SPA AS A (GEO)TOURIST ATTRACTION

Dana Tometzová1

Abstract: The paper depicts the history of Bardejov Spa itself, the history of spa buildings and objects which went through different changes over the years. The article also describes periods of the spa when famous people like empress of and queen of Elizabeth of Bavoria, Austo-Hungarian emperor Josef II., second wife of emperor – Maria Louisa or russiam tsar Alexander visited Bardejov Spa. Since the locality possesses by 8 mineral springs which are used for drinking treatments, it is still very attractive area not only for patients, but thanks to valuable cultural and natural heritage,it also appeals to tourists and geotourists.The growth of the visitor rate during last few years is also analyzed in the paper as well as spa conditions nowadays, chemical composition of the springs, indications and procedures provided in the spa. Key words: Bardejov spa, spa tourism,health tourism, mineral springs

Introduction Bardejov Spa are located in the north - eastern part of , in Prešov district, in the Low , between Čergov and highlands. Spa are located 5 km north of Bardejov city, to which they are administratively affiliated. Besides the Bardejov spa joint stock company is with almost identical indications in service the Spa-Health Institute of the Ministry of Internal affairs of Slovak Republic Družba. In the spa area, visitors canenjoy (except the effects of healing springs and wellness) educational trail „Čierna mláka“, outdoor rehabilitation and fitness trail called „Kyslíková dráha – Oxygen track“ with 14 stops with wooden obstacles, information boards and benches,3 singletracks for cyclists, tennis courts, minigolf, outdoor swimming pool with water temperature of 27ºC or Museum of folk architecture which is an open air museum with various residential timbered houses, technical, religious and farm buildings typical for regions of upper Šariš and northern Zemplín.

1 Technical university of Košice, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and, Geotechnologies , Institute of Earth Resources e-mail: [email protected]

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In the immediate vicinity of the spa is outlook-tower „Kamenná hora“, from the top of which you can have a beautiful view over the whole Bardejov town. The town is another favourite spot of tourists. Bardejov is known as the most gothic city of Slovakia with the best preserved defensive system. In addition to the walls, the gate and ten bastions have been preserved. There are many others valuable cultural monuments thanks to which Bardejov is from the year of 2000 part of UNESCO World heritage list. Since June 2018, the project called „Bardejov - "Geotourism - Chance for the Development of the Polish-Slovak Border" is also being implemented. Both towns Gorlice and Bardejov have their picturesque location in the heart of the Polish Carpathians - on the edge of the , unique geotourist attractions based on geological resources. Gorlice is the cradle of the oil industry, where the world's first oil-fired furnace and mines were built, and Bardejov is a with many mineral springs. Within this project is planned to create a publication with a map of geotourist attractions in the area and specialtour guide training, which will be mainly focused on geotourism, geology and biology of the locality. Geology of Bardejov Spa After the World War I, in the early 1930s, geologists A.Matějka and L. Zelenka (1932) as frist described the geological structure of Bardejov's surroundings. Their concept was accepted by the already known hydrogeologist O. Hynie. As the most important tectonic- building element, they considered the sloping surface of the fault character running directly through the valley of the spa area. This main seepage area intersects the transversefault fissures of the younger age and dislocates the main springfault. The later drilling hydrogeological survey changed these views. In 1963 O. Hynie adopted new views of Z. Stránik, J. Nemčok and T. Koráb which dedicated their attention to geological structure of the spa area. From the geological point of view, the area of Bardejov Spa belongs to the Neo- Alpine units of the .The territory is formed by Flysch Belt. Magura Flysch is divided into Čerhov unit, Bystrica and Rača unit. The outflow of mineral carbon dioxide waters mediates Bardejov fault, according to which is Bystrica unit overthrust to Rača unit. This fault has a steep gradient to the northeast, and in the valley of the Kvašný creek, flowing through the spa area, it is covered by alluvial sedimentsof quaternary age, reaching a thickness of 4.8 - 17.2 m. The predominant areclayish and sandy gravels with weak to medium wrought pebblestones. In the eastern part of the spring zone there is a 1.5 m thick peat position with clay admixtures in fluvial deposits. Quaternary alluvial sediments pass directly into the rock bed. The most prominent representative of the Bystrica unit is Lackov member (Middle Eocene) made up of light-grey colored polymictic conglomerates of a pseftic to psamitic structure with fragments of slates, quartzites and melaphyres. The matrix isclastic, silicious, or calcareous. For the occurrence of mineral waters, is important the presence of light fine grain sandstones, which are collectors of local importance. So-called Beloveža layers (Paleocene - the lower Eocene) of Bystrica unit are in contact on a fault surface. These clay layers are poorly permeable, and they alternate with sandstones of Rača unit. Characteristic lithotype are greenish, greenish-blue, brownish-grey to-red-purple calcareousclaystones. In extremely predominant pelites stand out of the 30-70 cm thick arkosic sandstones. Further exploratory work (B. Leško, V. Struňák - 1966, K. Malatínsky – 1968-70) clarify the course of the transverse tectonics. Temporary protective zones were set in 1960 by O. Franko and P. Tkáčik and these zones were later modified by M. Haluška. In 2000 were protective zones of resources in Bardejov legislatively established by Decree No. 16 of Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic.

