Karlovy
Vary is the most famous spa of the Czech Republic. It ranks among the youngest
royal towns of West Bohemia. It was founded by Charles IV in 1370 according to
the records in chronicles.
Karlovy Vary lies in a valley surrounded by
extensive forests with more than 120 kilometers of paths, with many beautiful
views and travellers' restaurants. The city also boasts tennis courts, golf courses,
the second oldest horse racing track in the Republic (the first horse races were
already being run here in 1899), and an international airport, which also
offers observation flights (every Saturday a regular airplane link between Zurich
and Karlovy Vary operates).
The region is also known as Goethe's love
- having stayed here several times, he spent a total of over three years in West
Bohemia, which is longer than his stay in Italy. What does the spell of West Bohemia
exactly consist of, why has the region been attracting people both famous and
ordinary, from far and near, for several centuries?
Most
remarkable about it is the unusual concentration of tourist, cultural and natural
attractions in a relatively small territory. As one of the visitors put it: it
is a land with a thousand different faces - everyone can find there exactly
the things he or she loves. An old historical land, romantic and noble, with undulated
plains, ancient forests, picturesque valleys, hot and cold mineral springs,
idyllic corners, palace gardens and medieval castles. It is also a land where
both body and soul are healed. The spas in West Bohemia, the Land of Health,
have for centuries been the place where generations of sufferers have sought cures.
West Bohemia is a huge, natural clinic. Among the immense wealth of mineral
springs gushing out from the ground, there is likely to be one for almost
every possible disease. Patients have been seeking cures in West Bohemia's spas
since the Middle Ages, and the local mineral water used to be sent in earthen
bottles with tin caps even to remote places from the late 19th century.
Well-kept
forest paths for walking and jogging are a very pleasant surprise for visitors
of Karlovy Vary. Around the town is a complex of paths connecting interesting
places. There is a wonderful view of Karlovy Vary and its surroundings from Petr
the Great Hill, Mount Friendship and from Charles IV. Observation
Point. 8 km southwest of Karlovy Vary are the Svatosske Cliffs, a group
of bizzare formations which represents a petrified wedding procession. This theme
was developed by the brothers Grimm, Goethe, K.T. Korner and by composer H. A.
Marschner in his opera Hans Heiling. 11 km northwest of Karlovy Vary there is
Loket with a large 13th century Gothic castle which houses a porcelain
museum. One of the most famous products of Karlovy Vary is the world known
herb liqueur Becherovka.
The spa is suitable for the treatment
of diabetes and diseases of the digestive tract. The drinking of water in particular,
from 12 warm springs (of 42 - 72 centigrade degrees) belongs to traditional
curative methods. The spring known as "Vridlo" is the most abundant
one and squirts 10 - 15 meters high from a depth of 2000- 3000 meters below
the ground.
Besides
treatments visitors can also play golf, tennis and do other sports or visit
cultural events, entertainment programs and concerts. Also the Russian and
Anglican Churches are worth seeing. The theatre building dates from 1896. The
Grand hotel Pupp became the center of social and cultural life. Karlovy Vary is
also a town of festivals, congresses and colloquiums as well as a place, which
hosts meetings of significant personalities from the world of politics, science
and culture.
Many programs run after the spa season officially begins,
with a ball in the Grand Hotel Pupp - in May, it's the International Jazz Festival
Karlovy Vary; in June, the Opera and Musical Festival; in July, Mozart
and Karlovy Vary; in August, the Days of Beethoven; and in September,
Dvorak's Autumn of Karlovy Vary. |