Mineral waters in Krynica have been known since the 17th century. A "Small House", built in 1794, marked the beginnings of the health resort and 10 years later became the first bathing centre. In 1807 Krynica was officially recognised as a health resort.The town was merely a small Lemko village until 1856, when Józef Dietl popularised the qualities of the mineral waters spurting from deep within the ground. Dietl, a professor of the Jagiellonian University and a distinguished president of Kraków, is called the father of the Polish balneology. Thanks to him, numerous spa facilities came to being, such as Stare Łazienki (Old Baths), Dom Zdrojowy (Spa House), Pijalnia Główna (Main Pump Room), the promenade and Teatr Modrzewiowy (Modrzewiowy Theatre). Soon the town became one of the most fashionable health resorts. The cream of the society and many artists used to come here “for the waters”. It was frequented by famous painters: Jan Matejko, Artur Grottger, writers and poets: Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński, Henryk Sienkiewicz, actors: Ludwik Solski and Helena Modrzejewska, but the person most deeply attached to Krynica was Jan Kiepura, a world famous opera singer. He enjoyed resting here, and even built an elegant guesthouse: villa Patria. The Jan Kiepura European Festival is the most important cultural event in Krynica, attracting famous singers from the entire world. Some of the festival performances take place in the open air, on the promenade, which alludes to the habits of Kiepura, who used to perform spontaneously in various public places. Krynica mineral waters come from 23 springs and the most popular is "Kryniczanka". The local mineral waters include the highly carbonated alkaline waters and calcium ferruginous waters. Most springs in Krynica are available free of charge in public pump rooms, especially in Pijalnia Główna (Main Pump Room). By the entrance to this modern facility spurts Zdrój Główny (Main Spring), the symbol of the Krynica health resort. Apart from this one, in Krynica you can drink water from the “Jan", “Zuber”, “Tadeusz” and “Słotwinka” springs. The latter is also drunk in the Słotwiński Park. The Słotwinka pump room found there dates back to 1863 and is the oldest building in Krynica-Zdrój, originally erected in 1806 by the promenade in the centre of the health resort, where Pijalnia Główna is now located. The third pump room is the wooden Jan pavilion from 1923. The “Józef” and “Jan” springs are available here. Mineral Waters: “Jan”, “Józef”, “Kryniczanka”, “Mieczysław”, “Słotwinka”, “Tadeusz”, “Zdrój Główny”, “Zuber I, II, III, IV”. Your stay in Krynica does not have to be limited to therapies, as the tourist attractions, both in the health resort and in its surroundings, are in abundance. A walk along the main town promenade is an opportunity to admire the historic spa buildings.