Region of Karlovy Vary
Region of natural healing waters with the famous YEARLY film festival
PERSONAGES
Carlo IV
Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia (1316 - 1378). The legend of Charles IV says that when the Czech king was hunting in the forests in the west of Bohemia, he came across a hot spring one day, to which the emperor soon attributed healing powers. He proved this himself when the water healed his injured leg. He ordered the area around the spring to be settled and settled, and so it was. Then during the centuries, Karlovy Vary faced several wars and natural disasters, but it did not neglect its spa, architectural and cultural development and became one of the most famous spa towns in the world.
Pavel Nedvěd
("Big Paul") One of the most famous figures in Czech football who comes from the Karlovy Vary region, precisely from the small town of Skalná near Cheb. Currently vice-president of the football club Juventus Torino.
1. Vzduch – boží duch
2. Veselá mysl – půl zdraví
1. "Air - is the spirit of God." This popular saying means that the unique microclimatic conditions in this area are officially recognised as a natural healing resource.
2. "A cheerful mind - half health." The philosophy of spa towns has always offered and continues to offer rich social, cultural and sporting activities. Experts have always been aware of the need to treat not only the body but also the spirit.
2. "A cheerful mind - half health." The philosophy of spa towns has always offered and continues to offer rich social, cultural and sporting activities. Experts have always been aware of the need to treat not only the body but also the spirit.
WHAT TO EAT
Becherovka
The world-famous herbal liqueur. It is produced in Karlovy Vary according to a secret recipe known only to two people.
Thermal wafers
The wafers have belonged to the spa towns since 1788. Definitely a typical product and one that is linked to the Karlovy Vary region. There are waffles of various types and fillings, you can find them on every corner, they are round, fragrant, warm and sweet, filled and simple and if you like their taste, you can take them away with you as a tasty souvenir.
The Karlovy Vary gnocco
A true speciality, also internationally famous, it is originally Viennese but here it is enriched with fresh herbs and cooked in a buttered napkin. It can be found in any restaurant specialising in traditional Czech cuisine.
MUST-SEE
Loket Castle
A stone castle with an 800-year history, a Gothic pearl on a rocky promontory in the bend of the Ohře River, a place associated with legends and fairy tales, and the castle where King Charles IV often stayed. Today it is open to the public and a visit to the castle dungeon, where you will find an exhibition on the art of torture, is undoubtedly very interesting and a little scary. You can also admire the exhibition of historical weapons or period porcelain. Legend has it that the castle tower is guarded by the dragon Šarkan and that the housewives of the village of Loket used to go to him to get a spark for the stove.
Soos National Park
Near Františkovy Lázně is a national park called Soos or the Czech Yellowstone. It is an extensive peat bog and marshland, where a large number of mineral springs and pure carbon dioxide gush out in so-called moieties. The nature trail runs along the bottom of a drained lake that originally had saltwater, and you can also see protected animals and plants. In the park, there is a museum exhibition on the nature of the reserve and a palaeontological exhibition called History of the Earth.
Slavkovský Les
In the triangle between the most famous spas in West Bohemia lies the protected landscape area of Slavkovský les, a mountainous island of greenery and peace. The area of extensive forests, wetlands, and monuments is best known for its large number of mineral springs.
PICTURES
Karlovy Vary
Czechtourism Photo Archive
Region of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Mariánské Lázně
Czechtourism Photo Archive
Region of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Castello Loket
Czechtourism Photo Archive
Region of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic