Cieplice - health resort

This is the way Polish traveller and poet Bogusz Zygmunt Stęczyński described the Cieplice springs when he visited here in 1851.

In addition to the springs, the specific climate and location at the foot of the mountains also promotes the healing of various illnesses. Not long after arriving in Cieplice, one soon feels the therapeutic properties of the warm springs. For centuries the warm waters have helped many return more speedily to health.

The origins of Cieplice fade away into the darkness of history. Although the Silesian Beaver Śląski Bobrzan tribe was likely aware of the existence of these warm springs, local legend claims their discovery was made by Prince Boleslaw Wysoki. He is said to have plunged into this area in the year 1175 while chasing a deer that had been wounded by him. The wonderful attributes of these waters drew ill people in search of healing. For this reason, on 18 March 1281, Prince Bernard Lwówecki gave "Calidus fons", meaning "Warm Spring", and 250 feuds of land in this area, to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem hospital monastery. From that time, they began taking care of the sick that visited the area.

The next page in the history of Cieplice was written by Knight Bolko II Świdnicko - Jaworski, Gotsche Schoff. He purchased Cieplice in the year 1381 from Agnieszka, the widow of a prince. Twenty-two years later, he brought Cistercians from Krzeszów and put one of the springs under their care. This monastery was connected with Cieplice over the next four centuries.

The popularity of the warm waters was encouraged by their scientific descriptions. Brandenburgian doctor, Caspar Hoffman, made the first in the year 1569. The second, much better and more extensive, was the work of a doctor from Cieplice, Kaspar Schwenckfeld. His work was published in 1607 in Zgorzelec.

The fame of Ciepłowód, as Cieplice was formerly called, continued to grow and with it the number of visiting bathers. Poles also discovered the existence of the health resort although it is unknown when the first Polish bathers appeared. It is thought to have been the wife of the mayor of Warsaw, Helena of Kluczników Kałęcka, who died while receiving treatment in 1591. The later list of Polish bathers is rather long. It is appropriate however to mention Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski; Albrecht Stanisław Radziwiłł; Krzysztof Opaliński; Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł with his esquire carver Teodor Billewicz, the first to describe the springs in Polish; the Polish Primate Michał Radziejowski; Jakub Sobieski; Hugon Kołłątaj; Józef Wybicki; Edward Dembowski; Wincenty Pol; Kornel Ujejski; Dutchess Izabela Czartoryska of Flemingów; the above named poet, Bogusz Stęczyński, who described his journey to Cieplice in 1816; Rozalia Saulson, the author of a Polish travel guide about Cieplice and the surrounding area; and many other less known. Polish visitors made up more than half of the visiting bathers at the springs. As a result, until the twentieth century, the western part of Cieplice on the left side of the Kamienna River was commonly named "Die polnische Seite", meaning, "The Polish Side".

The springs' most eminent guest was the Queen of Poland, Maria Kazimiera Sobieska, wife of Jan III of Sobieski. According to a chronicler, she arrived at the springs with her attendants on Monday afternoon, 30 June 1687. Her visit remained in the memory of the citizens of Cieplice for many years.

The infrastructure of the health resort developed throughout the centuries. After the closing down of the Cistercian monastery in the year 1810, Cieplice became the property of the Schaffgotsch family. They were well aware that the development of the health resort was dependent upon investment, especially in the area of transportation. From the year 1814, postal carriages travelled to Cieplice from Jelenia Góra. Stagecoaches followed in 1880, train in 1891 and gas trams followed by electric trams in 1897.

Cieplice became a city in 1935 and 36 years later it was connected to Jelenia Góra. The significant status of the health resort remains until today.

At present, Cieplice is one of the most popular Polish spas. The treatment is carried out with thermal, fluoride and siliceous waters (temp. up to 86 st.C) and therapeutic muds.

The Physiotherapeutic Ward performs over 30 treatments in the following fields:

• hydrotherapy – mineral baths in pools and tubs; whirlpool, bubble baths, acidcarbonic baths, hydromassage, power showers, hydrotherapy of oral cavity, aerosols for eye-balls,
• pelotherapy (curative muds) – baths, compresses, tampons, mud enemas,
• inhalations-with flavour and mineral extracts,
• electrotherapy-galvanization, ionophoresis, therapuls, dynamic currents, interdyne, magnetotrone,
• kinetotherapy, occupational therapy, classic massages, paraffin compresses, ultrasounds, mineral waters drinking.

Excursions to the mountains and nearby countryside give additional relief and relax. Besides an effective treatment, our guests may participate in a rich and attractive tourist and cultural programme.

AREAS OF MEDICAL TREATMENT:

REHABILITATION OF MOTOR ORGANS

1. Posttraumatic state, orthopaedics

• fracture of spine and trunk bones,
• fracture of upper and lower limbs,
• advanced posttraumatic states,

2. Rheumatology

• articular diseases and similar problems,
• spinal problems,
• rheimatological illnesses,
• diseases of bones, joint cartilages, acquired malformation of musculature and osseous system.

3. Neurology

• diseases of peripheral nervous system,
• hemiplegia,
• other paralysis syndromes.

4. Osteoporosis

• menopause and post-menopause problems,
• endometriosis.

DISEASES OF URINARY TRACTS AND KIDNEYS

1. Urology

• urolithiasis and nephrolithiasis,
• urolithiasis of lower part of urinary tracts (without the symptoms of stasis),
• cystitis,
• chronic inflammation of prostate,
• postoperative states of urolithiasis and nephrolithiasis,
• post-ESWL and post-PCNL states.

2. Nephrology

• chronic glomerulus nephritis,
• chronic bovine pyelonephritis,
• carcinoma of urinary tracts, kidneys and adrenal glands,
• tuberculosis of urinary tracts and kidneys,
• adenoma and carcinoma of prostate gland.