BIAWENA SPA CENTRE

A SANATORIUM WYSOWA-ZDRÓJ

The project ‘The support of small and medium-sized enterprises which operate in tourism and increasing the recognisability of Lesser Poland as a tourist economic brand’ (no RPMP.03.03.01-12-0593/18) co-funded by the European Union as a part of the Regional Operational Programme of Lesser Poland for the years 2014 – 2020. the Foundation for the Development of Regions www.f-rr.org the Association of Polish Spa Communities www.sgurp.pl

Realization:

Art Manager: Konrad Rogoziński

Text: Maria Kościelniak

Proofreading: Agata Kościelniak

Translation: Ewelina Natanek-Rogozińska

Design: Klaudia Stochmal

Typesetting Klaudia Stochmal

Photographies: © Konrad Rogoziński / DigitalPlaces.pl

Apart from:

A spa between mountains

The main town of Uście Gorlickie Commune, located by the Slovak border, is Wysowa-Zdrój. It is tucked into a mountainous valley and attracts visitors with peace and picturesque scenery. Additionally, it is one of the biggest centres of tourism in the Low Beskids.

The first record of Wysowa Spa dates back to the 17th century. Sobczak, the brigand, together with his comrades are said to have been healing with the local waters. The healing qualities of waters in Wysowa were also appreciated by Earl Maciej Lanckoroński in the 18th century who claimed that annual baths in the waters had hardened his body.

The year 1812 is regarded as the beginning of the spa character of the place. In this year, a local economist, Ignacy Zychowicz, constructed a spa building with 6 bathrooms and 9 rooms. Soon, the first guest houses appeared. Wysowa started attracting health visitors and since the paved road from Ropa appeared (1876) people could witness a dynamic development of the resort. New wooden buildings of the spa were constructed gradually. Moreover, a stylish water pump room was built according to the design of Karol Stryjeński. In the 1880s the exploration of local mineral waters was launched.

From 1887 ‘Józef’, ‘Olga’, ‘Rudolf’, ‘Bronisław’ and ‘Słony’ were bottled.

The resort was destroyed during the First World War after which the land was bought by the partnership of doctors from Cracow. Thanks to their endeavours, the spa infrastructure was rebuilt. Unfortunately, another war caused large-scale destruction and Wysowa itself became a military base for the German army. After the Second World War, the spa fell into oblivion. In 1959 ‘Wysowa Spa’, a national company, was created and brought the spa back to life. In the 1960s and 1970s the majority of sanatoria were erected. After 1999, the company was bought by a joint entity of Polish companies.

At present, Wysowa-Zdrój is popular and enjoys recognition among health visitors and tourists. The spa offers 14 mineral water intakes and these are, first and foremost, acidulous sodium-hydrogen-carbonate-chloride and sodium-carbonate-calcium waters. Furthermore, Wysowianka contains a lot of natural iodine, especially vital as mountainous air lacks this element. On the basis of local springs, ‘Wysowianka’ mineral water is still produced there.

A spa with a history

Biawena Spa Centre is a part of Uzdrowisko Wysowa S.A. (Wysowa Spa JSC) which was established in 1959 so it has been operating for over 60 years. Spa treatment, rehabilitation and production of ‘Wysowianka’ mineral and healing waters are within its expertise.

Biawena was modernised and an inside and outside Spa complex with conference rooms, dining rooms, renovated rooms and a hall and a reception was added to it. There is also a modern, analytical laboratory which offers a wide selection of tests. Uzdrowisko Wysowa S.A. can boast of many distinctions, for instance, the title of ‘Gazela Biznesu’ (‘Business Gazelle’) and ‘Gepard Biznesu’ (‘Business Cheetah’).

A spa with a view of the Low Beskids

Biawena is situated on the slope of Gródek (712 m) and from its windows we can admire a beautiful view of the centre of Wysowa and nearby mountains. Behind it, there are just dense woods of the Beskids. The centre, apart from a treatment zone, offers a recreation and Spa area where you can relax in a Finnish or a herbal sauna, a steam room and cooling spots (a wooden tub, a shower bucket, an icefall). There is an indoor and outdoor jacuzzi, a Kneipp’s path and a relaxation area with a mini brine graduation tower and a salt wall. A swimming pool with a hydromassage, a waterfall, a countercurrent and an air geyser is also at guests’ disposal.

Biawena Spa Centre has their own line of cosmetics WySPA which are based on mineral waters from Wysowa-Zdrój.

Sauna evenings

Biawena organises sauna ceremonies called sauna evenings run by sauna masters which last a few hours. Guests can relax in a dry sauna with stones which are poured with water and ethereal oils. A sauna master with a use of a towel or a fan makes waves of aromatic, hot air. Such sessions last several minutes – between them guests cool in a swimming pool, a barrel, under a shower, an icefall or in a jacuzzi. They can also hydrate with Wysowianka mineral water.

Every sauna evening has a motif presented by a sauna master at the beginning. Between sessions one can also take advantage of a peeling or have some snacks.

High-standard accommodation

Biawena Spa Centre offers 190 accommodation places in 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-person rooms. Every room has a bathroom, a TV and Internet access. Guests can choose from apartment, lux, premium and standard types of rooms.

Apart from a SPA & Wellness zone, there is a fitness room, outside chess, a volleyball court, table tennis, table football, darts and a library. An Internet cafe is an additional advantage and children will definitely enjoy a play room.