village of Cherche located near the city of Bear spears in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, perhaps, is not so widely known how the well-known balneological resorts of Truskavets or Morshin. And, nevertheless, within the review of the Ukrainian health resorts it is necessary to mention this place separately as it quite deserves it.
Also, as well as in other areas near the Carpathians, near Cherche there are mineral sources sated with useful minerals. Nevertheless, development of the village as resort, began rather late – at the beginning of the XX century. Locals well knew positive properties of local water and dirt throughout many centuries, applying them in traditional medicine, however their system application began relatively recently by the standards of history.
First of all, it is necessary to describe a geographical location of the village of Cherche. Areas in this part Opolya rather boggy, at the same time marsh waters receive feed from underground sources. These sources also introduce useful substances thanks to which natural raw materials can be used for treatment in their structure.
Ago this secret locals managed to open a long time. The marsh water gathered in buckets and which a little settled helped to treat them various illnesses – an ache in bones, indispositions, diseases of joints and many other things. Therefore, local swamps were appreciated how a source of healing water and dirt. Dirt from swamps near Cherche was even carried for sale in Bear spears, arranging the improvised bathtubs for all comers there. However in wide circles this fact remained the unknown up to the beginning of the XX century when other Ukrainian balneological resorts already functioned and received guests including from abroad.
Features of local marsh water were open absolutely accidentally, during army maneuvers in these regions – then for Cherche, together with other Western Ukraine, was a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Military physicians from among Ukrainians noticed that many peasants of the village have the special equipped swimming baths where apply marsh water in farms. This fact interested doctors, and tests of water and dirt were sent to analyses to Vienna.
As showed laboratory researches, waters of swamps near Cherche really contained the mass of useful substances, as caused further development of Cherche as resort. In Cherche beginning of the century as the resort, was equipped generally on private means, and some of businessmen of those times hurried to benefit, building swimming baths and pavilions for reception of water procedures. There were also private holiday houses, boarding houses and other institutions accepting vacationers here. And, if initially their number was a little, and even in the 20th years of the XX century came to three hundred visitors during the season here, then a bit later hydropathic matter in Cherche was developed much more widely.
The resort got support and at the state level – being already a part of Poland. Dealt with the issue Cherche both individuals, and public figures, patrons and the whole organizations. Finally, shortly before the beginning of World War II the resort was brought to qualitatively other level and was ready to argue with other, not less famous places both Ukraine, and Europe.
Cherche developed not only in the practical relation, but also in esthetic too. Thanks to the fact that owners of boarding houses competed in fight for the client very beautiful buildings which are examples of unique architecture began to appear here. Was in Cherche and the chapel built in modernist style and which had a reputation for one of the best in all Galicia appeared much amazing beauty of country houses. Alas, preservation of the most part of all this was interfered by further events.
First of all, annexation by the Soviet Russia of the Western Ukraine led to decline of private business in these parts – all boarding houses departed in favor of the state and were converted in sanatorium for the staff of the Soviet enterprises and institutions. However soon after that Ukraine was occupied by Hitlerites that caused desolation of the resort for long time. Cherche was the transit point for military connections, and only the high-ranking German officers used the benefits of the local nature – for all other citizens the resort ceased to work. And only after liberation of Ukraine from Germans of a balneary of Cherche resumed the activity for wide circles.
Noticeable crisis endured Cherche and in the first times after finding of independence by Ukraine. In view of existence of much more important problems, did not pay to the small resort enough attention. And some later Cherche's status was set at the legislative level, and development went again up that occurs and today.
Today Cherche is extremely cozy resort, though not really big scales. Nevertheless, in view of the last moment it remarkably is suitable for quiet family holiday, for aged people and for patients with various diseases. Mainly, here treat the musculoskeletal device. There is a treatment, as well as hundred years ago, to use of local water and curative dirt.
Certainly, all this does not mean that in Cherche – it is boring. Here all necessary infrastructure is adjusted to occupy guests in hours, leisure between procedures. There are a movie theater, club, library and it is a lot of other useful places. Considering proximity of the ancient city the Bear spear, for all comers will organize excursions with the review of its churches and other monuments of ancient architecture. Thus, having a rest in Cherche, everyone will manage to combine useful and pleasant.
If you wish to have a rest, revitalize well an organism or to purposefully cure any disease, Cherche's choice as resort, will be not the worst. The beautiful nature, a measured situation, attentive staff of clinics – all this expects any who will decide to arrive here. For this reason of Cherche and today remains demanded both among citizens of Ukraine, and among foreigners.