Construction of a holiday resort began in 1880 in Kvetnica, near the eastern Slovak town of Poprad, under the patronage of Poprad’s mayor, Eduard Graff. Over time, and with considerable effort, it evolved into a full-fledged spa resort.
Surrounded by a pristine and peaceful natural environment, after World War I railway employees often came here for treatment of tuberculosis. Other pulmonary diseases were treated at the spa for several more decades.
But the captivating environment of Kvetnica had been discovered by people long before the spa emerged at this location. Centuries ago, a castle was mentioned at a place called Zámčisko. Unfortunately, this fortification no longer exists and little is known about it.
In the 19th century, the Great Hungarian Carpathian Association wrote that Count Albín Csáki, master of Zámčisko, had constructed a shelter with an observation tower on the top of the hill.
From this slightly romantic, colourised postcard, we can see how Kvetnica looked just after World War I.
This article was first published by The Slovak Spectator on August 3, 2009. It has been updated to be relevant today.
