SPA CITIES

Whether you are sick or well, a lover of quiet or social life, here you will find excellent recreation, tried and effective treatment methods, pleasant surroundings, rich cultural, social and sporting life, entertainment, a break from everyday stress, but mainly you will improve your state of health. You will be spoiled by qualified and agreeable personnel, and all this for prices that will pleasantly surprise you.

Just like many others before you, you will be charmed by the richness of picturesque corners, romantic hills, old monasteries and churches, elegant spa buildings with remarkable architectural elements, rich social life, promenade concerts and quiet parks. So immerse yourself in an atmosphere of maximum relaxation.

The Czech Republic is known for its many spa cities.  Each one of them has a different spring to form their spa. They can be very therapeutical and each is significant in its own way. 

Karlovy Vary

World famous for its regenerative waters, Karlovy Vary, formerly known as Carlsbad, is the oldest of the Bohemian spas, and probably the second most popular tourist city in the Czech Republic, after Prague. It is found in the valley where the Teplá River joins the stream of the Ohre, some 374 m above the sea level. It's also the most beautiful of the 'big 3' spas in the republic and, despite the crowds, the most accessible. There are 12 hot springs containing 40 chemical elements that are used to medically treat diseases of the digestive tract and metabolic disorders.

Known for thermal water springs since and for ever, the area had been inhabited by the Celts, Slavs and Germans. Belonging to the Loket castle, the royal deer reserve was here as early as the 14th century. Thermal springs were discovered by the Roman Emperor and Czech King Charles IV while deer hunting, the myth says. But the history books claim there had been the Wary settlement back in 1325 and Charles IV had built a hunting mansion there in 1358.

First buildings of the resort emerged in 1522, the same year the first scientific tract on Carlsbad's healing springs was compiled. Carlsbad was centered around the gushing hot spring, the market place and the mansion. But it wasn't until the 30-Year's War's end, that the place began its way up in terms of balneal tourism, urban development and crafts. The resort prospered during the peaceful period and more guests started coming.

The town boomed in the 19th century and many of the attractions date from that period. So even if you are not interested in thermal baths, the town is absolutely worth a visit. In the second half of the 19th century many metropolitan style buildings were erected.

There are observation towers, pavilions, and gazebos built in spa woods in the town surroundings. Architectural nature of this historical period is most strongly influenced by a pair of architects, Fellner and Helmer. Contemporary architecture is represented by the building of Thermal Sanatorium and The Hot Spring Colonnade.

Karlovy Vary's architectonic character has been influenced by the building boom of the late l9th and early 20th centuries, i.e. by historicism and Art-Nouveau. Some of today's important buildings date back to that time, like the Mill Colonnade, the Town Theatre, Grandhotel Pupp, the Market Colonnade and a number of sanatoriums and villas. Karlovy Vary lives an attractive life of cultural and sports events, hosts international film festivals, musical festivals, scientific congresses, international tennis and golf tournaments. The town is also the origin of Becherovka, a locally-made liqueur with reported health benefits.

Marianske Lazne

Marianske Lazne is one of the nicest Czech spa towns. Czech settlers in the village of Usovice used the Marianske Lazne springs for therapeutical purposes way back in the 14th century. The springs were first called the Usovice springs, later Tepla springs, after the monastery they belonged to. In 1808 the Monastery founded Marianske Lazne and in 1866 the location was elevated to a town.  Marianske Lazne has 40 springs, which differ by their chemical composition. All of the springs are cool and contain a lot of free carbon dioxide. 

A genuine treasure and dominant feature of the town´s chiefly neoclassical buildings is a magnificent colonnade from 1889 with the "Singing Fountain", where music programs coupled with light shows. Marianske Lazne has many walking tours, tennis courts golf and other summer and winter sports.

Frantiskovy Lazne

Frantiskovy Lazne lies in the most western part of the Czech Republic, near the venerable frontier town of Cheb. The oldest records about the local cold springs and healing peat originate from the 12th century. The famous German poet of 19th century J.W.Goethe was fascinated by the park design, architectural beauty and its healing facilities so much, that he called Frantiskovy Lazne 'paradise on the earth'.

The springs have made a name for themselves by their mineral water.  The founding of the spa was approved in 1793 and has a vast wealth of natural sources suitable for the treatment of heart and cardio-vascular diseases, gynecological disorders, and disorders of the systems. The spa has 24 springs of strong carbonic water saturated with minerals. 12 of the springs are used for bathing and drinking cures.

Jachymov

Jachymov lies in the wooded countryside at the foot of Krusne Hory Mountains.  It is wedged between forests and it is famous for its radioactive springs.  Jachymov was founded in 1516. The town was the second most populated town in Bohemia 20 years later. 

In the 1950's Jachymov became a concentration camp for political prisoners who were made to mine uranium ore. The first curative spring was opened in 1864 and the last uranium ore mine was closed in 1964.

The high radon content and the thermal water in Jachymov springs contribute greatly towards improving the healthy state of people suffering from disorders of the motor tract, of the nervous system and disorders of the metabolism. The spa has at its disposal the most modern treatments and diagnostic equipment and it is renowned for its outstanding treatment successes.

