Krynica-Zdrój | |
|---|---|
 Health resort (kurort) | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Krynica-Zdrój | |
| Coordinates:49°24′42″N20°57′18″E / 49.41167°N 20.95500°E /49.41167; 20.95500 | |
| Country |  Poland |
| Voivodeship |  Lesser Poland |
| County | Nowy Sącz |
| Gmina | Krynica-Zdrój |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Piotr Ryba (PiS) |
| Area | |
• Total | 40.17 km2 (15.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 590 m (1,940 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
• Total | 11,243 |
| • Density | 279.9/km2 (724.9/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 33-380 |
| Website | http://www.krynica-zdroj.pl |
Krynica-Zdrój[krɨˈɲit͡sa ˈzdrui̯] (until 31 December 2001Krynica,Lemko Rusyn: Крениця,Yiddish:קרעניץ) is atown inNowy Sącz County,Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland.[1] It is inhabited by over eleven thousand people. It is the biggestspa town in Poland often called thePearl of Polish Spas; and a popular tourist andwinter sports destination situated in the heart of theBeskids mountain range.
Krynica was first recorded in official documents in 1547 and was granted town rights in 1889.[2][3] In the 17th century, mineral waters were discovered in the area.[3] In 1856, the town began rapidly developing into a health resort largely thanks to the activities ofJózef Dietl, aJagiellonian University professor considered the "father of Polish balneology".[4]
By the end of the 19th century, the town had acquired a considerable reputation for its picturesque location and its health resort facilities. It was frequented by Polish elites and intellectuals. Among notable visitors wereJan Matejko,Artur Grottger,Henryk Sienkiewicz andJózef Ignacy Kraszewski. In the interbellum period the town attracted such individuals asLudwik Solski,Helena Modjeska,Władysław Reymont,Julian Tuwim,K.I. Gałczyński andJan Kiepura.[2]
Krynica's development was also boosted by the construction of a railway line toMuszyna in 1876, which was further expanded to Krynica-Zdrój in 1911. AfterWorld War I, many of the town's buildings were renovated and new spa facilities were built includingNowe Łazienki Mineralne, the Lwigród Guesthouse, and the New Spa House. A popularfunicular railway was also constructed to Mount Parkowa.[2]
Due to its convenient location, infrastructure and rail connections with major cities in Europe, Krynica-Zdrój (Zdrój means mineral spring in Polish) was the location of winter sports tournaments during theinterwar period, including the1931 World Ice Hockey Championships and the 1935FIL European Luge Championships. In the post-war period, the town has hosted the 1958 and 1962FIL World Luge Championships, the 2004Euro Ice Hockey Challenge, and the 2018 and 2020Winter World Polonia Games.[5][6]
Agondola lift built in 1997 on Mount Jaworzyna Krynicka overlooking Krynica, and subsequent investment in modern skiing facilities (apart from theformer track of bobsleigh) made Krynica one of the most important ski resorts in Poland. NearbyBeskid Sądecki mountains are also a perfect setting for recreational cross-country skiing in winter and hiking as well as mountain-biking in summer.[7]
The winter sport ofbandy returned to Poland in the 2010s, after many decades. When the country made their first international appearance in 2006 at the World Championships for boys U15 inEdsbyn, Krynica-Zdrój contributed with most players.[8]
Krynica-Zdrój is located in SouthernLesser Poland inBeskid Sądecki, within thePoprad Landscape Park protected area. The city center lies in the valley of Kryniczanka river and is connected with the nearby Mount Parkowa and Mount Jaworzyna Krynicka by cable railways.
The town hosts theInternational Czesław Droździewicz Guitar Competition. Krynica was home toNikifor (birth name Epifaniusz Drowniak), a famousnaïve painter incommunist Poland.[9]
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Krynica was sometimes nicknamed "EasternDavos"[10] for theEconomic Forum held there each year in September since 1992 until the forum was transferred to theLower Silesian town ofKarpacz in 2019. Politicians (including heads of state) and businessmen from several countries of Central Europe, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East met there to discuss economic and political matters. Also, part of the inhabitants of Krynica belong to theLemko minority who speak an Eastern Slavic language calledRusyn.
Krynica-Zdrój istwinned with:[11]
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