History
The earliest history of Lipik is poorly known. From prehistoric times, several archaeological sites in the vicinity of Lipik belong to the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages
During the Roman Empire, the area of Lipik was situated in the Upper Pannonia Province, within the municipal territory of the city - the thermal baths of Aquae Balissae - Thermae Iasorvenses (Daruvar), the administrative center of the Pannonian people Iassa ("Healer"). Their specificity was excellent knowledge of the balneotherapeutic properties of the geothermal springs. It seems that geomorphological, hydromorphological, and microclimatic conditions did not allow for settlement and construction of more permanent structures directly adjacent to the geothermal sources in the Lipik area

Medieval Lipik
In the Middle Ages, from the 13th century, the area of present-day Lipik was located on the estate of the fortress and market town of Bijela Stijena (Feyérkő). Medieval Lipik was most likely situated in the area of the present-day village of Klisa (from Latin ecclesia = church), which is a toponym from the pre-Turkish period. The Turks occupied the fortress and this area in 1543. The village of Lipik belonged to the Vlach Duchy of Subocka. After the liberation of Slavonia from the Turks in 1691, the entire area came under the ownership of the Viennese Court Chamber.
Lipik has been recorded under various names such as Lipik, Lipnik, Lippik, but also probably under the name Vrnjaci/Vrnjci (Verniaczy), which likely has its roots in the word "vruljci" or originates from an old craft called "vrnjčanje," which involved making leather straps and belts from which the upper parts of the then-popular footwear, similar to today's "opanci," were woven. It is not impossible that the name Lipik originates from the name of the lime tree (Latin: Tilia), whose trees could have been near the geothermal springs.
The settlement of Lipik was depicted on a map from 1745 as Lipick - Therme debilitate nervorum laborantibus salubriores, which testifies that the narrative tradition preserved, during the 150 years of Turkish rule, the fact that the springs were known for treating diseases of the nervous system. This is also strong evidence that the local population was familiar with the millennia-old experience of balneorehabilitation tradition. Lipik was part of the Pakrac estate, which changed ownership several times between noble families (Imsen, Trenk, Slavnic) between 1728 and 1760. In the mid-18th century, there is information that "the Pakrac bishop Sofronije Jovanović renovated a special bathhouse building in Lipik." The Catholic population used the chapel of St. Francis, which was managed by the Franciscans
In 1760, the Pakrac estate with the village of Lipik passed into the hands of Count Antun Janković Daruvarski (1729-1789). A topographic map of the village of Lipik (Dorf Lipik) from the late 18th century shows two buildings labeled as "Kupke" (baths). Here is also a stream, a tributary of the Pakra River, which flows southwest of Lipik, named Ilidža or Toplica (Illich oder Topliza). In 1777, a high-ranking official of the Viennese court, F.W. Taube, described strong hot springs, one of which was tapped, and a building with three spacious baths was built: "they particularly affect nervous diseases, joint stiffness, and nerve constriction and spasms, and strangely strengthen a healthy body." University professors from Budapest, M. Piller and L. Mitterpacher, passed through the village of Lippik in 1782 and mentioned the Count's and Lady's ("grofičino") baths, the Public baths, and the Episcopal baths. The first qualitative descriptions of water from four springs were made in 1773, 1777, and 1782 (J.B. Lalangue, H.J. Crantz, M. Piller, and L. Mitterpacher). During the time of Izidor pl. Janković (1789-1857), between 1820 and 1850, a new bathhouse with three baths was built in Lipik: the General Bath, the Bath from the Tower, and the Small Bath, while the Episcopal bath was housed in a separate building.