Teplice

Teplice is not only an important industrial center, but it is also the oldest Czech spa town.  The local springs were used for bathing and drinking cures. The development of the spa treatment dates back to the 16th century. The spa was considerably damaged in the 30-Year's War and during the 1793 fire. 

New buildings were built and in the first half of the 19th century, Teplice became the 'salon of Europe' and was visited by widely known people from Europe.  The spa treats disorders of the motor and circulatory systems, occupational diseases, and disorders of the nervous system.

Janske Lazne

Janske Lazne lies in the region of the protected nature reservation of the Krkonose (Giant Mountains) National Park. The climate here is warm, sunny and mildly toning. It is a spa house and recreational center, which was developed soon after the WW I. 

The spa became the first place in Europe to treat polio patients after the Institute for the Treatment of Post-Poliomyelitis Trauma was established in 1935.  There are 30 radioactive, thermal and mineral springs.  It is an important winter sport center with a tobogganing course, ski-jumping, skiing area, and ski lifts and cable cars.

Podebrady

About 60 km from the Czech capital, Prague, in the fertile plains of the river Elbe is situated the town Podebrady (founded 1224). The spa was established in 1905, when its mineral springs were discovered.  The spa park and the first house were established 2 years later.

WW I interrupted the development of the spa and it was not further developed until after 1919.  Polebrady spa treats mainly disorders of the heart valves.  Podebrady is located on the site of a Gothic fortress and is a historical monument.  Not only is Podebrady a host to theatre and literary festivals, it has a golf course, a clay pigeon shooting range, a water sports area, horse riding facilities, a horse racing track, and more.

Trebon

The spa founded in 1883 lies at the outskirts of the South Bohemian historical town Trebon, a UNESCO protected reservation of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Trebon was a town first described as a market locality. 

At the end of the 13th century Trebon had been transformed into a town with a church and fortress.  In the 14th century it was purchased by the Rozmberk family and underwent great economic changes.  The best known of the industries are the fisheries and the brewery built in 1379 which makes the famous Regent Beer.  The town has a lay out with gates and bastions from the years 1525-1527.  The church of St. Giles is an example of the Gothic architecture.  There also is a Gothic monastery of the Augustinian order.  For the second half of the 14th century, Trebon castle was reconstructed into a chateau that is famous for its historic archives. 

Trebon is one of the most beautiful towns of southern Bohemia and with its surroundings will appeal to anyone's eyes.  It is a paradise for anglers, water sport lovers, pedestrian tours and cycling. Immediately nearby are the biggest manmade ponds in the Czech Republic and the historical castles of Hluboka and Ceský Krumlov.

Jesenik

Jesenik spa lies in the beautiful mountain landscape of Moravian Jeseniky Mountains. A local farmer named Vinzenz Priessnitz founded it in 1820.  He discovered the effects of cold springs and built the first hydropathic institute in his native town.  Through time the spa grew larger and in the 19th century it reached world prominence.

Guests have many activities at the spa to keep them busy such as tennis courts, golf courses, mountain biking, the sports hall, the bowling alley, the swimming pool, the table tennis hall, and the indoor swimming pool.  During winter, you can enjoy the downhill ski runs and the cross-country trails.

Luhacovice

The Luhacovice spa is located in an attractive setting with a favorable climate in the Stiavnice River valley just down the White Carpathian Mountains.

Luhacovice dates back to the early 20 th century.  It includes 6 spas, 2 of which specialize in the treatment of children.  They use the 10 alkalimuriativ springs and the hydrogen sulfide spring for treatment of diseases.  Some of the best known springs are the Armandka and Vincentka.  Their water is bottled and exported.

Luhacovice is situated in one of the richest folklore regions of the Czech Republic and the visitor will find not only a good wine here but also a number of buildings inspired by domestic Moravian rural architecture.  

The Luhacovice castle was built in 1738 on the site of the earlier 17 th century structure.  Luhacovice is the home of the annual international cultural summer festival.

Dolni Lipova

The spa lies at the foot of the Hruby Jesenik Mountain Massif. The climate is steady, mildly humid, with clear mountain air. The spa was founded in 1829 by the natural healer Johann Schroth and licensed by a decree issued by the Imperial Court Office in Vienna in 1840.

Darkov-Karvina

The Darkov-Karvina spa is located in the eastern corner of Northern Moravia, just at the Polish border. The climate is mild as expected in lowlands. Modern spa buildings are situated in an extensive park creating a pleasant micro-climate for the spa. The first records of the salty iodine-bromide springs originate in the 14th century in the archives of the Benedictine Monastery in Orlova.

Teplice nad Becvou

This spa is located not far from Hranice na Morave town, in a splendid region at the foot of the Beskydy Mountains. The curative effects of the local mineral springs have been known for more than 400 years.

Accumulated healing experiences and the rich natural healing sources have classed this spa among the prominent locations for successful treatment of the diseases of heart and blood vessels. Climate here is mild, and fresh air is influenced by the lush vegetation and the expanses of deep forest.