Karlovy Vary is a Bohemian town nestled in the west of Czechia. This is often referred to as Carlsbad in English after Karlsbad, its German name. This is a world-renowned spa resort that attracts celebrities from different parts of the globe. It is also popular for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival hosted in the area annually. Karlovy Vary is one of Czechia’s most famous tourist destinations.
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History of Karlovy Vary in a Nutshell
Karlovy Vary’s history dates as far back as the 14th century when a spa was founded by Charles IV there called Horké Lázně u Lokte or hot spas at Loket in English. Charles IV was also the king who was the namesake of Prague’s Charles Bridge.
The settlement was later renamed to Karlovy Vary and it was in 1370 when it was given town privileges. Karl is Charles’ version in Czech while vary is the plural form of var, which means boiling. Therefore, the town’s name means Charles’ Hot Springs.
The development of Karlovy Vary into one of the most famous spa towns in Europe has something to do with the publications of Josef von Löschner and David Becher during the late 18th century and the 19th century.
Karlovy Vary is one of the most famous spa towns in Europe
The visitors’ number continued to grow and before the start of the First World War, approximately 70,000 people visited this spa town every year. Among these visitors were a lot of very affluent people, politicians, aristocrats, and artists.
After the end of World War I in 1918, Karlovy Vary was integrated into the independent Czechoslovak state. Karlovy Vary Airport officially opened in 1929. A big part of the population of the town during the interwar period spoke the German language. The town was then incorporated in 1938 into Nazi Germany as a part of Sudetenland based on the Munich Agreement’s terms.
Most of the population of Germans was expelled after World War II. The first-ever edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was organized in 1946 in the town. The communist state controlled and nationalized all the resorts and spa establishments between 1948 and 1989.
Ever since communism collapsed in 1989, Karlovy Vary underwent gradual restoration to its early days of glory. The town center is thriving with life and activities and visitors can look forward to enjoying a lot of relaxing and pampering spa treatments.
Top Attractions
Many visitors flock to Karlovy Vary either to attend the renowned film festival or to bask in its selection of wellness treatments. However, you won’t be disappointed or let down if you happen to be someone who just wants to go on regular sightseeing because the town is filled with a lot of notable sights and landmarks.
Colonnades
Colonnades are a distinct element in the town’s cityscape. These colonnades allow visitors to enjoy the spring season even during rainy days. The town has five colonnades.
Found near Zámecký Vrch Street, the Castle Colonnade was designed in Art Nouveau style by Friedrich Ohmann, an Austrian architect who opened in 1912. Today, however, the general public can only access a part of it because the Castle Spa was built there during the early 21st century, and guests are the only ones allowed to stay there. The public can still access the arbor with its Upper Castle Spring.
The Hot Spring Colonnade is found adjacent to Divadelni Square in the spa center. It serves as the home to the most astounding of the geysers in the town, the Hot Springs. The temperature of the water is 72°C with the jet reaching a height of around 12m. It gushes approximately 2,000 liters of mineral water per minute.
Market and Castle Colonnades, Karlovy Vary
This water is partly diverted into a few smaller fountains that have lower temperatures ideal for drinking. Jaroslav Otruba is behind the design of the colonnade that was finished in 1975. The present construction replaced the former cast-iron structure first designed by the Austrian architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner.
The Market Colonnade is a wooden white structure at the heart of the town on Teplá River’s left bank. It was also made the Helmer and Fellner in the style of a Swish chalet that welcomed the public in 1883.
The town’s largest colonnade, the Mill Colonnade, is found in Mlýnské Nábřeží Street’s spa center. It is the work of Josef Zitek, the renowned Czech architect who designed it in Neoclassical style and was opened in 1881. It serves as the home to the seeps of five mineral springs.
The last colonnade, the Park Colonnade, is found in Dvořák’s Park beside Zahradni Street. Helmer and Fellner were also behind the design of this colonnade that opened in 1881. This houses the Snake Spring’s seep.
Gazebos and Arbors
Gazebos and arbors are also common features seen in Karlovy Vary’s cityscape. Some of these can be found on the adjacent hills, serving as lookouts where you can see scenic views not just of the town but also of the region as a whole. These include the Arbour at the Three Crosses, the Camera Obscura Arbour, and the Mayer’s Gloriette.
The Freedom Spring Arbour, however, is probably the most gorgeous of all of the town’s arbours found close to Spa III beside Mlýnské Nábřeží Street. This arbour, unlike most of the arbours in the area, doesn’t serve as a lookout. Instead, it serves as the home to Freedom Spring’s seep.
Lookout Towers
If you wish to enjoy the panoramic views, you can enjoy these from different lookout towers dotting the area.
The Castle Tower is located in the town center only a short distance away from the Market Colonnade. This tower is the final remains of the castle built by Charles IV there during the 14th century. The tower managed to survive even after a fire damaged the castle during the 17th century. Climbing the tower will give visitors a chance to enjoy the downtown’s spectacular view.
The Diana observation tower in Karlovy Vary is located 562 m above sea level
Diana Observation Tower near the town center is elevated at 562m above sea level. You can access it from the Grandhotel Pupp via a funicular. Several hiking trails also lead there if you’re willing to put your muscles to use.
Goethe’s Lookout is a gorgeous Neo-Gothic tower perched atop a hill known as Height of Eternal Life. Helmer and Fellnerr designed this tower as some of the colonnades of the town.
