Trip type:
By car, Cycle
Distance from KV: 35 km
The history of the town
People knew about mineral springs in the midst of swamps and deep forests, in place of today's town since the Middle Ages. However, their healing effects were not subjected to studying until the late 18th century. In 1812, the Abbot of the Teplá Monastery, Karl Gaspar Reitenberger decided to build an independent village called Mariánské Lázně, and in 1818, it was declared a "public spa resort." The influx of spa guests led to rapid development of this spa town: first colonnades, pavilions, gazebos and parks, first classicist and Empire buildings started to appear. Among its famous visitors were Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Fryderyk Chopin, Richard Wagner, English King Edward VII and others.
Today, Mariánské Lázně is the second largest spa town in the country, and together with Karlovy Vary and Františkovy Lázně, forms one of the most attractive regions of the country, known as the West Bohemian Spa Triangle.
Interesting sites in Mariánské Lázně
The town spa colonnades and promenades, nestled among splendid urban parks, became the symbol of the town. The monumental cast iron New or Spa Colonnade was built between 1888 and 1889 according to a design by Viennese architects Miksch and Niedzielský. The structure originally measured 180 metres and was the longest colonnade building in Bohemia. The colonnade continues in a replica of the Cross Spring Colonnade, built between 1912 and 1913.
In front of the colonnades opens up a long promenade space dominated by the Singing Fountain, accompanied by the sound of symphonic compositions. Nearby you can find a monument of the founder of the town, Karl Gaspar Reitenberger, built in 1879. The promenade space ends with a copy of the antique Caroline Spring Colonnade.
When exploring the town surroundings, do not miss the romantic ruin-like Hamelika Lookout from 1876. A tour through the unique Boheminium Miniature Park will take you around numerous models of major construction and technical monuments of the Czech Republic. In addition to that, Mariánské Lázně is home to the second oldest golf course in Europe, the Mariánské Lázně Royal Golf Club.
Mariánské Lázně offers a rich cultural life, an infinite number of other historical buildings and monuments, relaxation and sports activities, spa treatments and trips to the beautiful surrounding countryside. Therefore it became a very popular destination of Karlovy Vary spa guests who want to liven up their stay here.
How to get there
Mariánské Lázně is located about 35 kilometres south-west of Karlovy Vary. If you decide to go there by car, it is best to use the R6 Motorway in the direction of Cheb. Take Exit 162 at Jesenice onto the I/21 Road to Mariánské Lázně. Drive for 62 kilometres and in about three-quarters of an hour you will arrive to the destination. Another way you can get to the town is to go by train via Bečov nad Teplou. The trains leave from Dolní nádraží (Lower Railway Station). Or take a bus, but you will have to change to another bus in Toužim. If you would like to ride a bike, start in the Karlovy Vary district of Doubí. The trip via Horní Slavkov, Krásno and Prameny is 37 kilometres long and takes about two hours.
Location
Mariánské Lázně
