History of mineral spa

In year 1591 was one of the greatest Polish magnates – count Šebastian Lubomirski designated by the Polish king Žigmund Vaza as hereditary mayor of Spiš’s cities. Count Šebastián Ľubomirski settled down at Ľubovňa castle and once he knew the mineral spa of Vyšné Ružbachy, he decided to build spa complex for it's noble visitors.

In year 1635 were Ružbachy well-known mineral spa locality, even a cultural centre. Polish and Hungarian aristocracy was getting together there.

Blossom of spa lasted more than 100 years, as long as the Lubomirsky family were ruling them. They built up pallaces, spa and entertainment facilities there.

After Theodor Konstantin Lubomirski (1699-1744), who was the last spa administrator, the fame and rating of Ružbachy started to diminish.

In year 1772 directorate of Maria Theresa took over. They profited as much as they could, but did not invest anything.

Since 1800, spa were so abandoned and lossy, that directorate organized and auction, but unfortunatelly no-one was interested. Nothing remained after a fame of glorious pallaces. Just the mineral water, which was rising out of the Earth’s hearth was a benefit for the local poverty.

In year 1825 the count Eugen Emerich Jóny obtained the region of Ružbachy as a royal dowry. This creative count built up on that time modern spa residence, a mirror bath, an outdoor park and other facilities. The death of E.E.Jóny ended this expansion and prosperity.

In year 1882 Andrej Zamoyski bought Nižné and Vyšné Ružbachy. He built a new spa residence named Karolina (later Kriváň) after his wife – princess Karoline of Baurbon, niece of the last Napoli king. Other two buildings – Mária (Mary, later Mier) and Terézia (Theresa, later Torysa) were named after his daughters.

After death of Andrej Zamoyski, his youngest son married the niece of spanish king – Izabelle Baurbon, and this way he gained lot of funds. He built up therapeutic facility (later named Dukla) and made a plan of further development. This way Zamoyski family put the basic ground for today’s mineral spa Vyšné Ružbachy.