KARLOVY VARY

ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 368 m

NUMBER OF INHABITANTS: 55.000

TOWN: The best known and the largest spa in the Czech republic were originated in around 1350. The Roman Emperor and the Czech King Charles IV raised its status in 1370. The end of the 19th century determined the final architectural outlook of Carlsbad. The renowned sights are represented by: The Church of St. Andrew, the orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Municipal Theatre, the Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda) and the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene. The spa town is surrounded by romantic hilly countryside – the foothills of Krušné hory.

NATURAL HEALlNG SOURCE: acidulous sodium-bicarbonate-sulphate water, natural peat, natural CO2

INDICATION: disorders of the digestive systém, metabolic disorders, diabetes, gout, obesity, periodontal diesease, disorders of the locomotor systém, diaseases of the liver, gall bladder, biloius ducts, pancreas, cancer.

TREATMENT: The fame of Karlovy Vary has spread into the whole world thanks to its mineral springs. There are 12 healing springs rising in the spa. Their basic compositions are similar but they differ in temperature and the amount of carbon dioxide, and that is why their effects are different as well. The colder springs usually have a slightly purgative effect while the warmer ones make the production of bile and stomach juices slower. The strongest is the spring Vøídlo, rising from the depth of 2000-3000 metres. The temperature reaches 73° C. The temperature of the other springs is around 40° C. The springs cure mainly metabolic disorders; they are also used for inhalations and baths.

ACTIVE RELAXATION: The oldest 18-hole golf course in the country, golf hall with golf simulator, tennis courts, outdoor and roofed swimming pools, billiard, horse-riding, shooting-range, skateboard, karate, squash, sightseeing flights over the city. The golf course is located about 5 km away from the downtown in a very hilly countryside. Difficult terrain challenges players technical and physical dispositions. The golf course belongs to the oldest and most beautiful golf localities in the Czech Republic. The holes are surrounded by greenwoods and offer intimate playing enviroment. There are regular competitions taking place here such as the Czech Tour, Citroen Cup, Eurotel Bohemia Tour, Mercedes Cup and number of other attractive tournaments.

CULTURE: International Film Festival (since 1946), Mozart a Karlovy Vary – the music festival, Tourfilm – the international festival of films about tourism, Dvoøákùv Karlovarský podzim, International Jazz Festival, Singers´ Competition of Antonín Dvoøák Museum, Town Theatre, cinemas, galleries, dancing cafes, discotheques.

TRANSPORTATION: International airport, railway and bus connections from the transport terminal Dolní nádraží to the whole republic. The region of Carlsbad is included to the Egrensis transportation system with Germany.

TOURIST SIGHTS:

Museum of Glass-blowing (Sklarske muzeum MOSER a.s.)

Historical and artistic development of glass works Moser from its foundation to the present days. Factory shop is the part of the museum.

Golden Key Museum (Muzeum Zlaty klic)

On the first floor of the museum there is the permanent exhibition of the paintings by Viennese painter Wilhelm Gaus (1853-1916), that he made for order of the town council. Paintings portray incomparable and unrepeatable atmosphere of Karlovy Vary in the end of the 19th century, atmosphere of colonnades and social life of the golden age of this spa. On the ground floor of the house there are exhibit halls of the Karlovy Vary Museum with short-term exhibitions of museum activities.

Museum of Karlovy Vary (Karlovarske muzeum - expozicni budova)

Countryside and history of the Karlovarsko region - Geology, flora, fauna - Archaeological discoveries - Spa healing - Crafts - Production of porcelain - Glass MOSER.

Museum of Karlovy Vary (Karlovarske muzeum)

On this address administrative and depositary building, library and documentation section.

Jan Becher Museum

Gallery of Art (Galerie umeni)

Modern art, porcelan and glas 19.-20. century

Colonnades:

Mlynska, Vridelni, Trzni, Sadova, Zamecka, Lazne I., Lazne III.

Look-out towers:

Diana - with funicular, Jeleni skok , Karla IV, Goethova

TOURIST SIGHTS IN THE VICINITY:

Loket - castle