| Rabka-Zdrój is a mountain health resort in southern Poland. It is scenically located 70 km south of Kraków on the main road from Kraków to Zakopane, 530m above sea level in a valley where the rivers Poniczanka and Sionka join the river Raba between the Gorce and Beskid Wyspowy mountains.The population of Rabka-Zdrój is around 13,000. Rabka, known since the XIIIth century for its salt-works, became a health spa in 1864, and the first treatment centre for children was established a few years later. The healing quality of the chloride-sodium-iodine brines together with an especially mild microclimate has made Rabka-Zdrój one of the most popular health resorts in Poland. Today the local brines are used in many sanatoriums, spa hospitals and 'preventoriums' together offering 2,000 beds. Rabka is Poland's main spa centre for the treatment of children. |