Spa III

Location: On the left bank of the Teplá River in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: Between 1864 and 1866
Architect: L. Renner, Gustav Hain and Eduard Labitzky
Official opening: 10 September 1866
Accessibility: Accessible during opening hours

How to get there

Route 1: You may reach Spa III if you walk from the Hot Spring in the spa centre along the left bank of the Teplá River and the Mill Colonnade. The short walk through the spa centre is approximately 600 metres long and takes about 10 minutes.

Route 2: The second alternative is to travel by Bus No. 1 or Bus No. 4 from the "Tržnice" (Market) city bus terminal to the "Lázně III" (Spa III) terminal stop. From there, walk approximately 100 metres across Lázeňský most (Spa Bridge) over the Teplá River and Mlýnské nábřeží (Mill Embankment) directly to Spa III.

History of the structure

The monumental spa building was built in Early Historicism style between the years 1864 and 1866 according to the design of architects L. Renner, Gustav Hain and Eduard Labitzky behind the present-day Mill Colonnade in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary. The grand opening of the new spa house, known as Lázně III (Spa III) since the foundation of Czechoslovakia, took place on 10 September 1866.

At the time of its completion, the new spa building provided most contemporary balneological procedures and it also functioned as a music centre. The complex included steam baths, a concert hall named in honour of Antonín Dvořák, four small halls, and a restaurant.

During the reconstruction of the roof in 2002, an extensive fire broke out in the attic, completely destroying the roof truss over the concert hall. The costly renovation of the building was completed in 2004. The spa building continues to serve not only for traditional spa treatment complemented with modern balneological procedures, but also as an important cultural and social centre. The Antonín Dvořák Concert Hall, for example, regularly hosts concerts of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra.