The significance of therapeutic waters of Swoszowice , Krzeszowice and Mateczny in the development of spa tourism

Mineral waters have been applied for therapeutic purposes in Cracow since the fifteenth century. The complex geological structure of this area has had considerable influence upon various hydrogeological conditions. Sulphide waters in Cracow and in its vicinity are connected to the presence of gypsiferous formations occurring within the Miocene rocks deposits. Sulphide mineral waters help to treat such cases as: osteoarthritis, diseases of digestive system and nervous system, foodborne diseases, skin diseases, and illnesses of movument organs. The springs of those waters are located in a region that is particularly attractive to tourists. Both historical and natural attractions of Cracow and its neighbouring area create a big opportunity for further development of spa tourism there. This fashionable form of recreation may help old forgotten sulphide waters and Cracow health resorts revive their glamour.


Introduction
Therapeutic properties of waters were recognised by inhabitants of the Far East as early as in the ancient times.Ancient Egyptians ran treatment centres offering hot baths to relieve tensions and lighten up the nervous system (Dukiet, 1967).At the time of the Roman Empire the first health resorts in the form of magnificent buildings, the so-called Roman thermae, were built.Both emperors, senators and common men took beneficial baths there (Golba, 2007).Mineral water bathing and drinking therapies developed greatly in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Although thousands of years have gone by, therapeutic waters still attract people's interest.The first information about therapeutic properties of waters in Poland was recorded in 1578 in the work of Wojciech Oczko, a doctor serving at the court of King Stefan Batory.
This study concerns mineral waters located within Cracow and its neighbouring area, and particularly the waters of Krzeszowice, Swoszowice and Mateczny.
It also discusses possibilities of their use for the development of spa tourism.Apart from their therapeutic properties, sulphide waters have not been fully used so far.Only Swoszowice gained the status of a health resort.Taking into consideration the fact that these water intakes are located near Cracow, one of the best developed tourist cities in Poland, they should become another attraction for both Polish and foreign tourists.With the growth of civilization diseases, hasty life and stress, the development of places that can constitute a peaceful enclave and can create a chance to experience nature should become a top priority.For introducing weak and strong sides of these places SWOT analysis was used.Due to a rich recreational offer and a positive attitude to a patient-tourist, such places could become famous in Poland, and they could also compete with other European health resorts.

Characteristics of the study area
The study area is located In the Malopolskie Voivodeship.According to Kondracki's division of Poland into the physical and geographical mesoregions (1998), this area belongs to several subprovinces: the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland, the Małopolska Upland, the Northern Carpathian Foothills, and the Western Outer Carpathians.
With respect to the climate, three climatic regions can be differentiated in the Małopolska region: the Central Polish Uplands, the Carpathian Foothill Basins and the Carpathians.From a geological point of view, the region of Cracow is located in a special place -the limits of great structural units, among others: the Upper Silesian Depression, the Cracow-Silesian Monocline, the Nida Basin, and the Carpathians, the Carpathian Foredeep and the Carpathian forefield.All this results in diversity and complexity of the area where faults are basic tectonic elements (Rutkowski, 1993).
The occurrence of therapeutic waters is closely related to the Carpathian Foredeep (Fig. 1).
The Early to Middle Miocene Carphatian Foredeep in Poland developed as a peripheral foreland basin related to the moving Carpathian front.The Polish Carpathian Foredeep (about 300 km long and 100 km wide), is part of the large sedimentary basin, which stretches for more than 1 300 km, from the Austria to Romania.Like other foreland basins, the Carpathian Foredeep is asymetric and filled with predominantly clastic sediments of the Miocene age up to 3 km thick (Oszczypko et al., 2006).