In 1839, the first true quantitative analysis of the Lipik thermal water was conducted by Dr. D. Wagner, and it was determined to contain a large amount of iodine, making it unique in Europe. In the same period, a passenger station with a inn called "K izvoru" (Inn at the Spring) was built. In the distant eastern periphery of Lipik, called Izidorovac (Izidorház), a stud farm was founded in 1843, where horses were bred for the needs of the Janković estate and the Habsburg Monarchy army. During the time of Count Julije Janković (1820-1904), Lipik had 30 houses and 228 inhabitants, two bathhouse buildings, one hotel, and several inns. The baths were leased out, and in 1861, the entire Pakrac estate was sold to the French company Henry-D'Heureux-Gibal, which was engaged in the exploitation of Slavonian oak forests. In 1862, Professor I. Seegen from the University of Vienna arrived in Lipik, a renowned balneologist who published that "these iodine baths are unique in Europe, but the facilities and reception do not correspond to their significance." The composition of the water was suitable for treating a large number of diseases or for general recovery of the body after intensive treatment, such as syphilis, but it was particularly effective for treating chronic inflammations, rheumatism, gout, rickets, and sciatica. In 1867, the owner of the baths became the nobleman and timber merchant Antun Knoll from Vukovar, who initiated the transformation of Lipik into a modern spa.
Construction of new bathhouse facilities and a park began, with the shaping of terraces with the assistance of experts from Budapest. Dr. H. Kern was appointed as the manager, along with Dr. A. Holtzer, who immediately started the drainage of marshes. He significantly improved the spa and reorganized its operations by introducing state-of-the-art treatment methods, laying the foundation for Lipik to become a modern balneotherapy center not only in Croatia but also in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The manual digging of an "artesian well" to a depth of 234 meters with minimal technical support was carried out by the renowned mining engineer V. von Zsigmondy. This is considered one of the first wells of its kind in this part of Europe. A pavilion called Antunovo vrelo was built above the well, with water temperature of 64°C and a tap installed for on-site consumption as part of Dr. Kern's prescribed treatment. Between 1870 and 1872, the "Stone baths" were built, along with the "Garni" hotel (later the "Kurhotel"), and shortly after, the "Dependence" hotel was completed. Lipik became a resort, offering not only baths but also numerous entertainment and recreational facilities, with accommodation for 350 to 400 guests. In 1875, bottling of the thermal water began, which was exported throughout the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy under the name Lipiker thermalquelle or Lipiki hevviz
In 1885, with the purchase of the baths by the Budapest physicians J. Deutsch and E. Schwimmer, Lipik became a fashionable resort in Central Europe. Between 1886 and 1893, the Roman baths, Marble baths, Salon baths, Wandelbahn (covered promenade), and Kursalon (Spa salon) with a monumental dome were built. The Kursalon contained a ceremonial hall, restaurant, café, billiards room, casino, and a ladies' music salon. At an exhibition in Budapest, the historicist (late Romantic) representative park of Lipik, covering an area of 10.4 hectares, received special recognition and was declared the best-designed spa park in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. When the chief provincial physician V. Struppi visited Lipik in 1895, he mentioned, among other things, that the new buildings and extensions were "very beautiful." The town had three large hotels and numerous guesthouses, with visitors also accommodated in surrounding villages. An electric power plant was built in 1894 to meet the needs of the spa. In 1890, Lipik separated from Pakrac and became an Administrative Municipality. The railway reached Lipik in 1897. The atmosphere at the baths during this time was typical of the multinational Monarchy, featuring Viennese and Budapest cuisine, Prague confectionery, and musical ensembles of all kinds (military, classical, tamburitza, vocal, or gypsy violins), with the exotic addition of proximity to Bosnia and the Ottoman Empire, offering lamb on the spit and a Turkish café as part of the offering. During its golden age from 1890 to 1914, Lipik was visited by 4,000 to 5,000 people annually.
Between the wars
Between the wars
The First World War indeed marked the end of a prosperous era for Lipik. The spa resort was converted into a military recuperation facility. With the establishment of the new state of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1918, the owner of the spa became the Territorial Foundation for Tuberculosis Control from Zagreb, which also marked the beginning of a renewed development of health tourism.
In 1918, Lipik's alkaline iodine medicinal water began to be bottled in 1-liter bottles, and as table water, it was bottled in 1.4 and 0.5-liter bottles. In the 1930s, Lipik once again became a strong health and tourist center, with 65,536 overnight stays recorded in 1938, placing it second in the number of overnight stays in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia at that time.
