treatments is carried out in the building. There is also a mineral water pump room. The “Sanatorium” Solinka has 180 beds available in single, double and three-person rooms of a high standard. In the building there is a medical base with complete equipment facilitating an implementation of offered spa treatment. It is adapted for disabled people. The Therapeutic Recreation Centre “Detal” has 130 places in single, double and three-person suites and rooms. In the building there is a well equipped medical base. The Spa Sanatorium “Ela” (”Amer-Pol” Ltd) offers 420 places in single and double suites and rooms with full bathroom facilities. The building is fully adapted for the disabled staying on their own and moving on wheelchairs. In the sanatorium there are numerous interventions carried out including mineral water baths, massages, inhalations, cryotherapy and a range of kinesiotherapy and physicotherapy treatments204. In the building there is also a mineral water pump room, a sauna and a pump room.

Rabka Zdrój specializes in the treatment of patients suffering from the respiratory system disorders, the circulatory system diseases, the metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity), the musculoskeletal system disorders, the cardiology diseases including patients after the heart attack and a cardiac surgery205. The health resort has got a very well developed medical base206. One of the largest centers is the Sanatorium of Children’s Cardiology “Olszówka”. It consists of two buildings where there are 170 beds for children207. There is also a spa school. The buildings are partially accessible for people with disabilities. In the sanatorium and nearby there are available kinesiotherapy, physicotherapy, hydrotherapy and balneotherapy treatments. The Spa Cardiological Hospital situated in the Spa Park has got over 170 beds. It specializes in the treatment of the circulatory system diseases of adults and in the cardiac and psychosomatic rehabilitation. In the building there are the intensive cardiac supervision rooms, the rooms for a motor rehabilitation and the diagnostic rooms. The remaining sanatorium objects: the “Jagielonka” Sanatorium (73 beds), the Spa Sanatorium “Świt” (“Dawn”) (40 beds), the Children’s Sanatorium “Rzymianka” (70 beds) are not adapted for carrying out treatments in them. They also provide paid services for relaxation and recreation.

Ustroń specializes in treating patients suffering from the traumatic orthopedic injuries, the rheumatic diseases, the cardiology and blood pressure disorders, the peripheral vascular diseases, the upper and lower respiratory tracts disorders, osteoporosis and occupational diseases208. It also conducts the rehabilitation of women after mastectomy. The health resort has an extensive medical base209. It has four sanatoria with over 1300 places for spa visitors. The Sanatorium and the Spa Hospital “Równica” has single and double rooms and suites with full bathroom facilities. The complex is completely adapted for the needs of people with disabilities including those moving on wheelchairs. On the site there is a swimming pool, a gym and a