The area of the Małopolskie Voivodeship contains 25 mineral water deposits which are considered to have therapeutic properties.Among these only four are sulphide waters.The biggest and oldest of these is found in Swoszowice, District 10 th of the city of Cracow, discovered in the fifteenth century.The others are: Cracow-Mateczny and Krzeszowice (Tab.1)(Porwisz et al., 2008).(Gradziński, 1993) • Mapa geologiczna obszaru krakowskiego bez osadów czwartorzędowych (Gradziński, 1993) Tab.1.Essential characteristics of the therapeutic waters of the Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny (www.mineralne.pig.gov.pl)

Use of therapeutic waters and tourist attractions of Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny
Swoszowice, similarly to most Polish health resorts, is located in one of the most beautiful regions in our country.It is a picturesque green oasis in the southeast part of Cracow.These are the spa park established in 1811, the forests and the River Wilga that should attract overworked inhabitants of Cracow who live in a noisy and overcrowded city.Sulphide waters constitute the key capital of this resort.Their history is closely related to the existence of sulphur mine which operated there from 1422 to 1786.
As early as in the fifteenth century sulphate waters from these springs were used in therapeutic baths which is mentioned in Guidebook of the Health Resorts from 1878.Wojciech Oczko, a court doctor of King Stefan Batory writes about bathing in Swoszowice in his work Cieplice (1578).It is the first balneologic document and the first publication of this kind written in Polish (Ney, 2002).
The area of this spa contains sulphide waters of a SO 4 -HCO 3 -Ca -Mg, H 2 S type (Fig. 2).Their uniqueness is favoured by hydrogen sulphide (approx.60 mg/l).At present, the only exploited mineral water intake within the Swoszowice mining area is the Main Spring (Fig. 3).
The spring "Napoleon" contains water of the same type.It is surrounded by a concrete ring.The outflowing water is not, however, used for therapeutic purposes but runs off as a small stream to the River Wilga.
The formations of the sulfurated gypsum series intersected by former mine workings make a reservoir of therapeutic waters.It is of a fissure-karst charakter, hence it offers considerable permeability and ability to accumulate water.At the bottom of the series of evaporators there are clastic Fig. 3.The Main Spring -Swoszowice, phot.I. Jamorska • Źródło Główne -Swoszowice, fot.I. Jamorska formations: conglomerates, sandstones and sands, and also strongly sanded argillaceous slates.Similar deposits were recorded within the series of evaporators (Kleczkowski, Myszka, 1989).
The climate and bioclimate of Swoszowice have therapeutic properties as well.Taking into considerations other parts of Cracow, the area of Swoszowice is definitely more favourable, and its properties may be applied in climatic treatment of motor disorders and rheumatic diseases.The bioclimate of Swoszowice has properties that toughen the circulatory and thermoregulatory systems.The most favourable period lasts from April to September.It is possible to apply motor heliotherapy at this time.Despite a close distance to the city centre, the levels of air pollutiants stay below the norm.Similar results were also obtained for noise measurements.The area of the health resort hardly poses environmental nuisance (Porwisz, et al., 2008).The most favourable conditions for climatic therapy as well as for relax and recreation can be recorded in the Spa Park (Fig. 4).
The highest content of plant etheric oils in the air is of considerable importance here.These oils have prophylactic and therapeutic properties for fighting high blood pressure Fig. 4. The Spa Park, phot.I. Jamorska • Park Zdrojowy, fot.I. Jamorska and asthma, as well as they reveal soothing properties (Porwisz, et al., 2008).The Spa Park was established by the decision of its former owner, Prof. Radwański in approximately 1820.In the concern for the patients who complained about the lack of shade, he ordered to plant young lindens, elm trees and harnbeams, presently the oldest specimen in the park.Nowadays the Spa Park serves both inhabitants, patients and tourists.Two tourist routes: blue and black ones go through it.Moreover, there are deciduous trees reaching the height of 25 metres.They are often 180 years old.The most valuable specimen were classified as natural landmarks.These are among others small-leaved lindens and elm trees.In the past a pond surrounded by beautiful weeping willows used to be an attraction.Nowadays it is overgrown by common reed (http://malopolskie.parki.org/krkswoszowice2/).
