Statue of Charles IV

Location: In Sady Karla IV. (Charles IV Park) in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary
Year of creation: 1955
Author: Otakar Švec
Date of unveiling: May 1955
Accessibility: Freely accessible

How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the monument if you walk from the Hot Spring in the spa centre along the Teplá River and Grandhotel Pupp to the park in front of Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa). This short level route through the historical part of the city is approximately 500 metres long and it will take you about 10 minutes.

Route 2:        If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 2 from the "Tržnice" (Market) stop to the "Lázně I" (Spa I) stop in the vicinity of Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa). The bus stop is right next to the monument. You may also travel to the "Lázně I" (Spa I) stop by shuttle Bus No. 20 from the KOME park-and-ride car park. The bus line operates daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

History of the monument

The monument of the founder of Karlovy Vary, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV, by Prague academic sculptor Otakar Švec was installed in 1955 in Sady Karla IV. (Charles IV Park) in front of Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa) in the spa centre. A student of renowned sculptor Josef Myslbek, Otakar Švec was also the author of the grandiose Stalin's monument on the Prague hill of Letná. The unveiling ceremony took place in May 1955.

The figural sandstone statue portrays the sovereign with a crown on his head and a model of a house in his left hand and a sceptre in his right hand. The statue stands on a high stepped pedestal decorated with a relief of the coat of arms of the town of Karlovy Vary. Despite the fact that the monument was originally intended as the centrepiece of Karlovy Vary, it stands rather forgotten and neglected by the visitors coming to the spa.