The town of Jeseník, also
called The Pearl of the Jeseníky Region and comfortably nestling
on a hillside, is located on a picturesque spot on the confluence
of the Staříč and Bělá Rivers. The town was probably founded
in the 20s–30s of the 13th century on a vast gravel pit near
the river confluence. The original name of the town was Freiwaldau/Frývaldov
(from the German frei vom Walde“). The oldest history dates
back to the early Stone Age. The first reference of Frývaldov
originates from 1267. The first hydrotherapy institute in
the world was established at the beginning of the 19th century
in the Gräfenberg settlement, one of today s parts of Jeseník.
The Priessnitz curative spa is located in a glorious spot
on the hillside of the most eastern spur of the Rychlebské
Mountains, approximately 2 km from the town of Jeseník,
perched on an average altitude of 620 meters above sea level
in the northern tip of Silesia and Moravia. The grounds
of the spa are sensitively placed in the country and dominate
the whole surrounding area, providing the only view of the
entire main ridge of the Hrubý Jeseník mountains. The climate
is extraordinarily favourable: it is protected from three
directions – eastern, western and southern by the high mountain
ranges; only the northern direction is open to the Polish
flat lands. The local micro-climate has been recently monitored
and proved again to be very agreeable for healing the upper
and lower airways, blood circulation diseases, and the nervous
system. It enables healing patients at any time of the year.
The Priessnitz curative spa owes its existence and subsequent
fame to one man – Vincenz Priessnitz (1799–1851) who became
the founder of hydrotherapy and who founded the first hydrotherapy
institute in the world in Gräfenberg in 1822. Priessnitz
had a God-given gift as a physician, he had intuition, extraordinary
observation skills and memory, and, moreover, he introduced
his ideas at the right time and in the right place.
Doctor Josef Schindler (1814–1890) was a respectable successor
of Priessnitz. He took over the spa in 1853 and ran it for
38 years. Schindler’s successor was his assistant Dr. Eduard
Emmel, who enhanced the therapy with other procedures, for
example massages in hydrotherapy. LevGräfenberg achieved
world recognition under the
guidance
of senior consultant Dr. Josef Reinhold (1885–1947), a great
psychiatrist and psychologist, who managed to link Priessnitz’s
heritage with the latest scientific achievements. The future
of the spa was uncertain after the war in 1945 but fortunately
it was given a chance to develop further. The Jeseník spa
was privatised in 1992. It became a joint-stock company
and used the name of its famous founder – Priessnitzovy
léčebné lázně a. s. Jeseník (Priessnitz Therapeutic Spas,
Inc. Jeseník). Its emblem carries a lion, the symbol of
the victorious method of Priessnitz’s hydrotherapy, but
also a lion that urges the successors of the famous water
doctor to help people regain health and happiness through
a combination of pure natural means and the latest scientific
knowledge. Today, about 12,000 guests visit the spa every
year.
The
spa therapy is based on the use of natural therapeutic sources
combined with the latest healing and rehabilitation methods.
With the exception of therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy,
hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy, the Priessnitz healing spa
is typical for: Priessnitz baths, herbal and bubble baths,
inhalations, electrosleep, music therapy, magnetotherapy,
oxygen therapy, lymph drainage, gas injections, photo therapy,
art therapy, acupuncture, computer kinesiology, and procedures
of myoskeletal medicine. The physicians have their own biochemical
laboratory and a laboratory examining functions of the heart
and lungs including load checks and load examination circuits.
The main spa houses provide non-stop medical services.
Diseases of the circulation system
High blood pressure, ischaemic heart diseases, diseases endangering
the vascular system, preventative spa treatment for patients
with prognostically serious risk factors (high level of lipids,
high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high level of uric
acid, etc. including combinations of these risk factors endangering
the cardiac vascular system).
Diseases caused by disorders of metabolism
and internal secretion glands
Hyperfunction or hypofunction, conditions after thyroid gland
surgery.
Non-tuberculosis diseases of the respiratory system
Asthma bronchiale, allergic diseases of the airways,
chronic bronchitis, voice disorders and hoarseness, conditions
after airways surgery.
Locomotive organs disorders
Painfull diseases of the tendons, muscles, insertions, non-articular,
rheumatism, and painful spine syndromes.
