Czech Spa Triangle the most distinctive health spa district in the Czech Republic

By: Milda Richterova

Once in a while, each person wishes to lie back and relax. Merely to snooze and take a relaxation in sweet calm. Have a massage, take pleasure in one's day. The West Bohemian Spa Triangle is a great location for the rebirth of your soul and body.

The long-subsided volcanic activity on the edge of the Slavkov Forest was accompanied by the origin of mineral springs that have completed the district of West Bohemia well-known around the world. Although Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) , founded by the celebrated Czech ruler Charles 4, is the most distinguished spa city in the region, there are some further no less outstanding spa towns in the district that are exceptionally popular with both patients and tourists. Although the helpful outcomes of the regional springs had supposedly turn out to be famous in as early as the tenth century, spas did not in fact blossom until a lot later on, in the 19th century. At the same time, Frantiskovy Lazne was founded at the very end of the eighteenth century, followed by the setting up of Marianske Lazne, accordingly completing the "Spa Triangle". Local and overseas guests alike have been approaching to benefit from the local mineral springs for hundreds of years; the visitors' book of the spa resorts contain the names of crowned heads such as the English ruler Edward VII, Napoleon III, famous composers such as Fryderyk Chopin and Richard Wagner, writers such as Johann W. Goethe, Mark Twain and Franz Kafka, or for example the honored Moravian-born creator of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. But there is much more. You could also get pleasure from the rich cultural service, go for biking, hiking and sightseeing trips, play tennis & golf, ride a horse, discover water sports in summer time & cross-country skiing during winter.

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad / Karlsbad)

Carlsbad is the best identified spa city situated in West Bohemia. It was founded approximately 1350 by the Holy Roman Emperor & King of Bohemia, Charles IV. Its distinguished roads and colonnades are surrounded by serene wooded hills crisscrossed by mountain climbing & cycling paths that are ideal for enjoyable walks all time of the year round.
A tiring cultural events calendar, various festivals & international conferences make Karlsbad the largest & liveliest spa town in the Czech Republic visited not only by the spa-goers but also celebrities. Karlsbad achieved its fame also thanks to its known herbal liqueur called Becherovka (nicknamed "The 13th Spring"), Mattoni mineral water, distinctive spa wafers, and Moser crystal glass.
The curative waters from the springs in the valley of the Tepla River have been used by people from time immemorial - both for drinking as well as bathing.

Marianske Lazne (Marienbad)

The town of Marianske Lazne lies in a good-looking wide valley in West Bohemia, 628 meters above sea level. An about 20 km wide strip of forest with numerous mountaineering trails passes right through the spa town.
Marianske Lazne enjoys an outstanding reputation all over the world both for its therapeutic treatment methods and efficient natural healing resources, as well as for its scenic, enchanting view. Almost one hundred old springs have been discovered in and all-around the city, all with great concentration of CO2. Some had been discovered as early as in the sixteenth century.
A real jewel among the local neoclassical buildings is the spa colonnade constructed in 1889. The spa area is dominated by the so-called 'Singing Fountain' entertaining the passers-by with melody and light performances.
Marianske Lazne launched its first spa season in 1808, but rapidly became a popular resort among Europe's elite. Among its customers had been English Ruler Edward VII., Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin and German bard Goethe.
The local spas focus in treating musculoskeletal disorders, and diseases of the urinary tract, kidney and gynecological problems. The programs are based mostly on natural resources - cold ferrite acidulous water, natural gas, CO2 and mud.

Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzienbad)

Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzienbad), established in 1793, is a world recognized spa town situated in the western part of the Czech Republic. Thankfulness to its neoclassical spa buildings & pavilions the town preserved the irreplaceable atmosphere of the early 20th century & is regarded as one of the most picturesque spa cities in the country.
The region offers mild climate, clean air and peaceful city life. Many parks all-around the city with its promenades & musicians are a great location for restful walks. All these factors add to the therapeutic effects of the local mineral springs so as to every year draw numerous spa-guests.

About the Author:

Author is a Czech Health SPA expert. Author is the head therapist of Spa-resorts.cz, leader in organizing spa resort retreats in Czech spa towns such as Carlsbad, Marienbad, Franzienbad and etc.