Czech spas are worth a visit, regardless of the purpose of the visit, passing through or for the sake of healing springs. The sights of Karlovy Vary in many ways resemble other objects, but they have a special flavor. Mineral waters and “Kalovary” salt attracted members of the families of monarchs and European celebrities for treatment. The city has about 50 thousand inhabitants, whose main duty is to serve the resort. The well-being of the city is directly related to its tourism and balneological specialization. Carlsbad survived the Hussite and Napoleonic Wars. The flood of 1582 and the fires of 1609 and 1759 destroyed almost all the houses. The glory of the European resort contributed to the rapid revival of Karlovy Vary. Viennese architects designed the city's buildings in the years 1870-1890. Prague was connected to the spa town by railroad tracks.

Goethe tower

There is a tower on a hill, which is called the “Peak of Eternal Youth”. It was built at the end of the 19th century. When Princess Stephanie once rose here, she liked the views that opened her eyes so much that she ordered immediately to build a tower on the hill. And since the walk took a lot of time, and one could get hungry, it was decided to build a restaurant next to the tower.

The project belonged to the Austrians – Ferdinand Felner and Hermann Gelmer. The tower has been open to the public since 1889. Initially, it was planned to hold a cable car here, so that everyone could easily get to the top. Although it is not high, only 638 meters, but for some people, even such an ascent can be tiring. However, due to the outbreak of the First World War, the cable car construction project remained unrealized. The tower has changed several names. Finally, in 1957, she was named after Goethe. It is known that the great poet liked to come here.

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Gardens of Smetana

Getting to know the city is quite tiring. A visit to the Smetana Gardens will allow you not only to see one of the sights, but also to relax in one of the most beautiful places. The gardens are not named after a dairy product beloved by many. Bedrich Smetana is a Czech composer whose works are very popular. A bright touch will meet you at the entrance to the park. There is a large flower bed here, and in the center of its flowers display today's date. The noise of the fountain, numerous benches, green lawns… Here, by the way, you can sit right on the grass, no one will scold you for it. Also, visiting the gardens of Smetana, you can take part in one of the entertainment events that are regularly held here.

Moser Glass Museum

Not all tourists are attracted by an excursion to the glass museum. But those who visit it are not disappointed. People of the Soviet era still remember how they stood in line for “Czech glass”. This is where his home is. The tour can include a visit to the glass museum only, or it can be extended if you want to see the glass factory. This is an old enterprise, it is more than a century and a half old. In the workshop you will get acquainted directly with the production process. With bated breath, you will watch the birth of a new product. In the museum, you can look at the best works of masters. Among them, there are those that were made 100 or more years ago, and there are also modern ones. Suffice it to say that dishes made from the famous Czech glass are served on the table of royalty.

But, of course, everyone is interested in the opportunity to buy souvenirs. There is also a company store here. You can buy anything – not only souvenirs, but also dishes, various decorations. The price range is large. It sells both collectibles and nice little things. If the tour tired you – go to the Moser coffee house, taste the branded and very tasty coffee. By the way, there is a fountain nearby, which is decorated with crystal figures.

Jan Becher Museum

Another excursion that will give guests a lot of joy is a visit to the Jan Becher Museum. Everyone, of course, tried the Czech liqueur Becherovka. But few people know that it was first made in 1809 by the pharmacist Becher. Of course, he did not at all think that his tincture would become a popular and beloved alcoholic drink by many. He simply stated that he had made a miraculous remedy for improving digestion. After a short time, the “remedy” was appreciated by the whole world, but only a very narrow group of people knows the exact recipe for making Becherovka. Local water and herbs are used for this. True, some spices for Becherovka are still brought to the Czech Republic from abroad. Herbs are placed in a bag, and this, in turn, is placed in a vessel with alcohol.

