Ustron
Ustron is a spa town in the administrative district of Cieszyn which is in the south-western province of Silesia. The town lies in the valley of the River Vistula that flows through the Silesian Beskids. The spa is a characteristic foothills resort that is surrounded by forested peaks, predominantly of spruce and beech trees, of Czantoria Mala, Czantoria Wielka and Rownica and has a moderately stimulating climate. In addition to the climatic conditions in the area the other therapeutic elements used within the spa are the natural mineral waters and the mud.
The name of Ustron is first mentioned in the salaries book of the Bishops of Wroclaw in 1305. The first settlers founded the village of Lower Ustron on the plain close to where the Ustron Railway station stands today. In the second half of the 16th century Upper Ustron began to emerge, near the present town centre and further upstream of the Vistula River, where Ustron Polana stands today, 12 land plots were registered in 1607. Lower and part of Upper Ustron have been owned for a long time by nobility while the remainder of Upper Ustron was owned by the Dukes of Cieszyn who finally acquired all the lands that included the villages by 1738 and the villages were merged into one in 1839. In the second half of the 18th century iron ore deposits were discovered here which led to the opening of the first iron foundry in the Duchy of Cieszyn which now started to develop as an industrial centre. In an inventory held in 1823 there was also mention of a brewery, four mills, a saw-mill, a brickyard, a lime kiln and a paper mill.
The first mention of the therapeutic possibilities of Ustron appears in the 19th century thanks to the smelting of the iron ore found here. The hot blast furnace slag, with a high content sulphur compounds, was tipped into the water that the workers used for washing. It was found that bathing in this water had a soothing result, removing the effects of fatigue and improved one’s disposition.
Stays in Ustron were primarily treated as a rest in a wonderful climate. A rise in the intensity of treatments took place in the 1960’s when a full geological survey revealed the presence of numerous deposits of natural mineral waters. These waters, mostly saline but rich in iodine and bromine, began to be used for medicinal baths but had to be diluted due to their high mineral content but swimming is recommended to help for lower limb ischemic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and diseases of the respiratory tract. The health resort also uses the properties of the therapeutic mud found in deposits at Zablocie. The health resort at Ustron specialises in treatment and rehabilitation for conditions including those after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery, post trauma and orthopaedic surgery, for musculoskeletal, neurological and blood vessel disorders and respiratory diseases. One of its distinguishing features is the implementation of specialised medical, diagnostic and rehabilitation or preventative and conditioning programmes. Of special note is the cardiology programme with a full diagnostics and rehabilitation for people with high risk of cardiovascular disease or have been diagnosed with hypertension, coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction.
Ustron is a place with excellent conditions for recreation such as mountain hiking, skiing and cycling as well as other sports. The town is beautifully situated among the picturesque slopes. The vertical distance is more than 500m between the centre of the town in the valley of the River Vistula and the Czantoria Wielka or Rownica. It is worth visiting the historic Catholic Church from 1787 with a brick tower added in 1835 and the Evangelical Church from 1835.
Ustron has varied recreational facilities for patients or visitors just looking to relax. The numerous prepared trails of varying degrees of difficulty challenge and enthral their users in every season during the year. The spa at Ustron is a resort for all those seeking an oasis overflowing with health.