During the Second World War, larger units of the Axis powers' army and police were stationed in the spa buildings to secure the strategic transportation route and railway line Virovitica - Daruvar - Banova Jaruga. During the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), the spa held the title of State Baths. Partisans liberated Lipik without resistance on September 13, 1944. Following the occupation and subsequent liberation, the devastated spa began admitting patients only in 1946.
In 1953, Lipik treated 2,176 patients. Under the auspices of the Neuropsychiatric and Internal Clinic in Zagreb, a newly formed Hospital Department for Medical Rehabilitation for 150 patients per day was opened in 1957. The manual bottling of mineral water transitioned into an industrial operation in 1968 when a production facility for bottling water was opened in the eastern wing of the Kursalon. The name "Lipički studenac" was conceptualized in 1973 and remained unchanged until 1998 when it became known as "Studenac."
In 1965, the park in Lipik, as the largest and most valuable spa park in terms of garden architecture in Croatia, was inscribed in the Register of Protected Natural Objects. Additionally, in 1980, the urban complex of Lipik was listed in the register of immovable cultural monuments.
In 1966, the Hospital for Neurological Diseases was established, which also included hospitality services. The institution changed its name in 1971 to the Hospital for Neurological Diseases and Rehabilitation "Božidar Maslarić," employing 240 staff and having 375 beds. The geothermal water was successfully used for treating neurological and rheumatic diseases, as well as post-traumatic and postoperative conditions after musculoskeletal surgeries. In 1983, the tourism offer expanded with the construction of the Health-Recreation Center - the modern Lipik Hotel with an indoor pool. Additionally, the Kursalon, Wandelbahn promenade, and Olympic pool were renovated. In 1989, Lipik Hospital hosted 5,867 guests for hospital treatment, resulting in 113,428 overnight stays, which is a remarkable indicator excluding stays at the Begovača Hotel, the Lipik ZRC Hotel, and private accommodations.
During the Homeland War from 1991 to 1992, the facilities of the spa were damaged to varying degrees. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was completely demolished. The Lipizzaner horses from the Lipik Stud Farm were taken to Serbia (returned in 2007). Upon retreating, the Chetnik forces set fire to the Kursalon building, Wandelbahn promenade, hotels, Health-Recreation Center, and Children's Home. In March 1994, by the decision of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, the hospital regained its status as a Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation. Since then, every effort has been made annually to further modernize the hospital facilities while simultaneously restoring the cultural heritage and traditional foundations on which this spa was established. With the establishment of the Požega-Slavonia County in 1993, Lipik obtained the status of a municipality, and in 1997, it was granted the status of a city.
The rich tradition of resorts and spas perhaps only rivals that of Opatija on the Adriatic coast, but the specificity of these geothermal springs lies in their visitors. In the baths, one could find Baron Franjo Trenk, the Janković counts, along with their distinguished and unknown guests, church dignitaries, Austrian and Hungarian nobility, officers and industrialists, Bosnian beys and spahis, the Vojvodina magnate Dunđerski, Croatian writers Janko Jurković and Milan Šenoa, Slovak writers Jure Franko and Martin Kukčin, and Hungarian Prime Minister István Tisza. A place where famous singers such as Enrico Caruso, Titta Ruffo, and Fyodor Chaliapin performed certainly stands out among other Croatian spas, health resorts, and holiday destinations.
After the Homeland War and the reconstruction efforts of the last two decades, Lipik has been gradually rebuilding the trust of old and new guests year after year. Lipik is reclaiming its place on the Croatian spa map, becoming an important rehabilitation center. In 2011, it recorded 4,511 guests undergoing hospital treatment, accounting for 75,262 overnight stays. Despite significant investments in the renovation and modernization of the Lipik Special Hospital, it still lags behind the record of 1989 when it registered 113,428 overnight stays.
For Toplice Lipik prepared by mr.sc. Berislav Schejbal, prof.
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