Nad Zdrojami Villa (Pump Room) in Szczawnica

The Nad Zdrojami Villa, also known as the House over the Springs, stands on the eastern side of Dietl Square in the heart of spa-town Szczawnica. Since the 19th century, spa guests have been served the local carbonated waters here, right above the wells – the "szczawy" that gave the town its name. Today the ground floor houses a pump room with six medicinal waters, and the upper floor an exhibition on the history of the spa.

History: from pavilion to reconstruction

The first modest pavilion over the spring was built after 1820 by Jan Kutschera. In 1828 the springs were bought by Stefan and Józefina Szalay, who named them after themselves and in 1839–1840 put up an arcaded pavilion on eight columns. Their son Józef Szalay replaced it in 1863 with a two-storey wooden building of his own design, its upper floor richly carved. In 1931–1934 the pump room was modernised by Adam Stadnicki.

The pump room was closed from 1984, and in 2002 the building burned down. The Mańkowski family, Stadnicki's heirs, took on the rebuilding on the historic site: the remains were dismantled in 2006, and in 2008 the reconstructed house reopened, keeping its original form despite modern installations.

What to see and taste

• The pump room on the ground floor, serving six waters: Helena, Jan, Józef, Józefina, Stefan and Magdalena.
• Józefina – a spring discovered in 1822 and named after Stefan Szalay's wife; it rises in the same shaft as Stefan and Józef.
• The "200 Years of Szczawnica Spa" exhibition upstairs.
• Dietl Square with the neighbouring spa villas – a fine setting for a stroll.

Curiosities

The waters differ hugely in mineral content: Helena has about 1,837 mg/l, Józef over 11,000 mg/l. The operator describes Helena's taste as delicate, so it is a good first cup. As early as 1878, the spa's chief physician Onufry Trembecki recommended Józefina mixed with whey.

Tripto tips

The pump room is at plac Dietla 7. According to the operator it is open Monday–Thursday 9:00–18:00 and Friday–Sunday 9:00–20:00. Allow 30–45 minutes for tasting and the exhibition. Medicinal waters are potent, so drink them in moderation and ask a doctor first if you have a chronic condition. Dietl Square is a good starting point for walks in upper Szczawnica; in season, parking in the centre fills up.