Szczawnica Resort: Poland's Health Gem Embraced by the Pieniny Mountains!
Szczawnica Resort: Poland's Health Gem Embraced by the Pieniny Mountains!
Salah Soliman
Salah.soliman@gmx.de
The resort is home to 12 types of acidic ground springs. According to Bernadetta Kozubska from the resort’s management, these waters are rich in minerals and trace elements, which is why the resort became renowned for treating respiratory and nervous system disorders, allergies, muscle and bone disorders, joint and spine inflammation, and rheumatic diseases. The resort offers 42 types of treatments, all water-based, with doctors and qualified staff ensuring that treatments are chosen and applied correctly. Therefore, patients undergo thorough medical examinations before starting treatment to ensure suitability.
The surrounding natural environment, the captivating scenery, the quality of food, and the absence of air pollution all contribute to improved health and fitness at the resort. The surrounding plains, dense forests, and the Dunajec River, along with the idyllic rural atmosphere, create an ideal setting for relaxation and comfort. These natural surroundings are some of Poland's most beautiful, making it a perfect place for those seeking recovery and peace.
Accommodation options in Szczawnica vary widely, catering to all tastes and budgets. We enjoyed staying at the five-star “Pieniny Grand Hotel,” which offered us a magnificent view of the mountain peaks from the upper floors. The visit took place in autumn, with the vibrant colors of the trees adding to the breathtaking scenery.
The resort offers a comprehensive and comfortable experience for guests, combining all the necessary amenities such as saunas, swimming pools, and spa facilities. Polish restaurants specializing in traditional dishes based on regional recipes, along with cheese and honey produced by local villagers, are abundant throughout the area, offering delicious meals.
Activities in Szczawnica continue year-round. In winter, skiing becomes the primary attraction, while in spring and summer, outdoor activities like hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and rafting on the Dunajec River take center stage.
The Stadnicki family, owners of the resort, plans to execute several projects after regaining ownership in 2005. The Polish government had approved the return of the property after the family filed a request for restitution. The resort had been nationalized by the communist government in 1948 and converted into a health facility for miners, teachers, construction workers, and paper industry laborers. Now, Andrzej Mankowski, the grandson of Count Adam Stadnicki, and his wife are working to restore the resort to its former splendor and bring it to international competition. In 2008, they reopened the old water well in the town square and launched the “Hellenika Café,” a unique blend of traditional architecture and modern design.
The peaks of the “Trzy Korony” Mountains offer one of the most beautiful sights in Szczawnica. The "Korony" peak is the highest in the Pieniny range, reaching 982 meters above sea level. It was renamed “Trzy Korony” (Three Crowns) in the last century after the beautiful limestone rock formations. Visitors can reach the peak via metal staircases, and several hiking trails lead to it from different directions, each offering a unique view of the mountains.
A must-try activity while visiting the mountains and the resort is the famous wooden rafting trip on the Dunajec River, which forms the border between Poland and Slovakia. These rafts date back to the 19th century and are listed in the national heritage register. The rafting journey takes about 90 minutes, with the distance covered ranging between 12 and 18 kilometers, depending on the port of departure: Szczawnica or Sromowiec Niżne. The ticket prices are 49 Polish złoty for adults and 24.50 złoty for children and concessions.
The raft guides wear traditional attire, which includes white shirts, blue vests richly embroidered with colorful flowers, and woolen trousers adorned with red elements. They also wear special shepherd’s shoes and black hats. Each raft is steered by two guides, one at the front and one at the back, using a long stick resembling an oar. The rafting season runs from April 1st to the end of October, and each raft consists of five narrow boats assembled using wooden beams. After the journey ends, the raft is dismantled and returned to the starting point for reuse.
The nature on both sides of the Dunajec River is rich with rare plants and birds. During the rafting trip, visitors can enjoy the tranquility, bird songs, and the stunning natural landscapes. The three mountain peaks, rising to 982 meters, crown the surrounding area. The river itself is full of sharp bends, with nine major turns adding excitement to the rafting experience.
Around 200 rafts operate on this route, showing the high demand for this heritage activity, which has been passed down through generations. The raft guide who led our trip said he is the third generation in his family to take up the profession, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, and hopes to pass it on to his son.
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