The wooden heart of the spa

Multicultural Tylicz

Krynica-Zdrój is a climatic spa which would not be as climatic but for Dietl’s Boulevards and wooden villas which are located by them. They are situated in a row by the Kryniczanka Stream, beautifully decorated with ornaments and colours. They were erected in the second half of the 19th century when Józef Dietl had developed the spa to such an extent that it had become trendy among artists and aristocrats. Guest houses modelled on the villas from famous Swiss resorts were built for them. Going from the north, we pass green ‘Wisła’ where Emilia Burzyńska, the Jagiellonian University professor’s widow, invited young ladies from good homes who were looking for a husband in Krynica-Zdrój. Then, we can see ‘Witoldówka’ built by Dr Skórczewski (and named in honour of his son) who ran a dietician centre – very modern as for those times. Next to it, there is a bright-coloured ‘Tatrzańska’ – a reconstruction of a totally consumed by the fire villa built in 2021. If we move further, we will see ‘Małopolanka’ with ‘the House of Coffee and Wine’ and, last but not least, proudly presenting ‘Romanówka’ which houses the Museum of Nikifor.

If we are in Krynica, we ought to visit the small Park Church (the wooden Church of Mother of God of

Częstochowa) This is another wooden site which was erected in 1863 thanks to health visitors who funded its construction as they wanted to have their own temple in the spa part of Krynica-Zdrój. The church was built on the site of a small chapel where only a priest with a server were able to stand. It is called the Park Church as it is situated in the area of the Spa Park. The building is inspired by Orthodox architecture but some baroque features are visible as well. It is an octagon combined with a cross designed by Feliks Księżarski who was well-known in Krynica.

The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God (currently it serves as the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ) can be visited in Słotwiny in Krynica-Zdrój. Słotwiny, which is a district of the town, used to be a village inhabited in large numbers by Lemko people. Before the Second World War 600 Lemkos, 100 Catholics and 150 Jews had lived in the place. The Orthodox Church was erected at the end of the 19th century (on the site of a previous one which had been consumed by the fire). Only a part of the iconostasis survived out of the whole ecclesiastical equipment – the majority was moved from the Orthodox church which was in the spa part of Krynica.

The Swiss style

Villas of Krynica are designed in the Swiss style. It was a fashionable style, frequently chosen in Polish resorts in the 19th century. The style, as we can easily guess, originated in Switzerland, in Alpine resorts. It is inspired by the architecture of Alpine highlanders – especially the ones from the vicinity of Tirol, hence, it is also known as the Tirol style. It is mainly used in the case of spa buildings, guest houses or villas. What are its distinguishing features? First of all, all the constructions are made of wood, they have numerous balconies and terraces (to sunbathe, of course!). Facades are decorated with woodcarving – geometrical and floral patterns prevail. Carvings are often sophisticated since it is easy to carve in wood. The Swiss style equals gable roofs with towers.