The museum dedicated to the famous drink was opened relatively recently – in 1992. Here you will be told about how Becherovka was invented, and you will be given a tour of the wine cellars. You can also look at the vessels in which the liquor was stored and sold – for two centuries it was bottled in a variety of shapes. And, of course, you can buy Becherovka in any quantity and bring the liquor home as a souvenir. I would especially like to note that tours at the plant are conducted in Russian.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene

The church is a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Many trials fell to his lot. The church is located next to the Vrzhidlo spring. The crusaders built the first building here at the end of the 15th century. At the same time, a church parish was opened here, and a few years later a cemetery appeared. The church was soon rebuilt. The Gothic style was replaced by the Renaissance. Then the fire destroyed the church, but it was recreated again. In the 18th century it was decided to build a larger church. The project was prepared by Kilian Dientzenhofer. It was planned to move the church to another place, since a powerful source located nearby would greatly complicate the construction work.

But, as the believers said, it was already a “prayed place”. Therefore, it was decided to demolish the remains of the old church to the ground, and start construction from scratch. It was necessary to work with extreme caution, since Vrzhidlo (Geyser) carried its hot waters here. In 1759, after the construction was completed, there was a new fire. Only the altars survived from the beautiful church. I had to get back to work. The church of St. Mary Magdalene was completely ready by the middle of the 19th century. Today, all tourists find time to visit the church. View its beautiful paintings and statues. Organ music concerts are also regularly held here.

Karlovy Vary Art Gallery

It is also called the Art Gallery. The beautiful building is located on the embankment of Teplá. The gallery was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. But after the Second World War, the fund had to be restored. In January 1953, as a result of the painstaking work of art historians and volunteers, the gallery opened its doors. Here are collected paintings and other works of art relating to the 19th-20th century. Some works are exhibited permanently, while others change. Many paintings by contemporary Czech artists are also presented here.

City theater

It is also located on the banks of the Tepla. In the neighborhood is a square called the Theater. Here you can park your car. The theater building was reconstructed at the end of the 19th century. Interestingly, the first theater was built in the 18th century from wood. Despite the beauty of wooden buildings, this material is fragile. Years later, the building collapsed. Unfortunately, this happened just when the performance was being given in the hall. People died. But the residents loved their theater so much that they decided to reconstruct it. The new building was already made of stone. Now it is one of the most visited places. You can watch opera and ballet, listen to an orchestra or enjoy an operetta.

Loket Castle

This is a truly fabulous castle that will interest both history lovers and those who are attracted by mysticism. Initially, the castle was a fortress that protected the Czechs from German troops. Later, when the raids of the conquerors stopped, Loket began to play the role of a prison. And today, tourists who come here on excursions see both cameras and instruments of torture. Periodically, as a theatrical act, a staging of the execution is performed. Also here you can admire collections of works of art, in particular, porcelain. Numerous figurines of gnomes will also attract attention, many of which, according to legend, bring good luck. Legends say that the tower is haunted and guarded by a dragon. Like it or not – try to check for yourself.

Funicular Diana

The funicular is used to climb to the observation tower of the same name, built at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the very three-minute journey in the cable car to the Peak of Friendship – this is the name of this hill – gives tourists a lot of pleasure. After all, the trailer glides over a beautiful forest, gradually gaining height, and allowing you to see picturesque landscapes. The height of the observation deck of the tower is 35 m. You can climb both the stairs and the elevator.

Viewpoint “Three Crosses”

Most of the guests of the remarkable place try to visit sightseeing tours and viewing platforms, including the Three Crosses. From here you can see all the splendor of the resort. The unusual name is given because of the 3 crosses installed on this hill. They symbolize the death of 3 brothers who died for their faith. The re-Catholicization of the city took place after 1620; memorial crosses were erected in honor of it. They were erected back in the 17th century – the city returned under the protectorate of the Catholic Church. “Three Crosses” remains the most popular observation deck, although getting to a high point is not easy.

As you know, the Czech Republic is classified as an atheistic country, although during the Late Middle Ages, battles between Catholics and Protestants took place here. Today, the minimum number of believers in relation to the entire population lives in the state. The church, famous for the Hussite wars for the purity of confession, has been preserved here. The opened view is worthy of capturing yourself against this background. Tours pass through this place. You can walk here from the center following the tourist signs in the forested area.

Observation tower “Diana”

The highest point above the center is 562 m above sea level. The total height of the attraction is about 40m. For lovers of walks, it is recommended to get to the top on foot (following blue signs), as well as by minibus or funicular of the same name. The hill rising above the city was equipped for visitors as early as 1804, when the forest was thinned out and benches were installed. These picturesque places were described by Theodor Kerner and Wolfgang Goethe, who in those days had to climb on foot.

