Polanica-Zdrój

Polanica-Zdroj is widely known as one of the best Polish health resorts. This charming town in Lower Silesia is also an important cultural resort, holding film festivals and sport tournaments. Moreover, its location in the Middle Sudetes makes Polanica a popular destination for mountain biking and skiing enthusiasts.

Polanica-Zdrój TOURISM

Polanica-Zdroj is a Europe-wide famous spa resort with many water springs and wellness-rooms. However, it is worth noting that Polanica is also a perfect place for hiking enthusiasts as well as, due to its ideal location near Zieleniec, a good destination for skiers.

Polanica is a paradise also for keen mountain bikers who come from all over Poland and abroad. Due to its diversified and steep terrains, Klodzko County is a good training ground for cyclists. Polanica also has a challenging bike route called the “hellish loop”. Many prestigious sports events, for instance the Bike Marathon MTB or Memorial Chess Tournament (honouring a great Polish Grandmaster), take place here. Another notable event is the annual amateur film festival POL-8.

GEOGRAPHY

Polanica-Zdroj, a popular spa resort in Lower Silesia, is in the southwest of Poland. Geographically, it is situated in the Middle Sudetes, in the Klodzko County. The town lies approximately 11 km from Klodzko and 89 km from the regional capital Wroclaw. The River Bystrzyca Dusznicka divides Polanica into two parts.
The resort is quite small with a total area of 17.22 km2 and a population of 6,891. However, the visitor number increases greatly during winter and summer seasons. Due to its mild mountain climate and mineral water springs that aid people with circulatory system and digestive tract ailments, Polanica-Zdroj attracts thousands of tourists every year.

HISTORY

The first records of Polanica-Zdroj date from 1347. At that time it existed under the name of Heyde and belonged to the House of Glaubitz (knights from Silesia).

Water springs in Polanica became famous for their healing properties in as early as the 16th century. In 1595 the Jesuits came into ownership of the resort, built their residence here and began to utilise the springs. In 1645, during the Thirty Years’ War, the town was completely destroyed by the Swedes, and it was only in the 19th century when it began to recover. The most significant part of the history of Polanica was in 1828, when Joseph Gromls, a rich merchant from Klodzko, purchased it. Gromls developed the infrastructure of the water springs, built a wellness-room and a wooden bathhouse.

Polanica-Zdroj became popular as a health resort in the 1870s. At that time only two out of five springs were in use. Later some new ones were discovered and a plan to develop the resort was made. As a result of the project, a comfortable bathing establishment with modern hydrotherapy equipment was set up. By 1910, fifty new hotels were built in Polanica.

In between 1930 and 1939, the growth of the resort was stable. The town was well known all over Europe and attracted many people with cardiac conditions. These days Polanica-Zdroj is considered one of the best spa resorts in Poland.