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History and the Present

Karlovy Vary

In the heart of Europe, namely in Western Bohemia between the Krušné Mountains and Slavkovsky Forest, Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV coursed in the 14th century and his entourage discovered a thermal spring by accident. It did not take long, and the Emperor, inspired by his own experience, proclaimed the spring to have curative powers. As legend tells us, he had a town erected around the marvelous spring that has ever since thrived thanks to its numerous founts and received a great reputation far behind the border of our country.

Legend concerning its founding

One of the first to record the oldest Karlovy Vary legend about the discovery of the geyser known as the Sprudel by Charles IV was the renaissance physician Dr Fabian Sommer, a native of Karlovy Vary. In his book on the use of Karlovy Vary's waters from 1571, he relates the story thus:

It is said that Charles IV once went hunting in the woods, in the hilly areas and valleys where now the hot springs do bubble up. The woods in this place were full of game. During the hunt, one of the hounds started to run after an animal. Whilst following it, the hound fell into a pool where hot water does now burst from the ground. The hound began to howl in pain. The hunters ran to the hound, believing it to have been wounded by the animal it had been chasing. The marvel which they saw amazed them greatly. They stepped closer, pulled the hound from the pool, and then tasted of the hot water which had so distressed the hound.

The entire event was reported to the Emperor Charles IV, who then went in large company himself to marvel at this singular wonder of nature. In the presence of his physicians, the wise ruler said that such hot water may drive off many grave ailments, and that it was beneficial and invigorating. Then he himself used the water (it is said that he had an afflicted leg), and sensed assuagement and improvement. The ruler was overjoyed at this, and soon gave orders that the whole place be settled, and that around the springs, houses be built. The place where the Emperor used that water was, according to information, in that place where once stood the municipal bath and where the guildhall now stands. At that place the spring wells up whose waters do not burst forth excessively, and are but warm. It is related that in this place, many years ago, a seat was cut into the rock on which the ruler sat, and wherefore it was named the Seat of the Emperor Charles. And yet this place is no longer to be found, and on it the guildhall has been built.

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History

„Vivat Caroli“

The city was started in the second half of the 14th century under the baton of King Charles IV. However, its major construction and balneological boom came 200 years later. In the 17th century, Karlovy Vary faced the hardships of the Thirty Years War as well as natural disasters. The city quickly managed to remove the consequences of catastrophes and was thus able to continue with its pursuit of balneological, architectural and cultural plans. In the course of time, the spa facilities gained more and more popularity. The prosperity of the town was aided, amongst others, by the fact it became a favorite spa destination for rich aristocrats. Without doubt, the most prominent patient who stayed in Karlovy Vary in the 18th century was Russian Tsar Peter the Great.

The appearance of the historical city center was greatly shaped by the 19th century’s Art Nouveau.

The expansion of balneology indirectly gave rise to new social and special-purpose buildings. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first public spa house was built along with the baroque church of St. Mare Magdalene. Further, primarily Art Nouveau development took place in the second half of the 19th century when the Mill Colonnade, the Thermal Spring Colonnade, Emperor’s Baths or today’s theater were erected. Some construction works were financed from the proceeds of thermal spring salts sales or from spa taxes, others were funded by generous benefactors from abroad.

The spa’s renown grew also thanks to the visits of famous personas

Karlovy Vary continually became a frequent place of significant gatherings. The spa hosted the great names of science, politics and art of the 19th century, including Beethoven, Franz Josef I., Dobrovský, Paganini, Chopin, Mozart, Gogol, Tyl, Barrande, Purkyně, Freud and many others. Nearly every celebrity’s name lives on here since it was used to name a monument or to a forest walk path.

The spa city had to build its name from scratch several times

In the early 20th century, Karlovy Vary was the most famous spa metropolis in Europe. Both world wars, however, drastically reduced the number of guests to a fraction of pre-war numbers. After World War II, Karlovy Vary did not rejoice over restored peace too long because the year 1948 brought the nationalization of all springs and sanatoriums. The spa clientele recruited almost exclusively from the citizens of the then Soviet Union. It was only after the Velvet Revolution of 1989 that Western tourists began coming back to Karlovy Vary again. The number of spa tourists has been increasing ever since.

Would You Like to Know More about the History of Karlovy Vary?

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The Present

Spa, culture and sport

Today, Karlovy Vary is sought after tourist destination. The spa hotels and sanatoriums enjoy the all-year favor of Czech and foreign guest.

The tourists who arrive for other than therapeutic purposes can use the broad variety of sports and cultural activities that Karlovy Vary prepares for them. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held at the beginning of July attracts visitors like a magnet.

Karlovy Vary literally abounds with events, especially during the peak spa season. The city hosts a number of concerts of modern, classical and folk music, theater performances, etc. Its sports life is filled with horse races, golf tournaments, wild water world championship, triathlon and many other events. Some of these sports festivals boast with a long list of accompanying programs that are popular with Karlovy Vary’s public as well as tourists.

Made in Karlovy Vary

It is not only balneology and popular events that make the city well known. The locally made brands such as Moser and Becherovka are famous worldwide. Prestigious are also spa wafers or Karlovy Vary’s porcelain brand Thun.

Are you looking for a nice holiday place? Have a look in Karlovy Vary!

Karlovy Vary offers everything you can think of. Accommodation and catering of all categories, unique spa procedures and wellness programs, beautiful historical ambience, innumerable ways to enjoy sports and culture, all that dominated by an amazing atmosphere. Karlovy Vary is also a significant commercial center with a great potential for congress tourism. The largest spa city in the Czech Republic is here to welcome you all year round.

The Future

Karlovy Vary is a prosperous city. Its historically valuable buildings are being gradually reconstructed, new hotels are being built, new sports grounds are being established, socials functions acquire more and more importance, and spa treatment gains ever-growing popularity with Czech and foreign clients.

The cultural and sports development of the city will definitely be further supported by a new multi-purpose sports hall with a seating capacity of 7000 chairs. It is expected to be completed in.... Its premises will be used to hold exhibitions, sports and cultural events and large congresses. Its capacity and amenities will suit, amongst others, the IFF and other outstanding happenings.