In the Czech Republic, there are different thermal water spas that have been known since ancient times and are highly visited by people from all over Europe. Many are in the Western Bohemian region, but without a doubt, the best-known spa in the country is Karlovy Vary.
Discovery of Karlovy Vary
This spa town is also known internationally by its German name: Karlsbad. It has to do with several reasons: its proximity to Germanic lands, the convulsive past of this area since it was Emperor Charles IV who discovered Karlovy Vary. Or rather, one of his hunting dogs did it in the year 1358.
Karlovy Vary – Boris Stroujko
From that early date, they began to visit the hot springs of the city. But it was from the middle of the 18th century that the foundations were laid for Karlovy Vary to become one of the most prestigious spas in the world. In fact, since the 19th century and much of the 20th, the great kings, emperors, businessmen, and artists from all over Europe passed here
Karlovy Vary springs
In total, 80 hot springs have been counted. Everything comes from the underground seepage of the Tepla River, which runs through the city. A river whose name does not mean anything other than “hot”.
From these 80 springs, 6 million liters of water flow every day with temperatures ranging between 30 and 73 degrees. In addition, these waters have a very important mineral contribution in which their healing properties reside. They are especially recommended for digestive or joint problems, among many other applications.
The allure of Karlovy Vary
You don’t have to have health problems to enjoy Karlovy Vary. A thermal bath never hurts, and the different historic hotels will be willing to offer you their many therapeutic and leisure services.
You can even drink those waters without having health problems. This is verified when taking a walk through the Kolonada, one of the most monumental areas of the city. There are several hot springs and people walk around with peculiar jugs loaded with these waters that are sipped.
In addition, Kolonada is a magnificent example of the historical complex that the city is , since one of the reasons to travel to Karlovy Vary is to discover its incredible historical and artistic heritage.
Karlovy Vary heritage
To understand the heritage of this Bohemian city, we must bear in mind that this place has been visited by people of all origins and origins, and generally by wealthy people.
For that reason, it is verified that we are in a place where historical temples of diverse beliefs are erected. For example, there is an Orthodox church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, where Russian visitors used (and do) pray since the end of the 19th century.
And this church competes in beauty with another of the great temples of the city: the one dedicated to Santa Maria Magdalena, with very baroque forms, typical of the 18th century, the time in which it was built.
But all the historical heritage are not churches. Many of the hotels are important works of architecture , especially the Grand Hotel Pupp, built-in 1701 and which is the true symbol of Karlovy Vary
Bohemian souvenir
The entire monumental center of Karlovy Vary is full of shops and restaurants . In the former it is possible to buy the most emblematic product of the Bohemian region, its famous handcrafted crystals.
In restaurants you have to try two typical products: Becherovka beer and liquor. Of course, we recommend drinking it in moderation and while eating a dish from the overwhelming local gastronomy so that the alcohol does not leave you KO.
