Czech Travel Guide - Pragap Tour, s.r.o.

Spa therapy in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has a number of mineral springs, which have been used for medicinal purposes since the early 15th century. Spa towns with specific spa architecture and grandiose urban conceptions grew up around mineral springs. The colonnades of Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) and the splendid spa buildings in Marienbad (Mariánské Lázně) are world-famous. Czech spa towns are invariably located in picturesque natural landscapes and are attractive for both their urbanistic layout and their specific spa architecture. Some spa houses even boast elaborate original furnishings.

The development of balneology at the end of the 18th century coincided with major breakthroughs in science, technology and society.

Large spa houses started to be built along with colonnades and decorative structures above and around mineral springs. Spa towns began adopting a systematic approach to their architectural planning and strove for a unified appearance. Much attention was devoted to the mineral springs themselves, with geological probes and chemical analyses of the waters’ contents; this was a very dynamic era. Tough competition became the hallmark of the spa industry, and local spa entrepreneurs thrived.

Czech spas were frequented by a highly sophisticated clientele. To this day, the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Teplice pride themselves on the visits by Czar Peter the Great, King Edward VII of England and Albrecht of Wallenstein. Frequent spa guests also included such giants of European culture as Goethe, Schiller, Chopin, Beethoven and Wagner, to name just a few.

The 18th century was the period of birth and development of the spa industry; but it was the 19th century in which spas truly began to flourish. Spa complexes were expanded and modernized; a number of new treatment methods were introduced. Spa procedures became specialized, and the Czech spa industry gained renown for its medical efficiency. Spa stays were no longer considered just a form of treatment; they became a hallmark of social status. Spa towns have developed into centres of social and cultural life and magnets for tourism. After Prague, they were the second most visited destination in the country.

The last decade of the past century opened up new horizons to Czech spas. Lifestyle changes dictated the expansion of spa programs to include new forms of relaxation and regeneration, beauty treatments and stress-reduction programs. These are all perfectly complemented by a range of sports and fitness activities such as golf, cycling, hiking and walking, tennis, gym routines and other activities. Expanded spa programs are offered by no fewer than 40 spa towns in the Czech Republic.

Print Add This Top