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Region of Healing Czech Springs.
This is the name of an area
consisting of four west Bohemian counties Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Cheb and
Tachov. Each of these counties is located along the border with Germany.
The region is dominated by world famous spas, namely Karlovy Vary
(Carlsbad), Marianske Lazne (Marienbad), Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzesbad),
Konstantinovy Lazne and Lazne Kynzvart. The spa tradition of this region
goes back to the 14th century, when the Bohemian king and Roman emperor
Charles IV founded Karlovy Vary. Among the most famous spa guests, beside
kings and noblemen, were Goethe, Schiller, Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart,
Wagner, Gogol, Turgenev, Dvorak, Kafka and many others.
The region consists mostly of
mountains,
Krusne Hory in the northwest, Cesky les in the Soutwest, Slavkovsky
les and Tepelska Vrchovina in the south and Doupovske hory in the east.
Most of the area is forested. Most of the big cities are located in the
valley of the river Ohre (Karlovy Vary, Cheb, Sokolov and Ostrov). Other
cities in the area are Tachov, Marianske Lazne and Chodov.
The forests ridge of the Krusne
hory mountains offer ideal conditions for skiing and hiking. Bozi Dar is
the most famous winter sports center, located close to the highest peaks
in the area: Klinovec (1,244 m) and Spicak (1,115 m). The Krusne hory ski
trail connects other important mountain centers, such as Kraslice, Pernink
and Horni Blatna. A large recreational area in the vicinity of the
reservoirs Tatrovice (not far from Sokolov) and Jesenice u Chebu are
inviting for summer recreation and water sports.
The region is also heaven for
golf lovers. The most beautiful golf courses are in Karlovy Vary, Tepla
and Marianske Lazne (the oldest course, build for the English King Edward
VII).
Among the natural points of
interest, there are the large peat swamps in the Slavkovsky les
reservation, which is the principal source of healing Healing Czech
Springs. Not far from Frantiskovy Lazne, you may find the famous
reservation, the peat swamp "Soos". Here there are large areas of peat and
diatomaceous earth, as well as many mineral Healing Czech Springs. Not far
from here, there is another unique natural landmark atracting nature
lovers: Komorni hurka, the youngest volcano in Bohemia. The name of the
German poet, J. W. Goethe is connected to the research at this location.
Karlovy Vary, the largest and
most important spa in the Czech Republic, is famous for numerous important
cultural event, such as the international film festival, the music
festival Dvorak's Autumn, the international travel industry festival
Tourfilm ant many others. The irreplaceable atmosphere of the spa town is
supported by many colonnades, beautiful gardens and parks.
Not far from Healing Czech
Springs Karlovy Vary we may
visit Becov nad Teplou, with a castle and a fairy tale chateau with
Baroque gardens and terraces. In 1985, in the castle chapel, the St. Maur
reliquary was found. After the crown jewels, it is considered the
country's second most important historical artifact. The Premonstrian
monastery in Tepla, founded in 1197 by the canonized Hroznata, was for
many centuries the regions spiritual center.
The
medieval houses "Spalicek" - Cheb
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Karlovy
Vary
For healing its patients, the
world famous spa Jachymov uses radioactive Healing Czech Springs. The city
museum presents Jachymov as a town of silver mines and a mint (of the
famous tolar), as a Renaissance cultural center, and the home of J.
Agricola and J. Mathesius.
In the Sokolov Chateau, there is
a museum presenting the mining and processing of ore, geology, mineralogy
and mining technology. In the area of the tin mine Vilem in Krasno;
visitors may appreciate a mining steam engine from 1897.
The most important historic
landmark of the Sokolov county is the castle Loket and the city of the
same name. The city has preserved its character of a medieval fortified
town. Among the most precious Baroque objects of the region is the Chateau
Valec and the church and pilgrimage site in Chlum Svate Mari, the work of
the famous architect G. Santini.
The county/city Cheb will
surprise you with countless historic buildings and the Cheb castle, a
unique example of a special architectural style in Bohemia. In 1634, the
castle dubiously entered the historical record as the site of the murder
of Albrecht of Wallenstein. A picturesque block of medieval houses on the
main square called Spalicek (The Little Log) is perhaps the most famous
symbol of the town. Cheb's museum presents a collection of Wallenstein
memorabilia. One of the most interesting items is Wallenstein's horse,
killed in the battle if Lutzen, reportedly the oldest taxidermy in the
Czech lands.
Numerous healing mineral Healing
Czech Springs in the vicinity if Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne and
Lazne Kynzvart have been keys in the development of the spa industry since
the beginning of the 19th century. These were very important,
both in the economic and cultural character of the Cheb region. In
particular, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne became the social and
cultural centers of the region shortly after their foundation.
Marianske Lazne is famous for
its large parks and beautiful architecture. Not far from the spa colonnade
(the largest In the Czech Republic), a "singing fountain" draws the
attention of visitors. Many cultural events take place here, such as the
Chopin Piano Festival, to name one.
The classicist chateau of
Chancellor Metternich in Kynzvart, surrounded by a large English park, is
one of the most frequently visited landmarks of the region.
Visitors to the Karlovy Vary
region may refresh themselves with one of dozens of tasty mineral Healing
Czech Springs and leave with such souvenirs as the traditional porcelain,
Moser glass, spa wafers or the famous liqueur Becherovka.
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