Travels in Galicia: Day 6

Шостий день - Thursday, October 14, 2010

This morning's drive was a lot quicker than yesterday's, and the road leading south from L'viv was in better condition. I'm constantly amazed, leaving L'viv, how such a beautiful city can be surrounded by so may frightening buildings, but I guess that's what happens when form completely gives way to function.
Our first stop was the town of Truskavets, which is set in a valley in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains, and known far and wide (well, in Eastern Europe, anyway...) for the curative powers of its mineral-rich spring water. It's home to a number of spas and health retreats where people come to get relief from their ailments. At one point, we were planning to stay here for a few days, but we couldn't get a reservation. That was just as well, because although it was very pleasant to visit, it doesn't quite seem worth it unless you're in for a ten-day kidney treatment.

Beautiful house/museum, made entirely of wood, in Truskavets

Another view of the house

In the downtown, there's a large plaza. Because Truskavets is a resort town, a lot of entertainers perform there. There was a stage set up at one end of the plaza, and there were tons of fliers advertising the upcoming concerts. Beyond the plaza was a beautiful park. The weather was cool and crisp, and was perfect for strolling the park's wooded pathways, past the various springs (marked by small wooden buildings). There was a "fountain of youth," where we sampled some spring water.

Upcoming events

Beautiful forest

A friendly woodland creature (called білка/bilka in Ukrainian)

Water from the "fountain of youth"

The fountain

Dad, at the fountain, rejuvenated.


View of the plaza

The main attraction here is the "Naftusya" mineral water. There's a large pavilion at one of the plaza, which opens several times a day in accordance with doctor-recommended intervals, and patients go to take in the healing waters. There are taps for the different springs, from which the water is pumped into the buildings. It's available either warm or cold. "Naftusya" means "oil-water," and its mineral content gives it a slight petroleum odor. It's supposedly good for flushing toxins from your kidneys. It's also bottled and sold commercially, but its healthful effects apparently diminish overtime, so it's best to drink it straight from the source. However, it's also known to wear down the enamel of your teeth, so most of the patients here drink the water from these special ceramic jugs with long spouts, so you can bypass your teeth. Since we were only trying the water once, we opted not to purchase a jug and instead just filled up plastic cups.