THE HEALING POWERS OF SALT- ONLY IN CIECHOCINEK

Would you like to spend a day in a town where the air can make you feel reborn? Well, you will have to come to Ciechocinek, the world-famous Polish spa town in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, around 12 miles from the city of Toruń.

I am very lucky because Ciechocinek is within an hour’s drive from my hometown, Chelmza. I try to visit it at least once a year and I always leave it refreshed, relaxed and appreciative of the incredible wooden structures which turn salty water into a mist whilst it slowly drops down the wooden sticks, creating a magical and healthy microclimate. I love breathing in the gentle mist deep into my lungs, turning the walk around these massive structures a meditative ritual.

The three long, wooden structures are called ‘saline graduation towers’.  Saline water from the natural springs in this area contains chloride, sodium, iodide, and bromide which is used in many medical treatments.  The frame towers date back to the 19th century and are the town’s greatest attractions. These three ventilators measure 1741 meters long and 16 meters high. The framework was built of large wooden timbers and the centers are filled with dry blackthorn shrub twigs and branches laid horizontally.

The saline water is pumped to the top of the structure and allowed to flow down through the branches. Natural breezes pass through the structure effectively turning them into giant ventilators. Iodine and ozone from the water are picked up by the gentle winds and released into the immediate area with proven therapeutic results.

The area of the three graduation towers is surrounded by many parks and fountains. Hundreds of people spend weeks and even months in the local health spas which offer various medical treatments.

The visit to Ciechocinek cannot be without the iconic picture with my mama where we look like a couple ( I never want to be the guy! 🙂

The town is very touristy, especially in the summer season so it’s good to visit it on a weekday to be able to appreciate the beauty of the area. It’s also much easier to find a table in restaurants offering delicious Polish meals. This time I chose the cod with potatoes and salad. But be warned, you will only know how much to pay for the fish once it’s cooked and weighed before it lands on your plate. The price in the menu when you order it can be a bit misleading. It is something I have never experienced anywhere else in the world so it must be a Polish ‘thing’ 🙂 Still very delicious though!

The summer is all about…ice cream or at least it shouldn’t be without it. And since it can be eaten whilst inhaling the healing air, it is not so naughty after all. And everyone deserves a bit of pleasure now and again, right?

There is one more temptation I need to warn you against… It’s called ‘GOFRY’ so waffle-like creations covered with a mountain of whipped cream. Yes I know it’s a lot of calories but a visit to Ciechocinek cannot be without it. My level of feeling guilty- Zero 🙂

I love my yearly visits to the tranquil and relaxing Ciechocinek and I think you might like it too. So if you ever find yourself in the area, remember about the magical healing powers of the salty air. After all, we cannot underestimate that every breath we take equals life. Without it, we will not live for long. It is an effortless process that our bodies do for us and appreciating its value for us as human beings can only make us happier and healthier. So next time you take a deep breath, think about the air that fills it and be thankful for the wonderful gift you receive with it called LIFE. Here is to every breath we take!

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