Plac Dietla

Genesis and spread of the style

Nineteenth-century Europe went mad for nature and water therapy. Spa towns began to spring up like mushrooms after the rain. The first were located on the slopes and at the foot of the Swiss, German and also Austrian Alps. For this reason, the buildings that made up the resorts of the time were modelled on Swiss mountain houses. Over time, the fashion for this style of resort building also reached Galicia and then spread to the Polish lands.

Characteristics

Swiss-style buildings are characterised by their small height, large gabled roof, with wide eaves. Balconies and terraces for sunbathing were added to give the buildings an element of leisure. The buildings were finished with ornaments with geometric or floral motifs carved into the boarding. To complete the composition, care was taken that the building was surrounded by park or forest greenery. If you visit Dietl Square, you can see with your own eyes the above-mentioned features in the surrounding buildings.

History

The fountain was built in the inter-war period as the crowning glory of Dietl Square. A 1957 reinforced concrete statue of a woman with a jug by Stanislaw Marcinow was added to the original fountain. It is said that a waitress working in Szczawnica, who had returned to Poland from France, posed for the sculpture. The next changes came in 2012, when the whole building was renovated and a new bronze sculpture made by Marcin Batkiewicz was placed.

10 years is too long, however

At the turn of 2022/2023, ten years after the last renovation, the stone sides and bottom of the fountain begin to break off and fall apart. Unfortunately, this gives the beautiful, representative part of the city, the appearance of neglect and abandonment. Fortunately, money has already been earmarked for its restoration, which will not be completed until 2024.

One building, many possibilities

In the beginning, the building, now known as Villa "Palace", was the palace of Josef Szalay, who is known for promoting and developing Szczawnica as a spa resort. After the fire in Dworek Gościnny in Štiavnica, the surviving collections of the Pieniny Museum are moved to the villa. It functioned there until 2012, when a decision was made to move the exhibits to Szlachtowa. Nowadays, the "Palace" houses the spa museum in Szczawnica.

Museum exhibits

When visiting the relocated Pieniny Museum in Szlachtowa, visitors can discover the past of the Pieniny highlanders. This is possible thanks to the exhibits located there. The museum's collections include family emblems, biographical collections, memorabilia related to Szczawnica, as well as examples of folk art or highlander costumes.

History

The Pump House is located on the eastern side of Dietl Square in the stylish "House over the springs", which was built by Jozef Szalay in 1863. In the beginning, there were only two springs under its foundations: Stefan and Josephine. Over the years, water was brought there from three other springs: Helena, Jozefina and Jan.

Water therapy comes to the rescue

It is worth noting what ailments the waters available at the Pump Room will help with, so that you can choose one to suit your needs. Helena water, which contains iron, improves blood condition and lowers cholesterol. Its milder taste makes it much easier for those intolerant of the specific aftertaste of medicinal waters. The three waters contain iodine, but each has a positive effect on a different system: Jan for the urinary system, Josephine for the respiratory system and Joseph for the digestive system. Stefan water is not only used for the prevention and treatment of the respiratory system, but is also recommended for osteoporosis.

If you are not sure which water is right for you or your child, ask the staff or go to the Inhalatorium. The staff there will help you make the right choice.

History of the building

Café Helenka is located in the former walking gallery, built in 1856- 1857 between the villa "Szwajcarka Górna" and the Szalays' gazebo (later known as the "House by the Spas"). Around 1960, the gallery was built over and the "Haneczka" café was opened in it. In 1984, when the pump room adjacent to the café was closed down, mineral waters started to be dispensed in "Haneczka". Unfortunately, a fire broke out in the building in 2002. The enclosure was completed in 2008, at which time Café Helenka opened there.

What will this exquisite delicacy treat us to?

Helenka is an elegant place where the flavours of many cultures intertwine with local traditions. This makes it the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or delicious dessert, although it is the many desserts and drinks that are more likely to catch the consumer's attention. The sumptuous list of assorted hot chocolates, coffees, teas, cakes and ice creams, makes the choice more and more difficult with every moment of reading the menu. The owners' meticulousness regarding allergens is also a major advantage. Each dish carries a label if it contains: milk, eggs, flour or nuts.

Location, history and treatment

The Magdalena spring is located about 100 m below Dietl Square, on the left bank of the szczawny stream, now completely covered. At the Magdalena spring located on Zdrojowa Street in Szczawnica, a stylish, oblong wooden gazebo with openwork elements was erected. The spring was discovered by a bather, Jan Cielecki, in 1839 and was named after Mrs Magdalena Kownacka, who was the owner of the Ponikwa estate at that time. Magdalena" water is recommended for diseases of the digestive system, bile ducts and constipation.

Need is the mother of initiative

The chapel was founded and designed, known to all residents of Szczawnica as its founder, by Jozef Szalay. The aim of this project was to shorten the way to the church for the visitors of that time. The chapel was officially consecrated by Rev. Maciej Szafranski in 1847. Its furnishings were assembled from the personal collections of the founder, his friends and visitors to the spa. The Neo-Gothic style and the altar of the Saviour of the World from 1848 made the chapel listed in the register of monuments of the National Heritage Institute.

Entertainment for the whole family

Sometimes when walking through the streets of Szczawnica, you can see a vehicle in the shape of a choo-choo. It attracts the attention of tourists, slowly gliding through the area. A train ride allows you to admire the surroundings with little effort, making it an ideal attraction for families, especially those with young children. The journey itself will put a smile on the faces of little ones.

Circuit runs from Dietl Square

09:15 - Jaworki - White Water - 10:00

10:45 - Jaworki - White Water - 11:30

12:15 - Severinovka - Waterfall - 12:50

13:25 - Jaworki - White Water - 14:10

14:55 - Jaworki - White Water - 15:40

16:25 - Severinowka - Waterfall - 17:00

17:35 - Jaworki - White Water - 18:20

19:05 - Severinowka - Waterfall - 19:40