Duszniki-Zdrój is a picturesque spa town, which is eagerly visited by tourists. It is famous for its Spa Park, Water Pump Room, as well as many other attractions. Few people wonder, however, what is the history of Dusznik-Zdrój. In this text we will tell the history of a popular health resort — from the beginnings until today.
Where did the name Duszniki-Zdrój come from?
Before we present Duszniki and the history of this place in more detail, it is necessary to explain where the name Duszniki-Zdrój came from at all. Well, for the first time, the Polish name Duśniki and the German name Reinerz were mentioned in the book of Silesian writer Józef Lomp “A short scratch of Szląsk's jeography for initial science”, which was published in 1847 in Głogówek. However, until 1945, another German name was used — Bad Reinerz. It was not until 1946 that the Polish name Duszniki-Zdrój was officially established.
Beginnings of Dusznik-Zdrój
How old are Duszniki-Zdrój? The first mention of this city dates back to 1324, while the official uprising of Dusznik took place only in 1346, when it received city rights, which was the result of a location based on the so-called German law. Initially, the city profited primarily from trade, iron mining and the composition of goods that were transported along the route from the Kingdom of Bohemia all the way to Silesia.
The history of Dusznik-Zdrój indicates an important moment of its annexation in 1477 in the county of Kłodzko. In turn, in the 15th century, the first mention of the medicinal source “Zimny Zdrój” was recorded — in time hydrotherapy will play a key role in the development of the town. But not yet, in the middle of the 14th century, metallurgy dominated Duszniki, and at the end the paper and weaving industry, then a church dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul was built. In 1584 the town hall was erected and in 1562 a paper mill still in operation today.
In 1618, the hitherto peaceful history of Dusznik-Zdrój was disturbed by the Thirty Years' War, which halted the development of the city. It was revived only in the second half of the 17th century, becoming an important centre for paper production, weaving and the cloth trade. In 1748, a study of mineral springs was also carried out for the first time.
Read also: Market Square in Dusznika-Zdrój. What to see in the Old Town?
Duszniki-Zdrój — the history of the health resort
This gave rise to hydrotherapy, for which Duszniki-Zdrój are now known. The history of the spa as such began in 1769, when “Zimny Zdrój” was included in the official list of medicinal sources. In turn, in 1777 a brochure was published in Wrocław, which contained the chemical composition of the waters, their medical use and other results of the conducted research. This gave rise to the first therapeutic treatments in “Zimny Zdrój” — starting in 1797, they took place in six baths in a makeshift shed. At the same time, the “Summer Zdrój” was also discovered, or the current “Chopin's Pieniawa”, which to this day is one of the sources for which Duszniki is famous. The history of the health resort continued very dynamically. In 1802, the first pavilions, bathing facilities were built, the first inns and a “social house” were built. The beginning of the 19th century was the time when Duszniki-Zdrój was already considered a popular health resort in the region. In 1817, the “Source of Urlyki” (now “Jan Kazimierz”) was discovered, in 1862 new bathrooms were erected (today Zakład Naturdoleczniczy), while in 1877 a palm house and a concert hall, currently called the Zdrojowa Pijalnia.
World Wars I and II slowed down a bit the pace at which Duszniki had developed so far. However, the history of this city began to write itself again after the end of World War II, when it was granted in Poland (previously belonging to Prussia). In 1958-1962, the existing mineral water intakes were reconstructed, new ones were built and a major renovation of the water pump room was carried out. A health resort and holiday resort has started, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the hematopoietic, circulatory and respiratory tract, among others.
In 1998, the history of Dusznik-Zdrój was marked by an unfortunate event, namely the city was destroyed by a flood, as a result of which part of Zdrojow and the Zdrojowy Park suffered in particular. Fortunately, it is now vain to look for the effects of the floods, because they have been removed and the objects that have suffered have been carefully renovated. To this day, the town enjoys the interest of tourists and curators who come to it from all over Poland, and the network of accommodation facilities, cafes and restaurants continues to grow. Comfortable rooms and apartments in Zieleniec, part of Dusznik-Zdrój are offered by Resort Szarotka. We invite you to visit!
Photo: Jacek Halicki CC BY 3.0
