Wysowa-Zdroj
Wysowa-Zdroj is a spa village in the municipality of Uscie Gorlickie in Gorlice District that is in Lesser Poland Province. It lies in the valley of the River Ropa not far from the town of Uscie Gorlickie and has become known for its therapeutic mineral waters. The resort has the characteristics of a highland spa with a mountain climate that is mildly stimulating and moderated by the forested areas, mainly of beech, spruce, fir and maple, which grow on the hilly slopes that surround Wysowa-Zdroj. The valley of the River Ropa, where Wysowa-Zdroj lies, is surrounded on three sides by the mountains of the south-western, the highest part of the Low Beskid Range.
There is a lack of documentary evidence about Wysowa prior to the mid 14th century. In 1359 the lands around the upper regions of the Ropa River and the estates around Zdynia were given to Jan Gladysz by King Kazimierz Wielki and a settlement was founded. At the beginning of the 15th century it began expanding rapidly due to its location along an important trade route leading through the Carpathian Mountains. In Wysowa there were warehouses of Hungarian wines imported by Greek and Armenian merchants. In a work „Along the Lemkos Routes”, published in 1939, Dr Krystyna Pieradzka wrote „….even till recent times there were two vast cellars beneath the market square that could each hold up to 300 barrels, but they have now been filled in”. One of the many customs stations in the region existed here up until 1848.
The Gladysz family owned Wysowa till the end of the 16th century and they were followed by the Brzezinski, Zborowski and the Tarlow families till 1760. The healing properties of the climate and waters were already known in the 18th century. The successive owner was Maciej Lanckoronski who „attributed his vigorous health” thanks to bathing in the therapeutic waters of Wysowa. The first facilities for bathing were built in Wysowa in 1808 along with suitable accommodation for patients which had 8 rooms but poor connections with the town discouraged potential visitors. It was not until the late 19th century, when the road between Ropa and Wysowa was modernised, did the number of patients increase to around 2000 per year. At the same time the sources of the springs and resort facilities were tidied up, the water underwent chemical analysis and its healing properties identified. Most of the buildings and facilities were destroyed during World War I and the spa resort was not reactivated till 1959.
The natural mineral carbonated waters, rich in bicarbonates, sodium and chlorides had a highly diverse mineralisation and form the basis of the majority of treatments or balneotherapy available in Wysowa-Zdroj. Today the health resort has modern spa facilities, state of the art equipment and highly trained personnel. Treatments in Wysowa-Zdroj include those for diseases of the digestive system, respiratory and urinary tract, bones and joints, muscles and connective tissues and conditions arising after mastectomies. Wysowa-Zdroj is the only spa resort in Poland which operates an Extracorporeal Dialysis Centre.
One of the major advantages of Wysowa is its unpolluted environment and the intimacy of this valley resort is highlighted by its picturesque surroundings. The nearby mountains are easily accessible which encourages walking and hiking tours. The Spa Park with is mineral water tap room, swimming pool and its numerous trails for summer and winter tours make stays for patients more enjoyable. For those looking for peace and quiet or just to get away from the clamour of everyday life, Wysowa-Zdroj offers the ideal conditions for undisturbed rest.
