The History of Swieradow Zdroj (Bad Flinsberg)
Mineral water rich in radon works wonders in the southwestern Polish spa of Swieradow in the Izerskie Mountains.The first news of the healing properties of the area's waters was announced in 1539 by a special commission of Renaissance physicians, and in 1933 modern science provided firmer proof, discovering radium emanation. Until the Second World War, Swieradow, under the name of Bad Flinsberg, was a trendy German spa frequented mostly by rich Berliners.
After the war, Swieradow served as a state welfare resort in Poland's new western territories to mend the health of the working class.The political and economic changes of the last decade and Poland's European Union membership have once again turned this beautiful small town into a place not to miss visiting.
West European holidaymakers have discovered that treatment in Swieradow can be as good as one in a similar western European spa. This plus low costs of accommodation and therapy as well as Swieradow's favourable situation in the Polish-German-Czech border triangle have combined to give the little town a great opportunity to become one of the leading European spa towns.
The Attractions of the town
Swieradow, with a population of some 5 thousand, can receive up to 15 thousand guests at a time.It boasts some superb hotels that also offer health treatment centres for visitors. The town is full of beautiful architecture dating back to its hayday of the 18th and mid 19th century.
Approaching the centre of the village, visitors encounter the elegant Pijalnia Wod (Spa House),where the local mineral waters can be drunk and superb home-made apple or cheese cake eaten in the cafe. The town has a wide range of restaurants catering for all tastes from Pizzerias through to a specialist Trout farm serving freshly smoked brown trout.
Towering above Swieradow Zdroj is Swieradowiec (1002 metres above sea level), a skiable mountain offering a beautiful panorama of the Izerskie and Karkonosze mountains, and with a 1260m long ski-lift and a 310 square metre prepared area for beginners. The Izerskie Mountains have for decades been an excellent place both for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and touring, while in summer and spring it is also the best area in the region for bikers. Cross-country skiers can glide on Polana Jakuszycka (Jakuszycka Meadow), along well-prepared tracks for amateurs and professionals at the Cross-country Centre in Jakuszyce. Real mountain-men, prefering cross-country tracks through wild forests, can stay at the tiny refuge named 'Orle', and walkers and joggers can choose to follow a system of marked trails and climb Stog Izerski (1008m above sea level), visiting the newly-restored refuge of the same name
Swieradow sits on the edge of the Karkonoski National Park which stretches out across Poland and therefore enjoys views across miles upon miles of natural unspoilt mountain forests. The air and water themselves give an instant feeling of health and many city visitors are happy to just relax and soak up this rare pleasure.