In clear weather, the horizon and distant objects are visible from here, including the Spruce Mountains (the Fichtelgebirge mountain range). The stone observation tower was repeatedly completed and renamed, not so long ago the post-war name “Diana” was fixed. When the construction of the observation point was completed, it became a favorite place for walking. The construction of the observation deck with 150 steps was completed in the summer of 1914.

Since 1981, the object has been included in the list of cultural heritage of the Czech Republic. Many European celebrities have visited these places. Today, the best panorama opens from this point. A pedestal with a covered wooden gallery and an observation deck shows the resort town at a glance. These are low mountains, protected forests and river valleys. The observation facility operates according to a seasonal schedule. You can climb here from the Karlovy Vary platform – from the Grand Hotel Pupp, you can get to the gallery by elevator.

Observation deck “Deer Jump”

The historical place where the history of the resort began is a point on the rock “Deer Jump”. An equipped observation deck is easy to find to the west of the resort town. This popular place has been open to visitors since 1804. At the foot of the cliff is the largest hotel, from where you can climb the funicular and see many sights. Not a single tour with a visit to the best Czech resort is complete without a visit to the “Deer Jump”.

This oldest observation deck is literally a legendary place, shrouded in myths and legends, located in a picturesque forest area. A platform with a wooden gazebo was built by a rich Viennese merchant, a native of Karlovy Vary, to perpetuate his name. A statue of a chamois, which played an important role in finding healing hot springs, can be seen on a rock. The jumping chamois is one of the symbols of the city. According to legend, the animal fled from hunters when it was poisoned by the dogs of Emperor Charles.

The dog, following the chamois that jumped from the cliff, landed in a hot spring with its paws and attracted the attention of people. Touched by the picturesque forests, the monarch ordered the founding of a city that immortalized Emperor Charles. Today, a small provincial town with thermal mineral springs has grown into one of the best balneological resorts. You can climb 126 steps to the observation deck or take the funicular.

Svatosh rocks

Among the natural attractions in the vicinity, one cannot but mention the relic rock formation, which is millions of years old. These are the Svatosh rocks, they are declared a national treasure of the Czech Republic. Unique geomorphological granite pillars stick out on the slopes of mountains overgrown with coniferous forests. Rare endemic plants have been preserved here, which are not found anywhere else.

It seems that time has frozen, and because of the nearest rock, herbivorous dinosaurs are about to raise their heads. This unique place is located between Loket and Karlovy Vary. The waters of the Ohře River have formed a deep canyon, making their way through the mountain massif of the Slavkovský Forest. Picturesque places with single rocks up to 50 m high. Everywhere there are bizarre stone pillars, cones and truncated pyramids, dissected by cracks.

From a distance, they are somewhat reminiscent of a solemn procession of petrified giants. Hence the second name of the natural formation – “frozen wedding”. These places are rich in legends, tales and folk tales about Jan Svatosh (Hans Heiling) and the enchanted wedding procession. Part of the rocks is endowed with the names of the wedding guests. The unique rocks are protected by the state, the protected forest was visited by many writers, including Goethe and the Brothers Grimm.

Bečov nad Teplou Castle

To visit this attraction, you will have to go to the suburbs. The ancient castle and the castle of Bečov nad Teplou are located 25 km from the resort. The Romanesque castle and the fortress make up a single architectural ensemble that perfectly fits into the local landscape. The historical and cultural monument is also interesting because there is a unique reliquary of St. Maurus here. A unique sarcophagus of jewelry work, its value is comparable only to the treasuries of the royal crown.

The fortress was built in the 1st half of the 14th century. However, excavations confirm that the wooden parts of the buildings are of an earlier origin. During construction, a 3-story chapel was added to the tower. A wall painting in the dry fresco technique dating back to 1360 has survived to this day. The earthquake slightly damaged the walls, but the foundation remained intact. Therefore, it was possible to reconstruct with the addition of residential and auxiliary premises.

