Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Thermal spa city in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Jastrzębie-Zdrój is a thermal spa town in southern Poland close to the Czech border, surrounded by industrial areas and former coal mining sites. The town spreads over ground that once held separate villages and spa facilities built around natural mineral springs.
A small settlement turned into a European health resort in 1862 after the discovery of iodine and bromine springs in the area. The town grew rapidly in the 20th century when coal mines and industrial facilities were built around it.
The city saw major workers' protests in the 1980s that helped shape the Solidarity movement across Poland. This period remains part of how many residents understand their community's identity and past struggles.
The central transport hub links the town to nearby cities through regular bus routes with direct connections to Katowice and Rybnik. Several parks and green spaces are spread across residential areas and can be reached on foot or by local public transport.
The name joins two Polish words: jastrząb for hawk and zdrój for the natural springs that shaped the early growth of the place. Visitors today still see traces of the spa tradition alongside modern residential districts that date from the mining era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