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History of Bardejov Spa The first written mention of Bardejov Spa dates back as far as 1247 when the Hungarian king Béla IV. donated the territory of the present spa jointly with the springs to the city Bardejov. We know for certain that the local people knew the curative effects of the mineral springs very soon that they could experience themselves. Up to the 15th century there is no precise data about the spa. The good reputation, however, spread over very quickly therefore the first booths for bathing sick people, coming here from the distant surroundings, have been built in 1505. In 1777 the first brick building was built near to the springs. The building had 12 rooms serving for the patients comfort. The curative effects attracted the Hungarian and Polish nobility which contributed essentially to the development of Bardejov Spa. The first written scientific report on the results of the analyses of the two most frequently used Bardejov springs - the Main and the Spa spring /Hlavný, Kúpeľný spring/ was given by professor Pavol Kitaibel from Pest in 1795. That time 7 mineral springs were utilised. He considered the Bardejov acidulous water one of the most curative water in Europe, suitable for filling in containers and being exported. Kitaibel proposed after some further analyses the indications of the spa therapy. Pursuant to his opinion the waters from Bardejov were suitable for curing headache, contracture, epilepsy, hypochondria, gynaecological disorders, podagra, urine stones, gastrointestinal disorders. Kitaibel´s report contributed to the fact that Bardejov Spa has integrated among the most often visited spa of Hungary by the end of the 18th century. The city started to fill in containers and export the Bardejov acidulous water not only to Budapest, but also to Warsaw, Berlin, Frankfurt. Kitaibel also proposed spa park adjustment and he contributed to the creation of the oldest spa park on the Slovak territory. In the first half of the 19th century the Bardejov Spa experienced a flourishing time. Within a short time a new spacious spa-house was built up and several dwelling houses. That time already 13 mineral springs were utilised. The inter-war period marked the stagnation of the spa. After the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic there was a significant decline in visit rate. Change of the boarders, bad transport connection, competition of well-established and maintained czech spa contributed to this decline. Individual spa objects have been leased. In 1930 was built natural swimming pool. An interest in the reconstruction and modernization of the spa was demonstrated by company from Monte Carlo. The bad political situation in 1938 and the subsequent outbreak of the World War II hampered further efforts to develop the spa. After the World War II increased attention was paid to the Bardejov Spa and spa was included in the category of spas of international importance. In 1959 was built pavilion „Ľudový prameň“ ( „Folk spring“) according to the project of A. Vrábeľ and with a decorations of M. Jakabčic. In 1972 was built modern colonnade (Fig.1) according to the project of V. Uhliarik and J. Schuster. Later these two architects built also new Spa house (1974), and according to the project of J. Schuster were built also hotels Ozón (1976) a Družba (1978).

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Fig. 1. Main spring‘s timber colonnade, around year 1900

Famous people who visited Bardejov Spa The reputation of spa disseminated all over Europe so besides the visitors coming from the near vicinity who spent here just a short time, most of the guests spent in the spa from three to six weeks. Among those visitors there were several famous people such as the Austo-Hungarian emperor Josef II. (1783), Maria Louisa , the second wife of emperor Napoleon (1809), the Russian tsar Alexander I. (1821), the Polish queen Maria Kazimiera Sobieska , wife of the Polish king John III. Sobiesky. However, the most well-known guest was the wife of the emperor Frantz Josef I., the empress Elisabeth, called Sissi. She was treated here from 1st until 27th July 1895. She was 58 years old when she came to the spa to get some therapies but she also wanted to forget about tragical death of her only son Rudolf, who committed suicide. Sissi was accommodated in newly built hotel Deák, which was lately to her honor renamed to hotel Elisabeth (Fig.2).

