Dlugopole-Zdroj

Długopole-Zdrój, a spa village located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship of Poland, has a population of around 500 residents. Situated in Kłodzko County inside the Bystrzyca Kłodzka commune, this charming community runs roughly one kilometer along the Nysa Kłodzka River. Długopole-Zdrój provides a calm surroundings ideal for health and leisure, located in the Bystrzyca Kłodzka Depression at 370 to 400 meters above sea level.

Długopole-Zdrój’s history begins in the 14th century; the first known reference is from 1346 when the von Glubos family from Szczerba Castle was given the neighboring hamlet. Over the ages, the area has experienced notable changes from a little rural community to a well-known European spa travel destination.

Early on, the area’s economy revolved mostly around milling and agriculture. Owned by the von Glubos family, a significant mill was given to the hospital in Bystrzyca Kłodzka in 1381 and produced earnings almost 250 years later. The founding of an alum mine in 1563 started the area’s industrial potential to show itself in the 16th century. But the Thirty Years’ War brought unanticipated events that would define Długopole-Zdrój’s future.

The fall of the Gab Gottes (God’s Tread) at this turbulent time produced water with carbonic acid, therefore making further alum extraction difficult. Though at first viewed as a setback, this incident would prove to be a turning point in the history of the hamlet. Dr. C. Ohm noted the possibilities inherent in the local resources in 1705 and included the Długopol ferrous spring in his list of therapeutic springs in Silesia and Kłodzko County.

Długopole-Zdrój first became known as a spa destination in 1762 when a local miller called Wolf set a bathing pool next to his house fed with ferrous water. This small deed set the groundwork for what would grow to be a busy health resort. The official establishment of the correct spa, known across Europe as Bad Langenau, in 1802 signalled the start of systematic therapeutic treatments in the region.

Early in the 19th century, the ownership of the spa changed multiple times; each transition brought fresh advancements. Overlooking the Emilia spring, the first wooden pump room and spa house were built in 1819, improving the resort’s amenities. But Długopole-Zdrój underwent its most active period of growth under the direction of Dr. Julius Hancke from Wrocław starting in 1839.

Dr. Hancke’s investments resulted in the building of several guesthouses, medical clinics, and leisure spaces. Expanding the Spa Park produced a lush haven for guests to relax. The addition of peat treatments in 1844 added still another level of therapeutic variation to the spa’s services.

For Długopole-Zdrój, the later half of the 19th century saw major infrastructure upgrades. Building a railway connection in 1875 and then a train station in 1882 substantially improved accessibility, therefore enabling more people to benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the spa. The spa’s position as a top health destination was strengthened by the finding of fresh water sources like the Renata spring in 1904 and the Eliza spring in 1876.

Leo Lange and then his son-in-law, Paul Pollok owned the spa from 1926 and 1945. Operating as a seasonal resort, Długopole-Zdrój welcomed visitors mostly in the summer. The spa’s popularity and the quality of its facilities were evident when it could host up to 700 guests during its height.

The start of World War II changed Długopole-Zdrój fundamentally. A forest military hospital was built on the health resort. Although the town itself came out of the war quite unharmed, most of the spa equipment was either taken or moved to other areas of Germany, leaving the once-thriving resort in a mess.

For Długopole-Zdrój, the post-war age represented a fresh chapter in its history. It became an independent town in 1945, and the Długopole-Zdrój State Spa Company opened some of the guesthouses and spa hospitals the next year. The true rebirth of the spa started in 1956 when a rehabilitation center focused in the treatment of patients recuperating from viral hepatitis opened.

Continual development and modernization defined the 1960s and 1970s. Between 1958 and 1964 the Natural Medicine Institute was rebuilt; the spa park reopened in 1970. Długopole-Zdrój formed a bigger organizational complex in 1966 when he was administratively merged with another well-known spa in the Kłodzko Valley, Lądek-Zdrój.

Długopole-Zdrój is today a multifarious health resort providing treatments for a variety of diseases. The spa specializes in rheumatological illnesses, diabetes, digestive system diseases, orthopedic and traumatic diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, blood and hematological system diseases. One of its special products is the so-called dry carbon dioxide baths, which have shown helpful for several conditions.

The main therapeutic emphasis of the spa is liver illnesses, which are especially treatable with the alkaline waters. Długopole-Zdrój also now offers treatment for diabetes, neurosis, gastrointestinal illnesses, and rehabilitation for women following mastectomy. Those with circulatory system problems and asthma will find particular benefit from the region’s temperate temperature.

Modern Długopole-Zdrój health resort features three health resort hospitals (Mieszko, Ondraszek, and Dąbrówka), a health resort sanatorium (Fortuna), a health resort clinic, and a state-of-the-art natural medicine center. Along with exploring the health paths meandering through the gorgeous surroundings, visitors can enjoy the well kept spa park with its pump room.

Długopole-Zdrój’s therapeutic offers center on three sources of medicinal water. Slightly mineralized water full of bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, radon, and iron comes from the “Emilia” spring. Mineral water with increased concentrations of bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and iron is provided by the “Kazimierz” absorption. Finally, the “Renata” spring produces mineral water plentiful in bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, silica, and iron. Every one of these sources adds to the variety of treatments available at the spa thereby enabling individualized therapeutic approaches.