Spa
Duszniki - Zdrój
The Duszniki-Zdrój health resort is situated on an old commercial route running from Prague, in the Czech Republic, to Wrocław. Duszniki lies in a narrow valley of Bystrzyca Dusznicka, surrounded by the Bystrzyckie Mountains on one side and the Orlickie Mountains on the other. Six kilometres from the spa, 600 m a.s.l., there is a vast peat bog known as “Topieliska”, which is a nature reserve. It has a multitude of plant species that have survived since the ice age. They are usually encountered only in tundra and nclude Iceland moss, dwarf birch, and Siberian pine. The Orlickie Mountains form a monolith mountain range at 1000 m a.s.l., covered with forest. They are made mostly of granites, shales and gneisses. Duszniki is surrounded by vast forests. The most common trees are: spruce, beech, pine and birch. The undergrowth is created by rowans, red elderberry and ferns. In the groundover we can encounter cowberries, mushrooms and raspberries. Forest glades and meadows are covered by numerous plants, including protected species, such as globe-flower (known as the “Kłodzko rose”) stemless carline thistle, pasque flower, and common snowdrop.
The climate of Duszniki has specific properties that can be particularly felt in the spa. The resort lies at 588 m a.s.l., whereas the climate resembles one typical of altitudes of 1000 m a.s.l. The climate of Duszniki has certain features of a subalpine climate to. In the 13th century the then area of the Duszniki spa used to be occupied by a village owned by a miniature country ruled by magnates – Homole. The village developed once a rich vein of iron ore was discovered. Due to the exploitation of the deposits, the village was transformed into a town in 1346. The town quickly prospered and grew wealthy, also because it was situated on a commercial route. Such a location encouraged frequent attacks during wars. After one such attack exploitation of the ore was discontinued. In 1562 the first guild of cloth makers was established, accompanied by development of the papermaking industry. In the 17th and 18th century weaving manufactories were opened in Duszniki to produce baize and flannel.
The history of the town is inseparably connected with the history of the spa. It was established after large quantities of mineral waters were discovered. The therapeutic properties of the “Zimny Zdrój” spring were known as early as 1408. The fame of the Duszniki waters reached far beyond the country borders. Due to their pleasant taste they were sought after as a feast beverage by prominent families. However, it was not until the 18th century that the springs were properly evaluated and their exploitation was initiated. Around 1770 the medical world started to take interest in the therapeutic properties of the Duszniki waters. In 1801, Dr. Blottner, a spa doctor, issued in Kłodzko a brochure entitled: “A guide for those who wish to undertake milk therapy and make use of the springs in Kudowa and Duszniki to improve their health.” The author dedicated this brochure to Mogalla MD, PhD from Wrocław, “the physician of the higher mining office and the official of Collegi Medici et Sanitas.” This physician (most probably a Pole from Opole) had great achievements in the field of spa treatment in Lower Silesia. He published numerous works on mineral springs and Silesian baths, thus contributing to their development. Duszniki owes him its role as a spa and its plant for the production of milk and whey of ewe’s milk. Following the example of similar plants in the Czech mountains, he decided that Duszniki could have a similar function due to their greater altitude and subalpine conditions (flora and climate). In 1800 such a plant was opened in Duszniki. Dr. Mogalla developed a new, better way to ferment whey and whey of ewe’s milk for therapeutic purposes. This enabled the resort to gain recognition and the number of patients kept increasing every year.
