In the oilfield landscape of the Subcarpathian region one can see a large number of still active oil wells and gaps*. But oil is not everything. There are also many natural gas deposits.
The most interesting of them can be seen in Iwonicz-Zdrój - one of the oldest Polish spas with more than 430 years of traditionknown for its many mineral waters used for drinking, inhalation, bathing and for the production of medicinal salts. As a result, many sanatoriums with a rich offer for spa guests have been established here.
In a pleasant place in the middle of the forest, on the slopes of Mount Przedziwna, it is possible to see the oldest and most famous, and once also the most precious healing spring in Iwonicz-Zdrój. Gas escaping from the bottom causes a characteristic bubbling water, where the name of the spring comes from - gibberish. Once upon a time, in the days of its discovery, there was so much gas escaping with the water that they used to light it for fun.
The famous spring was immortalised in one of his poems by Wincenty Pol, who wrote about Bełkotka:
Something rustled sweetly in the shadows of those woods,
Today, just like years ago, you greet us "Bełkotka"!
Oh, what joy flows through the soul!
Pure flame is obtained from thy streams!
And filled with reverence at thy fountains
Praise God for the wonders of our earth!
For the pure fire and the roaring gurgle of the spring,
What mysteriously comes out of the ground,
It is akin to the life of our hearts,
What is born of flames and silent tears!
His bust, the work of Iwonicz resident and outstanding sculptor Władysław Kandefer, together with the above-mentioned poem, are located at the mouth of the spring.
Sidewalk leading along the Bełkotka spring to Mount Przedziwna is marked in white and blue and its length is about 2.2 km. The route leads from the centre of Iwonicz, past the bath house and the concert stage, then through the park and picturesque wooded ravines.
Worth a visit:
- the historical centre of Iwonicz-Zdrój, where the spatial layout and the integrated complex of wooden buildings of the spa from the mid-19th century have been preserved (the mineral water colonnade, the Spa House, the Wolla "Bazar" with a clock tower, the Old Spa)
- The palace-park complex in Iwonicz: the 18th-century park by the manor house, the Winter Palace, the orangery, the Arian sanctuary
- Parish church in Iwonicz with rich baroque decoration
* Gauge - a pump used for pumping oil from a reservoir with low natural pressure. It is the taper that is featured in the logo of the Black Gold Explorers route.
