The richly carved wooden Tržní kolonáda (Market Colonnade) was built in Swiss style according to the design of highly reputed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer between the years 1882 and 1883. The colonnade underwent an extensive reconstruction in the early 1990s. Inside the Market Colonnade, you may find the seeps of three mineral springs: the Charles IV Spring, the Lower Castle Spring, and the Market Spring.
Facts about the Market Colonnade
Structure type: Wooden colonnade built in Swiss style
Location: On the left bank of the Teplá River in the historical centre of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: Between 1882 and 1883
Architect: Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer
Official opening: 1883
Springs: Pramen Karlav IV. (Charles IV Spring), Dolní zámecký pramen (Lower Castle Spring) and Tržní pramen (Market Spring)
Accessibility: Freely accessible
How to get there
Route 1: You may reach the Market Colonnade if you walk from the Hot Spring in the spa centre across Jánský most (Jánský Bridge) to Tržiště (Market) Street. The spring seeps are located inside the promenade hall of the Market Colonnade. This short walk is approximately 200 metres long and takes about 5 minutes.
Route 2: If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 2 from the "Tržnice" (Market) city bus terminal to the "Divadelní náměstí" (Theatre Square) terminal stop. From there, follow Route 1 to Tržiště (Market) Street and to the colonnade.
Gallery
Springs
Charles IV Spring
According to legend, Emperor Charles IV healed his ailing limbs particularly at this spring. The famed legend of the foundation of Karlovy Vary is depicted on the bronze relief hanging directly over the spring bowel. The relief is entitled "The Discovery of the Hot Springs by Charles IV" and it was created by artistic blacksmith Adolf Zörkel.
Lower Castle Spring
Zámecký pramen (Castle Spring) is divided into Horní zámecký pramen (Upper Castle Spring) and Dolní zámecký pramen (Lower Castle Spring), the temperatures of which differ due to the varying altitude of their seeps. Since the main seep of the Lower Castle Spring is accessible only to the guests of the Zámecké lázně (Castle Spa) Spa and Wellness Centre, the spring has been partially diverted to the Market Colonnade where it may be enjoyed by all spa visitors.
Market Spring
Since its discovery in 1838, the spring has repeatedly vanished and reappeared. The spring was named after the marketplace that had been on the site in the Middle Ages.
