9 Interesting Facts about Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is rightly considered one of the best spa resorts in the world. And, as is often the case, there are legends about the town's origins. It is said that while hunting, the entourage of King Charles IV accidentally fell into a spring gushing from the ground. The king ordered a survey of the area. When it turned out that the water was not only hot but also curative, the ruler ordered to erect a city near the discovered mineral water deposit and to build beautiful buildings with columns around the springs.

A lot of water has passed since then, and the city grew, developed, and became famous worldwide thanks to the magic properties of the hot springs. Many kings and celebrities have visited Karlovy Vary. The town is covered with legends. But in our article, we have collected only verified and most interesting facts about Karlovy Vary.

Contents

Fact 1. Mineral waters and health

The primary purpose for which tourists come here is the healing mineral water. There are 132 springs here, but only twelve have the strongest healing properties.

Long ago, treatment at the resort was limited to water procedures and baths. However, the situation changed dramatically when medieval doctors suggested using water internally. Historical evidence shows that some people managed to drink at one time 60 cups. However, the effect was the opposite of therapeutic. Do not be like those first visitors to Karlovy Vary; everything in moderation.

Fact 2. A monument to the plague that never happened

Karlovy Vary is the only place in the Czech Republic spared the plague. Not a single citizen died of this terrible disease during the epidemic. In other towns, you can find "Plague Pillars" erected in memory of the awful disease. It is also a sign of the burial of the dead. But in this city, the "Plague Pillar" was erected near the Church of Mary Magdalene as a sign of deep gratitude to the Creator for the health of the citizens.

• Karlovy Vary Family Travel Guide

Fact 3. The best movies get a Globe!

Every year, the spa town hosts a famous film festival. Everything is in the best traditions of such events: red carpets, luxurious outfits, camera flashes, spotlights, celebrities arriving in expensive cars, fans.

Guests at the film festival included Danny De Vito, Antonio Banderas, Robert De Niro, Jude Law, and many other international stars.

The festival's main award is the Crystal Globe. It is awarded to the best film. About two hundred films are usually nominated for this award.

Fact 4. The thirteenth healing spring

The Czech Republic is not only hundreds of beers. Karlovy Vary produces the famous Becherovka herbal liqueur, which the locals call the thirteenth healing spring. There is a museum dedicated to the author of the herbal tincture, and it is called the Becherovka Museum. Here, you will be told about the history and properties of the healing drink and offered to taste the liqueur prepared according to several recipes.

Fact 5. Movies that were filmed in Karlovy Vary

The city has served as a prominent backdrop for various film productions, notably featuring in the 2006 films "Last Holiday" and the blockbuster success "Casino Royale." These cinematic endeavors ingeniously employed the illustrious Grandhotel Pupp within diverse contexts.

Fact 6. Most popular Czech wafers

Karlovarské oplatky, also known as Karlovy Vary wafers, are a traditional Czech confection that has been made in the area of Karlovy Vary since the mid-18th century. Here are some interesting facts about Karlovarské oplatky:

• The first written record of Karlovarské oplatky comes from a 1788 guidebook to the spa town of Karlovy Vary.
• Karlovarské oplatky are made from a mixture of flour, sugar, and eggs, and they are baked on a special iron.
• The wafers are thin and crispy, and they are often served with whipped cream or ice cream.
• Karlovarské oplatky are a popular souvenir from Karlovy Vary, and they are sold in many shops and markets throughout the town.
• The wafers are often decorated with intricate designs, such as the town's coat of arms or other symbols of Karlovy Vary.
• Karlovarské oplatky are a part of the Slow Food Foundation's Ark of Taste, which is a catalog of traditional foods that are in danger of disappearing.

The wafers are a symbol of Karlovy Vary's rich history and culture, and they are a must-try for anyone visiting the town.

Fact 7. The most exotic attraction

Surprisingly enough, in Karlovy Vary, you can find hundreds of species of butterflies from all over the world. Colorful, immense, incredibly beautiful, some have wingspans of up to 20 cm. No, of course, they don't fly in colorful flocks around the city.

The resort is home to the Butterfly House, an attraction of particular interest to children.

There are no barriers between visitors and butterflies in this house, so exotic beauties can be seen right in your hand. And in the incubators, if you are lucky, you can see the birth of a new life.

Fact 8. The hottest spring

Vřídlo is the best-known hot spring in Karlovy Vary, and it is a popular attraction for visitors to the town. Here are some interesting facts about Vřídlo:

• The word "Vřídlo" means "boiling" in Czech, and it is an appropriate name for this hot spring, which gushes a geyser of hot water to a height of 37 feet (11 m).
• Vřídlo is the hottest of the 12 thermal springs in Karlovy Vary, with a temperature of 162° F (72° C).
• The water from Vřídlo is rich in minerals, including sodium, calcium, and magnesium, and it is believed to have healing properties.
• The Vřídlo colonnade is a beautiful structure that was built in the 19th century to protect the spring and to provide a place for visitors to drink the water.
• Inside the colonnade, there are five fountains with thermal water, and visitors can take a guided tour of the old part of the underground thermal spring.
• The guided tour of the underground thermal spring shows visitors the production of traditional Karlovy Vary souvenirs, the so-called "stone roses".
• The Vřídlo colonnade is a popular spot for taking photos, and it is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Karlovy Vary.

Fact 9. A little bit of Japan in Karlovy Vary

You may wonder: where is the Czech Republic, and where is Japan? But Karlovy Vary has its little piece of the Land of the Rising Sun — a rock garden designed by a famous Japanese landscape designer. These are not just beautifully arranged stones: every detail of the Zen garden has a meaning.

For example, white pebbles symbolize the sea between the hemispheres of our planet. A stone in the form of a ship is directed from the eastern part to the western region. The stone in the central part symbolizes Hanna Belz, a woman who contributed uniquely to developing relations between Japan and Czechoslovakia. By the way, the Zen garden is named in her honor.

Be sure to visit Karlovy Vary. There are many more exciting and unique things to see here. We will be glad if our article becomes helpful for you and inspires you to visit this famous resort!