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Fig. 2. Hotel Alžbeta, in front of the hotel is statue of empress „Sissi“

She was accommodated with her eleven-membered suite on the first floor, in the present room no. 218, from where she had a nice view of the spa itself. Sisi came to Bardejov by train on a railway line, which was built only two years earlier, perhaps in honor of her arrival to Bardejov town. Even the side entrance to Hotel Deák was built specifically for the empress Elisabeth. According to the treating physician Henrich Hintz, Sisi was well- disciplined patient who strictly adhered to the spa regime. On his recommendation, she drank water from the Lobogo spring (today it is the Elisabeth spring). In addition to drinking treatment with healing and rejuvenating effects, she spent a lot of time by walking in beautiful and pure nature accompanied by her companions, members of the royal suite. During her stay in Bardejov Spa she also visited the Church of St. Egidius in Bardejov and she donated a ring to the local priest. The ring is nowadays part of the collections of Šariš museum in Bardejov.

In 1903, in front of the hotel where Sisi stayed, revealed her above life sizebronze sculpture, the masterpiece of Hungarian sculptor Gyul Donáth. In 1926, was the scultpture, because of changed political conditions, replaced to the museal exposition in historical Town Hall in Bardejov. Back to the Bardejov Spa was this sculpture returned in 1965. A sparkling source covered by richly decorated wooden pavilion was also renamed to Elisabeth‘s source. Sisi was satisfied with her stay and it was also a responsibility of the supervison of the former director Karol Fenyves.

Bardejov Spa nowadays Springs In Bardejov Spa are 8 springsgroupedin a relatively small indoor spa area. Bardejov mineral water is natural-curative, weak to moderately mineralized, hydrogen carbonate- 70 chloride, sodium, ferric carbonate, cold, hypotonic water, with increased boric acid content (Tab.1). The amount of elements in the water is in each sourcedifferent and hence the usual therapeutic doses are determined by a doctordepending on the indication and health condition of the client. The waters are mainly used for drinking treatments, mineral baths and inhalation. Eight springsare indwelled into the sheltered heated colonnade (Fig.4) where they are used for indoor balneotherapy in the form of drinking treatments.The colonnadeis accessible for spa guests but also for tourists which passing by.

Tab.1 Chemical composition of springs in Bardejov Spa Spring Hlavný Napoleon Herkules Kolonádny Lekársky Anna Alžbeta Klára (Main) (Colonnade) (Medical) Water 10,4 7,7 11,1 7,7 10,7 6,5 9,4 7,6 temperature [ºC] Total dissolved 4050,4 3790 9335 6176 6470 4288 3832 1602 solids [mg/l] Li + [mg/l] 1,56 1,56 2,25 2,0 1,75 1,73 1,56 0,65 Na + [mg/l] 885,0 780,0 2300,0 1405,0 1535,0 902,0 813,0 277,0 K+ [mg/l] 47,9 41,87 108,6 66,66 68,0 49,32 44,12 19,13 + NH 4 [mg/l] 0,46 1,88 0,74 2,82 0,8 2,08 0,78 0,28 Mg 2+ [mg/l] 34,25 53,33 43,95 41,21 36,6 53,33 39,1 22,0 Ca 2+ [mg/l] 132,8 135,82 197,2 187,75 160,9 147,80 152,9 100,6 Fe 2+ [mg/l] 16,75 18,2 6,44 16,6 19,44 15,4 9,0 4,31 Mn 2+ [mg/l] 0,85 1,16 0,71 0,92 0,785 0,95 1,075 0,39 Zn 2+ [mg/l] 0,069 0,058 0,021 0,026 0,218 0,053 0,066 0,13 Al 3+ [mg/l] 0,115 0,10 0,420 0,41 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,115 F [mg/l] 0,20 0,36 0,20 0,47 0,10 0,34 0,20 0,20 Cl - [mg/l] 377,1 328,13 949,9 630,88 656,2 351,70 369,8 117,8 Br - [mg/l] 0,75 1,23 2,91 2,34 0,82 0,74 1,52 0,29 I- [mg/l] 0,34 0,44 1,13 0,51 0,356 0,34 0,178 0,087 NO 3 [mg/l] 0,76 2,12 1,20 1,93 1,38 2,58 0,80 1,83 SO 4 [mg/l] 10,63 6,83 1,89 16,11 7,49 24,24 3,93 1086 3 SO 2 [mg/l] NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. HS -2 [mg/l] NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. NEG. HCO 3[mg/l] 2385,0 2290,75 5482,0 3576,88 3769,0 2598,1 2280,0 984,0 8 3- PO 4 [mg/l] STOPY STOPY STOPY STOPY STOPY STOP STOPY STOPY Y H2SiO 3 [mg/l] 35,3 31,92 34,68 43,62 29,12 35,36 26,62 28,1 HBO 2 [mg/l] 121,6 94,5 202,0 180,0 182,4 102,0 87,5 35,2

