Swieradow Zdroj (Bad Flinsberg)

History of origin

In historical chronicles, the settlement of Swieradow Zdroj was first mentioned in the XII century. It was founded, most likely, by the Lusatian tribes. In the XIII century the village was known as Flinsberg, by which the resort is sometimes called even today.

The thermal springs of Swieradow Zdroj were discovered in 1783 year, although a local doctor wrote about the possible healing properties of the water in the village already in 1572 year. After research and chemical analysis, all 7 springs were found to be curative and their use was allowed for therapeutic procedures in the bathhouse. Water procedures with radon help to improve the mobility of the limbs, relieve joint pains, normalize blood circulation and blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and the general condition of the human body.

The first spa house in Swieradow Zdroj was built in 1899 year, at the same time a colonnade with a walking gallery leading to the thermal springs appeared in the town. On the border of the XIX and XX centuries, the city was reconstructed to make it greener, and the spa park gained a well-tended and blossoming appearance. Nowadays Swieradow Zdroj resort offers its guests not only full recreation, but also complex recovery in modernized clinics with modern equipment.

Attractions

Swieradow Zdroj offers its guests a wide range of leisure activities: you can spend time in the pool and sauna, exercise in the gym or learn to play big tennis, go to a musical concert, participate in theme parties and shows, go to a disco and take advantage of all the possibilities of a classic resort town.

In the winter season the resort turns into a recreation center, where you can go skiing. The city is surrounded by high mountain peaks, overgrown with deciduous and coniferous forests, which have been laid slopes for skiing and snowboarding, in particular - professional downhill of 2500 meters. For beginners and intermediate skiers there are specialized areas where you can improve yourself under the guidance of a trainer. All slopes are equipped with artificial lighting and protective barriers. There is a separate course for snowboarders with a couple of dozens of obstacles. The mountain range tops are accessible by cable cars operating from December to March and equipped with modern gondola lifts.

The main attraction of the resort is the Spa House (Health House), built by the Count's family Schaffgotsch in 1781 year. The building has a classical style and is decorated with an impressive 46-metre high clock tower, which now contains a wellness centre. The Villa Fabrykanta is also of interes. This nineteenth-century building, formerly owned by a wealthy cotton trader, is an entire mini palace complex. Now the villa has been renovated and has become a spa hotel, where you can stay for a holiday in Swieradow Zdroj. Another architectural landmark of the resort is the Church of St. Joseph. The cathedral was built in the XIX century on the money of Countess von Schaffgotsch. The church is made with medieval stylization, decorated at the ends with two towers, the windows are decorated with beautiful stained-glass windows with scenes of biblical themes.

There are legendary ruins in Swieradow Zdroj. For example, in one of the streets you can come across the now neglected tower building constructed in 1803 year by Count von Gersdorf. The count was a huge lover of astronomy and built a tower with the poetic name "My Pleasure" to watch the stars from its to. Also of interest is the Gersdorf Palace, which also belonged to a lover of astronomy with the title of Count, although after his death passed to the Count von Hesse-Rothenburg. But the palace turned out to be unhappy and has since passed from hand to hand. Until 1903 year, even the banker and the prince were on the list of owners. The building is now in private ownership and is slowly being restored, but the appearance of the palace is quite suggestive of what it was like when it was built in 1767 year. The three-storey building is closer to the Rococo, with a majestic external staircase, a spacious courtyard in the form of a horseshoe, elegant attics decorated with stucco gables and arched windows.

Inquisitive guests of Swieradow Zdroj are invited to visit the main spa museum, where they can learn all about the history of the town and its spa traditions. Of particular interest is the hall with an exhibition on the spa activities of the town and the main natural factor - samples of minerals, water from springs and therapeutic mud.

In the evening you can go for a walk to the Resort Park, which was founded back in the XIX century. The park was planned by architect Karl Grosser, thanks to whom there are falling terraces framed by stairs leading to an artificial picturesque grotto. It is also worth visiting the central street of the Swieradow Zdroj - Kurortnaya. Here you will find not only most of the souvenir shops, but also the symbol of the resort - a bas-relief with a frog. On the Swieradow Zdroj coat of arms it is no coincidence that besides knights and heraldic animals you can also find a real frog. It was the dead green frog lying for weeks without decaying in water that led scientists to think about the curative nature of the spring.