Secret of the healing springs!
Karlovy Vary - the incarnation of spa elegance, imposing colonnades, exclusive spa buildings and a wonderful layout in the heart of a forested valley. The best known town in the world renowned West Bohemian Spa Triangle, in which some of the most famous figures in European artistic and cultural life have enjoyed treatment, is today the second most visited spot in the Czech Republic. Thanks to its unique architecture, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful spas.
History
Karlovy Vary lies in the West Bohemia at the confluence of the Teplá River and the Ohře River, about 120 km west of Prague. It is the largest and best known spa city in the Czech Republic. Charles IV founded the city in the 14th century. According to the legend, the Emperor had the city built soon after the accidental discovery of thermal springs by his hunting retinue. The spa facilities enjoyed the favour of many aristocratic houses and rich burghers as early as the 16th century. Owing to a series of natural disasters, only a few buildings have been preserved from that period. Most architectonic monuments originated in the 18th and the 19th century when the city experiences a „period of abundance “.
Balneology
The developed balneotherapy focuses on the recuperation of patients suffering from digestive disorders, metabolic disorders, diaetes, gout, obesity, locomotive system disorders and other. The balneotherapy based on mineral springs comprises a number of traditional curative procedures, baths and drinking cure and modern methods cryo therapy, floating, laser therapy and other (34 spa treatment in total). Seven spa colonnades built mostly in 19th century offering the highest concentration of hot thermal springs (15 springs).
Products
The best known include the products of the world famous Moser glassworks, Thun Karlovy Vary porcelain or the excellent Becherovka herbal liqueur, which is often dubbed the town’s 16th spring. In 2011, Becherovka was voted the 7th best local drink in the Lonely Planet´s worldwide selection of alcoholic drinks, that make the effort of travel all the more rewarding (the 4th in the global competition was placed the Czech Absinth). And we still think we are a beer country!
Karlovy Vary official website: www.karlovyvary.cz/en
foto: CzechTourism - Lubomir Stiburek
Foto: CzechTourism - 1) Jiří Pužej 2) Česká produkční, s.r.o. 3) Czechtourism 4) Lubomír Stiburek