The Nature Treatment Institute is located in the Spa Park.Its present condition reflects changeable political situations in the history of Poland among others, and is the result of transfers of ownership rights.Its prosperous period falls on the years preceding the Second World War.The war brought about devastation.During the interwar period its status was revived and during the Nazi occupation Baths were extended.On 25th July 1974 Swoszowice gained the status of a Health Resort, however, due to the lack of funds renovation works were interrupted.The Nature Treatment Institute is situated in the baths -in the old building.Electrotherapeutic procedures are carried out in the modernized "Parkowa" pavilion (Fig. 5).According to its definition, a health resort is a town rich in natural therapeutic resources, i.e. mineral waters used in bathing and drinking therapies, and additionally it is located in a favourable climate.The town should also provide health service and indispensable facilities.Currently the health resort fulfils two elementary functions: therapeutic and tourist ones.The above quoted facts prove that Swoszowice meet all the necessary requirements presented in the Polish Norm PN-91/ ZZ-11000 concerning health resorts.Tourism remains another function to carry out.Apart from offering therapeutic procedures, many Polish and foreign health resorts take advantage of their geographic locations to create and promote active forms of recreation.Swoszowice may also offer different forms of active holidays.The Voivodeship Sports Club "Krakus" hosts three sports sections: football, cycling and horse-riding.The horse-riding centre offers classes of horseriding, rehabilitation and contests.Rehabilitation for children suffering from cerebral palsy with biocurrents while horseriding together with the therapeutic procedures at the Nature Treatment Institute has gained great recognition in Poland.The most recommended method of convalescence for elderly patients is to stroll in the above described Spa Park along the marked paths and tourist routes.A stay in the health resort may be enriched with an excursion (a pilgrimage) to the World Centre of Veneration of the Image of the Divine Mercy in Cracow-Łagiewniki, a famous sanctuary and a sightseeing trip around Cracow, to visit the Royal Castle, among others.
Swoszowice is approximately 3 km away from the centre of Cracow.The distance to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is similar.Apart from sightseeing the famous salt mine patients can take advantage of beneficial activity of salt in special grottos adapted to serve therapeutic purposes.
The exceptional qualities of natural treatment and tourism are not properly exploited in Swoszowice.The springs of sulphide water, so unique in Europe, are used merely in 25%.This fact is related to economic issues but also results from long-term negligence to modernize the Institute.Several attempts to improve the condition of the historical complex of the Nature Treatment Institute are planned.
Krzeszowice is located within the Krakowska Upland, in the centre of the Krzeszowicki Trough, 25 kilometers to the west of Cracow (Fig. 6).
In this area the Krzeszowicki Trough narrows down to the width of nearly 2 km..It is a particularly picturesque place that is very diversified geomorphologically and geologically.
Two mineral water aquifers of different chemism and depths have been documented in the area of Krzeszowice.The lower aquifer is found in cracked and karst limestones of the Upper Jurassic that show favourable conditions for carrying and storing waters, similarly to the overlying sandy deposits of the Cretaceous and Palaeogene.The other, higher aquifer is linked to the Miocene gypsums within which traces of karst washing and several cracks and fissures can be observed.Their presence and karst processes make the complex of deposits with gypsums a place where mineral waters of sulphate type accumulate and circulate (Ney, 2002).
Mineral waters of Krzeszowice are captured by the "Main Spring" (Fig. 7), whose exploitation resources amount 1.61 m3/h with the depression of 2.3 m.
That is where customers' office, a restaurant and a café are found.The patients live in the "Sun" pavilion and partially in the baths building.In the present building complex the following therapeutic procedures are offered: sulphate baths, peat poultice, underwater massage, dry massage and whirpool baths, radiations: diadynamics, terapuls, ionophoresis, and acupressure.