Herkulesspring is the strongest source in Slovakia in the content of minerals (Tab.1) and carbon dioxide. It is well-proven for treatment of stomach and duodenum diseases, in a treatments of respiratory diseases, it is also very effective in fight againts diabetes and male potency. Hlavný spring (Main spring) – spring of acidic character. It is utilised for curing stomach and duodenum disorders, after surgicalintervention of stomach, disorders of liver, lack of gastric acid, blood disorders and problems with formation of blood cells. Lekársky spring (Medical spring)– has acidic character. It is highly mineralized. It is utilised for curing stomach and duodenum disorders with overproduction of gastric acid, for inhalation by chronic bronchitis, inflammation of mucous of the upper respiratory organs, and for enlarged windpipe (trachea) and curing astma. Lekársky and Hlavný spring are located under the one shelter on the top of which is written the name Ľudový spring (Fig.3).

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Fig. 3. Lekársky (Medical) and Hlavný (Main) spring under the one shelter

Alžbeta spring (Elisabeth spring) – this spring is characterised by low content of sodium, it has proved to be useful in curing different disorders of the liver. Klára spring – the water of this spring contains iron. It is carbonic with traces of hydro- sulphide and it is applied in inhalation for respiratory organ disorders and for rheumatic illnesses of the joints. Napoleon spring – the water is hydro-carbonic, with content of chloride, sodium, iron and carbon, with increased content of bore acid. It is applied for therapy of bile duct diseases, collitide and chronic disorders of liver. Anna spring – this spring is appropriate for curing stomach dyspepsia, chronic disorders of pancreas and the upper respiratory organ disorders. Its water is hydrocarbonic, chloridised, with sodium and increased content of metabolite acid. Kolonádnyspring (Colonnade spring) – spring is advisable in curing anaemia, deficit of gastric acid and inflammation of stomach. The clients, who are not accommodated in Bardejov Spa, have the opportunity to taste 2 sources / Main and Medical/ freely accessible under the one shelter and under the common name Folk (Ľudový) spring. These springs are cold but not heated. A lot of people use this folk spring for their day-to-day drinking regime instead of mineral water from the shops.

Indications and procedures Among all Slovak spas hasBardejov Spa widest indicative focus. Oncological diseases, diseases of circulatory and digestive system, metabolic disorders and diseases of the glands with the internal secretion, non-tuberculous respiratory disease, occupational diseases, kidney disease and urinary tract diseases are healed hereand since the last year's locomotor and female diseases as well.

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Fig.4. Sheltered colonnade which is used for drinking treatment

All these indications, except for locomotor diseases and occupational diseases, are also valid for children's spa treatments. Medical care is provided in all spa hotels where clients are examined at the appropriate professional level of the medical staff. The whole complex of therapeutic treatments is provided by the Spa House, where the balneotherapy with the spa clinic is established. Mineral drinking water is served at the Colonnade in particular time intervals (morning - afternoon – evening – 2 hours before breakfast, lunch or dinner). Spa treatment has undergone long-term development and today uses traditional proven procedures with the introduction of modern physiotherapy, balneology and rehabilitation methods. The comprehensive treatment program consists of drinking therapy, hydrotherapy, physical, electro, magneto and light therapy, which are continuously supplemented and adjusted on the basis of new medical knowledge. Indispensable part of the treatment is dietary meals, environmental climate conditions, treatment regimes, and field treatments using specially modified routes, e.g. the oxygen trail, which was mentioned in the introduction of the paper.

