The Mineral Waters of Krynica

Without the mineral waters there wouldn't be Krynica as we know it today. The status of Krynica as a health resort town is inextricably linked with its Spa-related chapter of history, now over 200 years long. The first resort building was Mały Domek, 'The Little House', a building hosting the first baths since 1804. Three years later the town had been granted a status of a health resort, and was appoited a professional MD.

The genuine boom for Krynica started owing to Prof. Józef Dietl from Krakow's Jagiellonian University, the father of Polish balneology, who in 1920's rendered Krynica and its mineral water springs famous nationwide. Today the town has got a total of 23 intakes, with 5 natural springs and 18 wells. Each type of Krynica's mineral waters have been given a name, sometimes with a history of its own:  

ZDRÓJ GŁÓWNY - 'The Main Spring', pronounced /'zdrooy 'gwuhvneh/ is a 0.32% bicarbonate-calcium and manganese water with a high content of carbonic acid anhydride. It is used in digestive disorders, certain stomach diseases (e.g. rhinitis), as well as anemia and endocrine disorders.

SŁOTWINKA - pronounced /swot'feenka/ is a 0.32% bicarbonate-calcium and manganese water with a high content of carbonic acid anhydride. It is used in treating chronic gastrointestinal tract diseases, atherosclerosis, endocrine disorders, urinary disorders, and diseases resulting from magnesium deficiency (e.g. neurosis, stress, etc.).

JAN - pronounced /yahn/; the water's name comes from a handman named Jan, who used to bring the water from one nameless spring to patients in therapy. The water is highly carbonated, but less mineralized, with a predominance of calcium bicarbonate. It's highly diuretic, ideal for the treatment of kidney stones and chronic inflammation of the urinary tract, and for the diabetics, as it reduces the blood cholesterol level.

ZUBER - pronounced /zoo'behr/; the most unique and therefore valuable of Krynica springs. One of the strongest mineral waters in Europe, highly carbonated, with bicarbonate-calcium, sodium bicarbonate-magnesium and boron. It helps in the treatment of hyperacidity, used for gastrointestinal disorders, mainly in the treatment of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, liver, biliary tract and diabetes. Alleviates the painful symptoms of alcohol abuse. Its name comes from Rudolf Zuber, a renowned 19th century Polish geologist. 

JÓZEF - pronounced /yoo'zeph/; highly carbonated mineral water with bicarbonate-calcium component. Intensively diuretic. Used to treat diseases of the urinary tract and kidney, as well as in certain diseases of the digestive tract, and anemia.

MIECZYSŁAW - pronounced /meeah'tshih-swahf/; highly carbonated mineral water with bicarbonate-calcium component. Used for diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys, destroy flare and anemia.

TADEUSZ - pronounced /tah'daeush/; bicarbonate-calcium type, with a high content of iron. Used in stomach hyperacidity, small intestine disorders, ulcerative colitis, anemia, as well as in certain allergic gastrointestinal diseases.

KRYNICZANKA - pronounced /kryh-nee'tshan-kah/; a commercially available water, made of demineralised Zdrój Główny water; very tasty and refreshing.