The Czech Republic is considered a country of healing mineral springs. The three world-famous spa towns of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Láznē are also located here. The towns, also known as the West Bohemian Spa Triangle, are located close to each other between the Bohemian Ore Mountains, the Bohemian Forest and the Bohemian Elster Mountains. In the spas of this region with the most springs in Europe, emperors and kings, nobles, artists and famous personalities of contemporary history have already cured. To name just a few: the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, King Edward VII, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Mark Twain, Sigmund Freud, and Otto von Bismarck. Even today, the thermal springs are the destination of many healing seekers.
Karlovy Vary, the city of healing springs!
This largest and most famous spa in the West Bohemian Spa Triangle has 79 springs, the water of which is used for spa treatments. The healing water from Karlovy Vary can be particularly effective in the case of diseases of the digestive tract, obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, stress and physical and mental exhaustion. The water gushes from the thermal springs there with temperatures between 42 °C and 72 °C. The most famous thermal spring is the Karlovy Vary “Sprudel”, with water at a temperature of about 72 °C, which is used for both drinking cures and baths. But regardless of whether applied externally through baths or internally through drinking cures, the patient will quickly feel an improvement in his symptoms.
Mariánské Lázně, the flagship of all West Bohemian spas!
This more than 200-year-old spa town is located in the middle of a beautiful landscape in a beautiful valley surrounded by forests. Characteristic of Mariánské Lázně are the architecturally outstanding colonnades and pavilions. The spa benefits from a total of 140 healing springs, 40 of them in the city itself, which is why the place is also called the “Bath of 40 Springs”. Another 100 springs have their source in the vicinity of Mariánské Lázně. The water of the springs has a healing effect on diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, respiratory diseases and metabolic disorders. However, unlike the Karlovy Vary springs, the healing springs that originate in Mariánské Lázně are cold mineral springs, with temperatures ranging from 7 °C to 10 °C. This means that drinking cures are the order of the day here. The seven most famous mineral springs in Mariánské Lázně are:
- 1. Ambrosius spring
high iron content, good against anemia. - 2. Ferdinandquelle
High in sodium, hydrogen carbonate and chloride. - 3. Karolina Spring
iron-rich sour spring with high magnesium content, good for treating kidney stones. - 4. Cross Source
high sulphate content, good for diseases of the digestive tract, metabolic diseases or digestive disorders. - 5. Marienquelle
Well with a high carbon dioxide content (99.7% CO2 content), good mineral water. - 6. Forest spring
iron-rich sour spring, good for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and urological diseases. - 7. Rudolf’s Spring
high calcium content, good for diseases or inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Františkovy Lázně, the smallest and most charming of the West Bohemian spas!
This pearl among the spas is an insider tip for women. Since its discovery in 1502, the mineral-rich healing water from 22 active springs has been used primarily successfully against various women’s ailments. However, a cure in Františkovy Lázně is also recommended for heart and circulatory diseases, as well as complaints of the musculoskeletal system. The moor treatments in particular enjoy an excellent reputation. The moor is considered to be particularly rich in iron and sulphur.
Sights and attractions in Karlovy Vary!
The spa town offers numerous sights. In addition to historic buildings, observation towers, museums and galleries, sacred buildings, monuments, statues, parks and green spaces, it is above all the colonnades (colonnades) and pavilions that are worth seeing that make the city so appealing. Visitors should definitely visit the following colonnades:
- the stone mill fountain colonnade
- the wooden market colonnade
- the Alois Klein Pavilion in Swiss style
- the octagonal pavilion of the Freedom Spring
- the cast-iron park colonnade
- the Bubble Colonnade made of reinforced concrete
- the castle colonnade in Art Nouveau style
Other sights are the Diana observation tower, the city theatre and the imperial bath.
Sights and attractions in Františkovy Lázně!
The Františkovy Lázně spa zone scores with numerous colonnades and spa pavilions. Almost all buildings in Františkovy Lázně used the Empire style, a little-known architectural style promoted by Napoleon at the time. The architectural monuments are of inestimable value. Buildings worth seeing are the Franzensquelle (oldest spring from 1793), the Glauber’s salt spring, the new colonnades and the weather column. And let’s not forget František (German: Franzl), the symbolic figure of Františkovy Lázně. But be careful, legend has it that women who touch the best piece of Franzl get pregnant. Another attraction is located just 2 km from Františkovy Lázně, the Butterfly Museum. A tropical greenhouse where different species of butterflies can be observed in natural conditions.
Sights and attractions in Mariánské Lázně!
The famous spa town of Mariánské Lázně impresses with its mixture of beautiful nature, enchanting parks such as Swan Lake and, last but not least, its natural remedies (mud and mineral springs). All the best conditions for a health holiday to regenerate and heal body and mind. But Mariánské Lázně has even more to offer. Special attractions are the singing fountain with color-illuminated fountain and changing pieces of music, as well as the cast-iron main colonnade with its unique construction. Those interested in history are also recommended to visit the historic architecture in the city centre, which is well worth seeing.
In 1992, Mariánské Lázně was granted the status of a city monument zone. In order to accommodate the many visitors of different religions, there are also numerous churches in Mariánské Lázně, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Evangelical Church of Corporis Christi, the Anglican Church of Christ Church and the Russian Church of St. Vladimir. There is also no shortage of cosy spa hotels. Finally, a special Mariánské Lázně speciality should be mentioned: Mariánské Lázně wafers. This traditional sweet tastes best freshly baked and warm