Bardejov Spa nowadays Bardejov Spa joint-stock company nowadays owns 33 objects. There are many remarkable historical objects in the area. The most beautiful building of the spa is the Art- Nouveau Hotel Astória (Fig. 5), which is partly renovated. After complete reconstruction, the beautifully renovated Hotel Elisabeth competes well with this hotel.

The joint-stock company Bardejov Spa bought other lands in the spa surroundings. They will serve to build the golf course and rope park. An investment to renovate hotels and public lighting is planned. It will also be invested in energy technologies and innovations. The Elisabeth Hotel, is supposed to go through changes as well, becausethere is an intetion tocreate a new brand called the Royal Hotel. Between hotel Alexander and they will create a relaxation zone. 73

During the main season and especially during the summer events it is obvious that the capacity of the parking places is insufficient. The first car park in front of the spa is neglected and unavailable to the public. Tourists park along the road leading up to the main road to Bardejov, or park their vehicles ruthlessly on a meadow that is also a private property. The main car park is charged, but people complain about it and do not want to pay for the parking, it seems expensive. Because of these problems there are lot of discussions about new parking lot. Preparatory and project works connected to building up a specific „Šariš pub“ are also being carried out. This pub is supposed to be in a building called Karola, which now has the status of a national cultural monument. The most demanding reconstruction awaits the historic Dukla Hotel (formerly Sczéchenyi Hotel, later Slávia). Currently, project work is underway. Estimated costs and construction time are not yet quantified, gross estimate is 10 to 12 mil. EUR. Without an annex building, reconstruction is not real, it would not be redeemable. In the annex building there would be also underground garages, balneological and restaurant services and reception for both parts. The national cultural monument Dukla hotel was built in 1895, but it is currently inoperative and ramshackle. The current owners of the spa have therefore decided to renovate it according to the suggestions of conservationists. Only the skeleton will be left from the original building and a completely new, modern annex for approximately 150 people will be added, which they plan to connect with the central part of the spa.

Fig. 5. Art-Nouveau Hotel Astória

Visitors rate While in 2012 were 16,825 persons accommodated in the spa, five years later, in 2017, the number of visitors was 27,170, which means 61% more. Jaroslav Komora, General

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Manager of Bardejov Spa j.s.c., informed about this, on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the 21st Spa season. In 2017, Bardejov Spa again exceeded record numbers in visitor rate when it accommodated 27,170 clients, an increase of 6.5% compared to 2016. Year-on-year, the number of overnight stays increased by 2.5% and reached the number of 270 535. However, up to 95% of Slovak citizens and only 5% of foreign clients were accommodated here. Foreign visitors came mailny from the Czech Republic, , , and Belarus, in a smaller amount also from Israel, and Hungary. During the summer season, the spa traditionally had many one-day visitors, estimated at around 200,000 per year. Space for tourism development is mainly focused on congress and incentive tourism, especially at the four-star congress hotel Alexander. Guests are looking for it because of the high level of accommodation and service, exceptional cuisine and wellness. The reconstructed historic hotel, Elisabeth, in which the Emperor Elisabeth, called Sisi, was healed in the past, is another attraction in the area of the spa. It attracts with its romantic atmosphere and connection to the Empress Sisi, especially female visitors who can live in her apartment are charmed with this offer. The opportunities for the growth of foreign visitors were still not fulfilled. Here are reserves mainly in inconvenient transport infrastructure, missing highways and airports.

Conclusion Thanks to the project called „Bardejov - Gorlice "Geotourism - Chance for the Development of the Polish-Slovak Border" can Bardejov Spa and its surroundings provide other, new possibilities not just for spa patients, but also for inhabitants of , as well as for tourists and especially geotourists. With its specific goals and conception is this project mainly focused on the last mentioned group of visitors. Except mineral water resources, as interesting and valuable geotourist attractions, it can draw attention also to other geological and biological sites of the area. Bardejov Spa offers every year many various events – traditional folk festivals, blessing of mineral springs in Colonnade, International Musical Summer, Elisabeth’s Day dedicated to empress „Sissi“, beer and wine festivals and animation programs for children. This offer could be extended by new geotourist events like guided tours to surroundings, guided tours specialized on mineral sources or tours with the use of several mobile applications dedicated to geotourism. These applications could be created thanks to the above mentioned project as well.

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