Iwonicz Zdrój - trails and attractions in the area
Iwonicz Zdrój is one of the oldest Polish health resorts. This small town is located among the so-called Rymanów Hills in the Bukowsko Upland and is known for its intimate atmosphere, rich network of trails and local walking paths in the area.
Iwonicz-Zdrój Health Resort: history and trivia
The history of the health resort in the valley of the Iwonicz Stream, also affectionately called "Iwonka", dates back to the times of Stefan Batory, whose court doctor, Wojciech Oczko, described the healing properties of the local springs as early as the end of the 16th century!
However, the town flourished only in the first half of the 19th century, thanks to the marriage of Amelia and Karol Załuski. It was during their time that the famous buildings of Iwonicz, modeled on the fashionable Swiss style, were built. One of the buildings was even designed by Amelia Załuska herself - it's the so-called Old Palace, once a family residence, today - the seat of the health resort management.
No wonder that the health resort managed to impress! Prof. J. Dietl stated that Iwonicz is the "prince of iodine waters".
From those times in Iwonicz Zdrój, as many as 22 historic buildings (from the 19th and early 20th centuries) have survived to this day, as well as the memory of their distinguished guests: Eliza Orzeszkowa, Jan Matejko (who painted the foundation of the local church by Bishop Iwon Odrowąż, unfortunately the painting is missing) and Wincenty Pol (a poet, whose monument we can find at the Bełkotka spring).
An interesting "accent" in the history of Iwonicz was also World War II, when in the summer of 1944, the power in the city was taken over by AK partisans, creating the independent Republic of Iwonicz, independent of the occupation authorities.
Attractions in Iwonicz Zdrój
Apart from a walk combined with admiring the historic buildings of the health resort, you should definitely try the local mineral waters. The first sources, discovered in the 19th century, were named after the Załuski couple ("Amelia" and "Karol") and Karol's brother - "Józef". Today, in the beautiful drinking hall, for a small fee, we can try water from the sources Karol, Klimkówka, Iza, Iwonicz, Elin. Natural cosmetics are also produced based on Iwonicz waters.
Note! Due to the high content of bromine and iodine, Iwonicz waters are not recommended for people suffering from coronary diseases, hyperthyroidism and cancer.
In the southern part of the town, you will find sports facilities: a public swimming pool, sports fields, playgrounds and an amphitheater, while to the west of the historic center: a new Spa Park with a saline graduation tower and the forest alley of Wincenty Pol up the Bełkotka stream.
Iwonicz Zdrój - walking paths and trails in the area
Around the health resort, a rich network of walking paths has been marked, mainly through the surrounding forests.
As part of a longer walk, we suggest a walking trip to the neighboring health resort: Rymanów Zdrój. We have two routes to choose from: a forest one along the red trail and a slightly longer, but more scenic one along the green trail through Przymiarki.
Here is a detailed description of both routes, which you can combine into a loop: get to Rymanów Zdrój by one of them, and return by the other.
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Green trail through Przymiarki from Iwonicz to Rymanów
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Red Trail from Rymanów to Iwonicz
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