Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic - hotels, tours, history, sights, transportation, spas

Karlovy Vary

District: Karlovarsky kraj
Population: 55 000, 950 inhabitans/km2
Location: West Bohemia, 120 km far from Prague   Maps

Location

Karlovy Vary is a world-wide famous spa town located in the west part of the Czech Republic at the junction of the rivers Tepla and Ohre about 120 km far from Prague, 40 km far from Cheb and about 50 km far from other two famous spa towns Frantiskovy Lazne and Marianske lazne. The historical and most interesting part of Karlovy Vary is located in the valley of the river Tepla. People suffering mainly from indigestion problems and intermediary metabolism problems come to cure their diseases there. Drinking warm mineral water is a traditional theraphy and 12 mineral springs are used for the treatment. The warmest spring is "Vridlo" with temperature of 73 °C.

Transportation, Enquiry office

Transportation: Karlovy Vary - Praha: by car around 2 hours, by bus around 2,5 hours (departures every hour)
Enquiry office: Lazenska 1, 360 01 Karlovy Vary, tel. +420 353 236 377, fax: +420 353 232 858

History in brief

Karlovy Vary was established in the 1st half of the 14th century by Emperor Charles IV. It became a famous spa town already in the 15th century and at the end of the 16th century there were about 200 spa houses. Curing mineral water was brought into the cellars in the wooden canals. Karlovy Vary became world-wide famous in the 18th century. The first promenade dates back to the same period of time. Dr. Becher who analysed the mineral springs and established the conditions of correct theraphy became a part of history as well. The glass factory was found by glass engraver L. Moser in the second half of the 19th century which became a bearer of the tradition of the famous Carlsbad glass and china.

Sights

Five colonnades built from the half of the 19th century might be most attractive view. The Mill Colonnade - one of the most beautiful buildings in Karlovy Vary was build on the place of old spa buildings and higher number of mineral springs. The Castle Colonnade is located in the oldest part of the town. The other three colonnades are called The Hot Spring Colonnade, The Market Colonnade, The Park Colonnade. Many concerts and cultural events take place there. Other beautiful sights are The Municipal Theatre, St. Mary Magdalene's Church, St. Lukas's Church or Orthodox Church construction of which was sponsored by Russian spa guests. You can also find many unique buildings as The Postal Court , Dorothea's Gazebo (visited even by Casanova), Trinity Column, Grandhotel Pupp, Becher's villa, The Three Moors House or The Town Market.

The present time

Mrs Masumi Schmidt-Muraki a Japanese living in Munich decided to build the unique European curiosity - a Japanese stone garden. Zen garden - a place for meditation expresses the element of water without using water. The circle shape with the inner arch symbolises the Jin and Jang principle.

Karlovy Vary is not a unique spa town only because of the 12 mineral springs with the temperatures of 42 - 72 °C and famous liqueur Becherovka, architecture, culture events (film and musical festivals) but also the unique atmosphere made up by the visitors from all around the world.

The specialities of Karlovy Vary

The glass brand Moser known as "Royal glass", liqueur Becherovka, spa biscuits or Carlsbad china are world-wide famous brands.