Mental disorders
Neuroses, neurotic states, psychosomatic diseases,
psychotic states, etc.
Skin diseases
Atopic eczema, dermorespiratory syndromes.
Gynecological diseases
Disorders of function, climacteric syndrome, menstrual
disorders, etc.
| Treatment
for children |
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The
Priessnitz healing spa has been providing spa treatment to
children since 1992 in four sanatoriums: children aged 3–6
years with accompaniment and youth in the Wolker, Maryčka
and Bílý Kříž Sanatoriums, whereas children aged 6 and above
in the Karolina sanatorium complex. A non-stop medical service
and the service of nurses are ensured in all of the sites.
| Offer
of other services |
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Stays
in the Priessnitz curative spa do not only include healing
procedures but also a wide choice of active leisure time,
starting in the main spa and tourist season. The international
Franz Schubert piano competition, the Karel Ditters of Dittersdorf
Festival, open-air concerts in the spa park in the summer
and other cultural events organised in the Mirror and Congress
Halls, all represent time-proven examples of cultural life.
Popular among the guests are dance parties in the Indoor Garden,
disco parties in the Castle Café and the traditional ball
season. The spa library provides a wide range of books for
borrowing. Many visitors enjoy the nice complements to the
main programme – the guided walks, tourism, cycling tours,
or sightseeing coach trips to more
distant
areas, including Poland. In winter, skiers will find ideal
skiing conditions in the ski resorts in Ramzová, Na Miroslavi,
Petříkov and Červenohorské sedlo. For those desirous of a
less demanding activity, suitable terrain in the nearby surroundings
cater to their needs. There are tennis courts, miniature golf,
a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a sauna, and mountain bike
hire, all aimed at sports relaxation. There is a winter stadium
with an artificial playing area and a skating rink, toboggan,
and ski hire. Other services include a full beauty parlour,
a pedicure parlour, a nail parlour, a hairdresser, tanning,
shops, a library with Internet facility, parking, etc.
PRIESSNITZ SANATORIUM ***
The Priessnitz spa is located in a picturesque spot
620 meters above sea level. This main spa building, built
in 1910 in the original Art Nouveau style with stylish interiors
according to the design of the Viennese architect Bauer, dominates
the panoramic surroundings. The main building is connected
on its left with a newer building built 17 years later. The
range of the hotel and spa services provided is high quality,
enabling guests to enjoy a nice stay in a spa with premium
standards. The dining rooms offer both local and international
cuisine, including a sumptuous choice of vegetarian and diet
foods. In addition to the main spa building, there are the
Medical Villa and Jubilee Villa.
Guests can avail themselves of the opportunity of spending
a nice time with their friends in the hospitable and friendly
environment of the Denní bar (Daily Bar) or the popular Zimní
zahrada (Winter Garden) where you will not only experience
traditional Moravian hospitality but also the beautiful view
of Zlatý Chlum with its observation tower, and the Polish
flat lands. The evening dance parties further enhance the
peaceful nature of the stay.
Priessnitz provides hydrotherapy procedures, carbonic baths,
massages, electro-sleep, magneto-therapy, and other special
therapies under the professional guidance of physicians and
physiotherapists.
BEZRUČ ***
Bezruč
Spa is a newly reconstructed building with high quality accommodation
facilities comprising 1- and 2-bed rooms. Most rooms have
spacious balconies with a fascinating view of the Hrubý Jeseník
mountain range. Meals include both Czech and international
cuisine, with a choice of diet and vegetarian meals. The building
itself provides inhalation therapies. The remaining procedures
are provided in the nearby spa facilities.
JAN RIPPER ***
The newly reconstructed Jan Ripper Spa bears the name of V.
Priessnitz’s son-in-law and is located in the quiet environment
of the spa centre, approximately 50 m away from the balneo-therapy
building with an extraordinary view of the whole mountain
skyline of the Hrubý Jeseník mountains. In addition to the
main spa there is the Mír (Peace) building. This building
is connected with the balneo-therapy building, comprising
a sauna and most spa procedures. The dining room in the Jan
Ripper building offers both Czech and international cuisine,
with a choice of diet and vegetarian meals. Guests accommodated
in the Mír building take their meals in the dining room of
the Bezruč building, approximately 150 m away.
