8 Kolobrzeska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
60 mineral springs in Poland are considered as healing waters. Most of them are located in hilly and mountainous regions of the country. Especially rich region of this type is Beskid Sądecki. Greater complexes of such springs can also be distinguished in Karkonosze Mountains, Izerskie Mountains and Kotlina Kłodzka (Kłodzko Valley). Polish healing waters have varied composition. The biggest number of them are sodium-chloride waters. In Sudety Mountains there are reactive waters. Quite often mineral waters from Polish spas produce bottled water that is available in shops all over Poland. Such water examples include: Nałęczowianka (from Nałęczów), Wielka Pieniawa (from Polanica Zdrój), Piwniczanka (from Piwniczna), Muszyna (from Muszyna), Ustronianka (from Ustroń) etc.
There are 11 towns with thermal waters (still new ones are being discovered). Hot springs resorts have become lately very popular in Zakopane area (Podhale region). Here it is worth to mention brand new thermal complexes such as Bukovina Thermal Resort, Bania Thermal Resort, Chochołów Thermal Resort or Aquapark in Zakopane. Other thermal resorts outside Podhale region include: Malta Thermal Resort in Poznań, Uniejów Thermal Resort and Wojciech Zdrój in Ladek Zdrój. They are very popular among tourists.
Peat is a peloid, a type of peat highly processed by humifying bacteria. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, gynecological diseases and some diseases of internal organs. Laboratory-processed peloid is a raw material for the production of various types of medicines and cosmetics. Mud extraction and processing is a source of income for a large number of people associated with spa services. When it comes to peloid healing centres in Poland, there are 14 deposits that have healing mines status. Here are some examples of the best well known mines and spa resorts that use them: Bronowo and Ludzicko (Połczyn Zdrój), Jakuszyce (Szklarska Poręba), Kamień Pomorski, Kołobrzeg, Międzyzdroje, Świnoujście, Ustka, Wieniec Zdrój, Pszczyna and Zabłocie. Majority of them is connected with low bogs type of peloid deposits that are dominating in the country.
Currently, there are 41 spa resorts in Poland and 21 towns that have potential spa qualities. Spa towns include: Augustów, Busko Zdrój, Ciechocinek, Cieplice Śląskie Zdrój, Czerniawa Zdrój, Dlugopole Zdrój, Duszniki Zdrój, Goczałkowice Zdrój, Gołdap, Horyniec, Inowrocław, Iwonicz Zdrój, Jedlina Zdrój, Kamień Pomorski, Kołobrzeg, Konstancin-Jeziorna, Krynica, Kudowa Zdrój, Lądek Zdrój, Muszyna, Nałęczów, Piwniczna, Polanica Zdrój, Polańczyk, Połczyn Zdrój, Przerzeczyn Zdrój, Rabka Zdrój, Rymanów Zdrój, Solec Zdrój, Sopot, Swoszowice-Kraków, Szczawnica, Szczawno Zdrój, Świerardów Zdrój, Świnoujście, Ustka, Ustroń, Wapienne, Wieniec Zdrój, Wysowa and Żagiestów Zdrój.
Summing up, it is clear that Poland is rich in healing waters and peat deposits. Thanks to them beautiful spa towns has been established that attract many tourists interested in repairing their health. The hotel base in these areas is diverse and quite wide. Most spa resorts offer also spa parks and gardens, pump rooms, restaurants and cultural events for the bathers and patients.
Author: Agnieszka Szwedzińska
