Ciechocinek Spa — the Biggest Health Resort in the Polish Lowlands in Terms of Geotourism

Abstract

Ciechocinek is known for its unique saline graduation towers and salt works. The crucial date in Ciechocinek’s history was 1836, when four treatment copper bath tubs were installed in the local inn. This gave rise to the beginning of the Health Springs Enterprise, which was the origin of the Health Resort. The graduation towers of Ciechocinek are particular and they are the biggest wooden constructions which serve to vaporize brine’s water from the spring no. 11. The graduation towers were built in the shape of a horseshoe. Two first graduation towers were built in the years between 1824 and 1828 and the third in 1859. The height of towers is about 15.8 m and the total length of all of them is more than 1741.5 m. They constitute a unique monument of the nineteenth-century technology, one of few in Europe. In the graduation towers the concentration of salt brine takes place as a part of the salt production process. A characteristic feature of this process is the production of a natural aerosol with healing properties. Within the graduation towers there is a specific microclimate, a natural and curative inhaler. The technology of salt production, which is based on heating concentrated salt brine, has not changed in 190 years — it consists in heating concentrated brine. Thermal brines of the Na–Cl type and J type from borehole no. 14 (Terma 14) and borehole no. 16 (Terma 16) are used for Ciechocinek Spa mineral water supply. These boreholes are screened in the Dogger and Lias sandstones. The water in Terma 14 has mineralization (total dissolved solids (TDS)) of 43.5 g/L and the temperature on the borehole outflow is 28 °C. The water from Terma 16 has mineralization (TDS) of 53.4 g/L. It is thermal water and its temperature on the borehole outflow is 32 °C. The therapeutic thermal water in the Ciechocinek boreholes occurs at considerable depth and its resources are very slowly renewable. The therapeutic qualities of Ciechocinek springs are strongly recommended for curing cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, traumatic, rheumatic, nervous system, and women’s diseases. The Ciechocinek Spa is a producer of well-known products of perfect quality: “Krystynka” mineral water, flavored water, table salt, medicinal lye, and mud.