We arrived in the city of Szczawnica coming from Krakow, trying to get to know its features that include many hot springs and resorts dedicated to treatment with mineral waters, and it is indeed a vibrant tourist destination in southern Poland. It is also a unique and irresistible destination thanks to the variety of activities in it and the natural and cultural beauty it provides.
The management of the hotel where we stayed, Pieniny Grand Hotel, gave us a tour of the city centre to get to know its picturesque location at the foot of the Pieniny Mountains, near the Dunajec River Gorge. The low mountains with rocky peaks, are located within the borders of the beautiful Pieniny National Park.
Stavnica is a small, quiet town full of forests and beautiful landscapes, where hikers can take the opportunity to have a rich experience of getting to know the rare plants and animals in the forests.
Outside of Szczawnica, the castles of Czorsztyn and Niedzica are well worth a visit, as are national parks such as Bialowieza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Europe’s last untouched forests, a lush oasis of wilderness and home to European buffalo.
In the depths of the charming nature
The town of Štavnica, with a population of about 7,600 and an area of 8,789 hectares, is located close to the Polish-Slovakian border, in one of the most picturesque areas of the country. It straddles the borders of the Pieniny and Beskid Sadek mountains in the Krajcarice Valley, at an altitude of 430-500 metres above sea level.
Forests cover two-thirds of the area. This abundance of forests contributes to a milder climate than many other mountain resorts in Poland. Day and night temperatures do not vary greatly, it rarely rains and the air pressure is average. Winters tend to be sunny and snowy, while summers are mild.
Integrated therapeutic journey
A visit to Szczawnica is a complete healing journey for the soul, body and mind, as the unique local climate, mineral springs, resorts and therapeutic baths help treat a wide range of diseases such as urinary tract, digestive system, respiratory system and diseases of the locomotor organs. The mind is also freed from its restrictions when relaxing in the arms of the wonderful nature and the captivating gentle breeze in an invaluable healing journey.
Tourism in Szczawnica
Szczawnica is the most popular city in the region among tourists and visitors coming from the Gulf States and Europe who prefer the mountains to the beaches to spend their vacations amidst the amazing natural landmarks, where adventure lovers can discover the wonderful forests by cycling or on foot. The trip is a great opportunity to ride wooden boats or to spend a pleasant time relaxing and recovering in the natural therapeutic resorts in the embrace of the mountains that contribute to renewing life for both the mind and body.
No visit to Szczawnica is complete without a glass of the local mineral water from a small tavern in the heart of town, and a visit to the modest museum on the hilltop that houses a collection of Pieniny fashion. Although not large, the collection is worth seeing because of the embroidered jackets typical of the region.
The magic of winter tourism
Štavnica has some of the best ski slopes with trails for all skill levels, the longest being in Palenica at 2 km. The 722-metre-high Palenica Mountain can be reached by a four-person ski lift, offering fantastic views of the valley. Once there, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy a short downhill run and a small snowmobile park. The Dunjak Gorge walking and cycling trail starts at the ski lift station and runs along the southern bank of the mountain river. Near Palenica, on Zafranuka Mountain, the 700-metre-high mountain ski train is a magical attraction among children and adults alike. The biggest attraction in the area and the most exciting version is definitely the kayaking trip on the Dunjak River, where the difficulty level for water sports enthusiasts is reduced, and an unforgettable mountain rafting experience with professional guides and instructors.
A rich heritage history
Štavnica has been famous as a resort town since the mid-19th century, due to the presence of alkaline springs and wonderful weather conditions which help to treat many diseases of the respiratory and digestive systems.
The first historical mention of the resort town dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. Until the end of the 18th century, it was part of the Choztian region. In 1839, Josef Stefan Szalai took over the management of Štavnica and began the development of the spa. The middle of the 19th century saw the town develop dynamically thanks to the vision of Josef Dietl, a doctor and spa promoter who visited Štavnica in 1857. The place attracted him and helped him develop hydrotherapy activities, taking into account the standards set by other European spas, by rapidly developing new thermal facilities, as new thermal springs were discovered one after another.
Before his death, Józef Szalai handed over the management of his thermal plant to the Academy of Learning in Kraków, which continued to operate according to its founder’s vision despite financial difficulties. Thus the famous guest house “Djok Guskany” was built throughout Europe.
In 1909, Count Adam Stadnicki of Nowy Wałęsa acquired Szczawnica, and despite the war that ravaged Europe a few years later, Stadnicki’s activities were successful and the resort town benefited from continued growth, with the thermal baths being renovated, the “Gorny Park” being expanded to include “Bolony” (mountain pastures above the tree line), the inhalation department being built, which was then equipped with pressure chambers unique in Poland, and a villa under the pine trees.
Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II halted the development of the spa, and in 1948 the government of the Polish People’s Republic nationalized the spa. In 1956 the National Spa Company of Szczawnica was established, which focused its activities on occupational diseases of miners and metal workers.
In 1973, the physiotherapy spa was opened, which includes all the health equipment required for bathing, inhalation, physiotherapy and massage.
In 2005, the Polish government returned the Szczawnica spa resort to the descendants of its pre-war owners. Andrzej Mankowski, the grandson of Count Adam Stadnicki, and his three children decided to invest the necessary funds and a great deal of work to restore the resort town to its former splendor and charm, and to promote the town by inviting celebrities to spend unforgettable moments.
Medical tourism
Szczawnica is one of the oldest health resorts in Poland. Located in the Garczyk Valley, a right-bank tributary of the Donjak River, between the Pieniny and Beskid Sadek mountain ranges, the resort is the ideal destination for improving one’s overall health and the respiratory system in particular.
The resort has twelve springs of acidic mineral water, the healing properties of which were first mentioned in the 16th century. Even today, their healing properties attract patients from all over the world. That is why one of the main features of the spa is the wonderful pump room where visitors can enjoy the benefits of bicarbonate, sodium, iodine and bromide waters rich in mineral salts and many trace elements.
Panini Health Resort Spa welcomes patients to take advantage of its spas, rehabilitation and treatment centres, where 42 types of treatments are performed such as hydrotherapy, inhalation (exceptionally effective cell inhalation), physiotherapy, movement therapy and drinking therapies.
The spa specializes in the treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders, including chronic rhinitis, laryngitis, vocal tract diseases, upper respiratory allergies and bronchial asthma. Musculoskeletal disorders, i.e. degenerative disorders of the spine and joints as well as rheumatoid and rheumatic disorders.
