Spring site: Market Colonnade
Location: On the left bank of the Teplá River in the historical centre of Karlovy Vary
Date of first interception: 1769
Temperature: 48,6°C
Yield: 2.5 litres per minute
CO2 content: 600 mg per litre
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 Street. The spring seep is located inside the promenade premises 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 across Jánský most (Jánský Bridge) to Tržiště Street.
The seep of the Zámecký pramen (Castle Spring) was discovered in 1769 in the original marketplace known as Tržiště (Market) below Zámecká věž (Castle Tower) in the historical centre of Karlovy Vary. During the very cold winter of 1784, when water across the town had frozen, the Castle Spring was distributed to public fountains. Local physician David Becher then analysed its composition and found it to be identical to Vřídlo (Hot Spring). The first arbour was built over the Castle Spring in 1797. In 1809, the seep of the Castle Spring unexpectedly disappeared and reappeared only 14 years later.
The first colonnade was built over the Castle Spring in 1830 and it was replaced by the present-day Art Nouveau Castle Colonnade erected between 1910 and 1912. The re-emerged seep of the Upper Castle Spring was supplied through a pipeline to the upper section of the complex. In the early 21st century, the Castle Colonnade was converted into the Zámecké lázně (Castle Spa) Spa and Wellness Centre. The Lower Castle Spring has been subsequently diverted to the Market Colonnade where it is accessible to the public.
Location
Lower Castle Spring