Annually, there are approximately 21600 out-patient and 3700 in-patient procedures carried out.The staff includes: 2 doctors, 12 nurses, 6 specialists and 15 assisting workers.So far the Water Treatment Institute has recorded particularly high effectiveness in treating patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
The significance of therapeutic waters of Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny in the development of spa tourism This is a natural spring captured in a well that is 4.76 m deep.The outflowing water is of the SO4-HCO3-Ca-Mg, H2S type and has the H2S content of approximately 6 mg/l (Fig. 8).
The chapel originally it was a reservoir of sulfurous water, which was pumped from the Main Spring and then, through wooden pipes transported to the bath (Fig. 9).
The history and development of the health resort begins in the mid-eighteenth century when dr Jan Gotfryd Leonhardi carried out the studies of the properties of the sulphate water ordered by Prince August Czartoryski.In 1778 the "Main Spring" was timbered and the first baths were constructed.After the death of Priest Czartoryski the spa was taken over by his daughter, Izabela Lubomirska who developed the complex and introduced the concept of combining treatment with entertainment.At that time Krzeszowice had a period of prosperity.The regular balls attracted guests from Cracow and also from more distant places.
The Second World War brought about destruction and closure of the health resort.It was re-opened in 1964 because of miners for who sulphide water appeared to save weakened health.Footballers of the "Wisła" FC in Cracow treated their injuries there undergoing very good rehabilitation procedures The significance of therapeutic waters of Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny in the development of spa tourism (www.krzeszowice.net4.pl).In 1999 the centre began to operate as an Independent Health Care Facility and Rehabilitation Centre for Muscle-Skeletal (Motor) Organs -"Krzeszowice" (Fig. 10).
Duchess Lubomirska's idea to combine therapy with entertainment is still up-to-date.It is widely understood that health tourism, including spa tourism, will be one of the most intensely developing branches.Similarly to Swoszowice, apart from the occurrence of valuable mineral waters, the town of Krzeszowice can take pride in numerous monuments (Fig. 11, 12, 13), several walking and bicycle routes.The development of tourism in this area may also be supported by the presence of numerous Landscape Parks (Fig. 14) and Nature Reserves.
There is the Papal Trail running through Krzeszowice, which made walking and bicycle trips more attractive for Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II) and St. Mary's trail (Fig. 15).
Patients can go on educational excursions along the coal mining route, admire wooden architecture and go down an educational path leading through the premises of the former papal closure to see the nature's treasures of the Eliaszówka Valley Reserve and the Convent of Barefoot Carmelites (www.krzeszowice.pl).
Good communication network can also promote the development of spa tourism.The airport and an increasing number of cheap airlines make this place easily accessible for foreign tourists.Both Swoszowice and Krzeszowice should adapt to prevailing trends.Mineral waters and a very long tradition of travelling to such resorts are undoubtedly assets for those locations which can outshine other recreational places.Rich history of these places, direct contact with nature should be a magnet for the society living a hasty life in bigger cities. Going beyond standard therapeutic and prophylactic procedures seems to be the biggest challenge for the health resorts in Swoszowice and Krzeszowice.However such a change requires substantial investment which is a crucial problem for most Polish health resorts.The European Union structural funds may provide a solution to this problem.The Polish Tourist Organisation, a governmental representative responsible for the development of the image of Poland, has decided to introduce a series of marketing campaigns promoting Polish cities and towns in the years 2008-2012.Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity to undertake attempts to adapt such places to the needs and expectations of tourists.
Cracow-Mateczny is a tourist resort which has adjusted in a considerable way to meet the prevailing spa trends (Fig. 16).
The peculiar fact is that sulphide spring waters are located at the crossing of Mateczny roundabout, in the centre of Cracow.Sulphide waters were discovered incidentally while searching for potable water in the garden of Antoni Mateczny.Using that spring, in the year 1905, Antoni Mateczny opened the Sulphate and Brine Bath Centre, commonly called "Mateczny" (Fig. 17).
Hydrological conditions of these waters are fairly well recognised owing to numerous boreholes.They are related to the deep karst pockets in the Jurassic limestones filled (Fig. 18) with fine sands of the Palaeogene and marl-limestones of the Miocene (Kleczkowski, Myszka, 1989).
