Gazebos and Arbours in Karlovy

Dorothea’s Gazebo

Empire-style columnar gazebo

Location: In the valley of the Teplá River in the southern outskirts of the Karlovy Vary spa centre
Period of construction: 1791
Architect: Unknown
Official opening: 1791
Accessibility: Freely accessible

How to get there

Route 1: You may get to the gazebo from the Hot Spring in the spa centre if you walk upstream along the Teplá River, then turn at the Art Gallery and walk up several steps to the top of the rock promontory. A pleasant walk through the town centre is about 1.1 kilometres long and it will take you roughly thirty minutes.

Route 2: If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 2 or Bus No. 7 from the “Tržnice“ (Market) city bus terminal to the „Richmond” stop at the Art Gallery. From there, continue for about 200 metres all the way to the rock, on which the gazebo is located.

History of the structure

The Empire-style Dorothea’s Gazebo was built upon the order of Count Christian Clam-Gallas in 1791. It sits on a secluded granite promontory in the valley of the Teplá River behind Grandhotel Pupp in the southern outskirts of the spa centre of Karlovy Vary. Since the end of the 18th century, the trip through the Teplá River valley, known as Dorothea's Meadows (Dorotiny nivy), used to be one of the most popular walks of the spa guests of that time.

The gazebo was the first spa park structure in Karlovy Vary. The count had initiated its building in honour of Duchess Dorothea of Courland, with who he was in love. Dorothea’s Gazebo was also visited by none else but the expert on women of his time - Giacomo Casanova. This is where lovers have been confessing their love for each other to this day.

Gallery

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