Sister cities of Truskavets

Truskavets (Ukrainian: Трускавець, translit. Truskavets'; Polish: Truskawiec) is a city in western Ukraine's Lviv Oblast (province), near the border with Poland. The city is designated as a separate raion (district) within the oblast.

Truskavets is famous for its mineral springs, which have made it one of Ukraine's great resorts. For most visitors the primary goal is consuming the various 'local waters.' The most famous is the sulfur-scented, slightly saline 'Naftusia.' The town lies in an attractive little valley in the Carpathian foothills and is easily reached from L'viv by bus or train. The vast majority of tourists who come to Truskavets are either Ukrainian or Russian.

In 2000 a special economic zone (SEZ) was established in Truskavets for the period of 20 years. Known as "Kurortopolis Truskavets", the SEZ offers various tax privileges for businesses and investors. Some 13 investment projects have been approved under its framework, with the majority focusing on health and medical treatment.

Truskawiec was first mentioned in 1427. At that time the village was property of Kings of Poland, and was located in Ruthenian Voivodeship. First baths were opened here in 1827 when, after the Partitions of Poland, Truskavets belonged to Austrian Galicia. In 1836 Jozef Micewski, with support of Agenor Goluchowski, initated construction of the spa complex. In 1853, the village was visited by Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, and in 1898, a monument of Adam Mickiewicz was funded by Polish residents of the town. In 1911, a rail station was opened here, and by 1913, some 5,000 tourists came here annually.

In the Second Polish Republic, Truskawiec emerged as one of the most popular spas. In the 1920s and 1930s, almost 300 hotels, villas and guest houses were built here. The town received three gold medals for Poland’s best spa resort. Among famous visitors, who came here were such personalities, as Stanislaw Wojciechowski, Józef Piłsudski, Leon Sapieha, Wincenty Witos, Ignacy Daszynski, Eugeniusz Bodo, Adolf Dymsza, Julian Tuwim, Stanislaw Witkiewicz, Bruno Schulz, Zofia Nalkowska, Stanisawa Walasiewiczowna, Halina Konopacka and Janusz Kusocinski.

On August 29, 1931, Polish minister Tadeusz Holowka was murdered in Truskawiec by a group of members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, who were helped by Greek-Catholic nuns. The murderes were captured almost two years later.

Among people from Truskavets are Marian Dlugolecki (Polish military officer), Rajmund Jarosz (actor and artist), Zbigniew Kopalko (film director), Kazimierz Pelczar (academic and physician), and S-F writer Eugeniusz Debski.