In all Mateczny boreholes two aquifers were distinguished.The upper free fresh water aquifer is connected with the Quaternary formations and the lower artesian mineral water aquifer with the Miocenes formations.In sands and gravels these are marl-limestones and the Miocene clays that separate mineral water deposits from the Quaternary aquifer.These deposits serve as a natural protection for the mineral waters against pollution of an anthropogenic origin, which is particularly dangerous in the city centre.Mineral waters of Mateczny are captured by M-4, M-3 and Geo-2A (Fig. 19) boreholes.
The area of this spa contains sulphide waters of a SO 4 -Cl-Na-Ca, H 2 S type, SO 4 -C l -Na-Mg-Ca, H 2 S (M3) and SO 4 -Cl-HCO 3 -Na, H 2 S (Geo-2 A) .
Sulphide waters are used here for therapeutic baths.They help to treat rheumatic diseases, injury-induced motor organs and skin diseases.Due to a high concentration of precious bio-elements, these waters have been bottled and sold under the trade name "Krakowianka" since 1970.The uniqueness of this water lies in the mutual proportion between the content of calcium and magnesium in a litre, which guarantees better absorption by the organism (Rajchel, 2000).In the year 2003, IPR Polska acquired the real property consisting of historic buildings located in a park area of over 3 ha.It is the intention

Conclusions
Spa tourism has every chance to develop in Poland.Polish health resorts employ very good medical staff who enable patients to use precious mineral waters properly.Besides, they are located in the places of special tourist interest.The area of Cracow is certainly a good example here as compared to other towns in Poland.It has plenty of sulphide mineral waters and also takes pride in its landscape, cultural and historical events.Rich traditions of the city are supplemented by contemporary artistic events of an international character.However the use of sulphide waters of Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny in the development of spa tourism is restrained by the lack of appropriate infrastructure.These places are not properly promoted, and there are no funds to undertake modernisation works.Undoubtedly, funds coming from the European Union may become very helpful.
Weak and strong points as well as chances of the development of these places were presented with using SWOT analysis (Tab.2).SWOT is often used as part of a strategic planning process.The SWOT framework was described in the late 1960's by Edmund P. Leared, C. Roland Christiansen, Kenneth Andrews and William D. Guth in Business Policy, Text and Cases.The SWOT analysis classifies the internal aspects of the company as strengths or weaknesses and the external situational factor as opportunities or threats.Strengths can serve as a foundation for building a competitive advantage, and weaknesses may hinder it (Alkhafaji, 2003).
Following the example of renowned European health resorts combining therapeutic and prophylactic functions with recreational tourism to meet the needs of younger people in the twenty-first century, Cracow has a good chance to develop spa tourism more effectively.It must be underlined that despite considerable progress in medicine and pharmacology sulphide waters still remain most effective in treating certain diseases.Therefore, it is crucial that these places should be promoted as not to be forgotten. The significance of therapeutic waters of Swoszowice, Krzeszowice and Mateczny in the development of spa tourism

STRENGHTS WEAKNESSES
• Good location, close the city centre of Cracow.
• Numerous cultural and historical objects.
• Possibility of walks.
• Diverse and rich mineral resources.
• Experienced medical staff.
• Availability of the gas mains, water supply systems and energy network.
• Weak marketing of the town.
• Insufficient quality of tourism infrastructure.
• Chaotic development of Cracow.
• Insufficient use of historical, cultural and natural features of the region with respect to tourism development.

OPPORTUNITIES TREATS
• Promotion of the region.
• Investment in transport and environmental infrastructure and their better management.• Better accessibility and quality of public transport.• New leisure trends.
• Weakening of the competitive position of the region due to dynamic development of spa tourism service in other areas.• Degradation of natural resources (therapeutic water).
• Conflict between development of tourism, transport, industrial production and natural environment.• Aggravation of the state of historical objects and landscape.• Polluting the underground water and its consequences for the ecosystems and health.