Since the 14th century, new owners appeared near the fortress, who decided to start decorating interiors in the Renaissance style. Today this territory is called “Plugovsky Houses” (by the name of the owner), the lands were bought from the ruined monastery. The reconstruction involved undermining part of the foundation, the building was damaged. Only what was restored in the 1840s has survived to our time, including antique furniture. From Bečov nad Teplou, hiking tours through the reserved mountain forests are organized. The local restaurant is famous for its national cuisine and homely atmosphere.

Hotel Imperial

Each resort town has its own pattern, symbolizing a luxurious life on vacation. Literally on the slope of the mountain huddles the building of the hotel “Imperial”, surrounded by a park area. This is a unique find of European architects – it seems that the building is literally floating in the air against the backdrop of wooded mountains. Comfortable 4- and 5-star rooms, the Prague restaurant, the best service in massage and beauty parlors, highly qualified medical staff – all this is Imperial.

Today it is the best sanatorium hotel with a balneological bias, which not everyone can afford. Comprehensive treatment at the level of the highest world standards – innovative technologies plus the classic restoration of health with water from local sources. Nutritionists and rehabilitation specialists develop a personal wellness diet regimen, exercise therapy plan and physiotherapy for people with different levels of physical activity.

At various times, composers I.S. Bach and R. Wagner, writers W. Goethe, F. Kafka and A. Tolstoy. Peter the Great and other historical figures stayed here. Today the hotel is open to guests who must pre-book a room.

Christmas House

A large building dedicated to the only holiday of the year, this is only possible here. The building is filled with Christmas trees and Christmas decorations, festive decor and souvenirs for every taste. The atmosphere of a winter holiday lives here all year round, there is no better place to rent a hall for a birthday or for a romantic meeting.

The patio is decorated with a Bethlehem dramatization of the miracle of the birth of Jesus. Tourists arriving on Christmas Eve rush to visit the unique object with their families. Angels and lambs, colored Christmas trees and all kinds of decorations, friendly snowmen and other attributes of Christmas are everywhere. This fills the fabulous interiors of Doubi Castle, which lies on the banks of the Ohře River.

Here you can take pictures and shoot with a camera, many exhibits are for free sale. You can take a part of the Karlovy Vary winter holiday with you if you are lucky enough to spend your winter holidays here. For younger visitors, there is a magical snow town with a toy train. All decorations are designed by Merkur Toys – beautiful, interesting and unforgettable.

Museum of History and Local Lore

There is a local history museum in any major city, the place where you should go in your free time from medical appointments. The resort is famous for its balneological orientation, there are few entertainments here, but if you wish, you can find something educational for every day. 3 buildings are allocated for the halls of the museum, the tour usually lasts no more than an hour. During this time, the most complete picture of the region and its history will be formed.

The museum is one of the most visited city sights. A beautiful place on the banks of the Tepla River opposite the Grand Hotel Pupp. Guests are offered a printout with information on the main exhibits in different languages, so after the trip there will always be an opportunity to delve into the information. The most interesting are ancient and medieval sculptures, valuable artifacts of Europe from the Paleolithic period, dishes made of porcelain, colored glass and crystal.

During the visit, you can learn about the nature of local phenomena. For example, where does the water of the local Geyser come from and where do some mineral springs disappear for a while. The history of the City Film Festival, the cultural traditions of the spa town, the traditions of brewing and the production of Czech glass. The local history museum has a rich collection of portraits of celebrities who have made a significant contribution to the formation of the region. It is curious to see the layout of the city as it was in the 17th century.

Geyser pavilion

The spacious gallery of modern design made of glass and concrete in the traditions of constructivism and functionalism was built in 1975. It was the best of the proposed Geyser, a beating hot spring that occasionally changes its intensity. The isolated pavilion above the most popular mineral spring changed its appearance several times.

The pump room, designed in the form of a fountain bowl, has enough space in height for an emergency situation. This spring has several exits, including the Geyser Colonnade. In 1826, it was equipped in the Empire style, half a century later it was replaced with a cast-iron colonnade designed by the same Viennese architects. G. Gelmer and F. Felner did a lot of useful things for the appearance of Karlovy Vary, each project was very successful. Light protection for the Geyser was not enough – the fountain pulsates to a height of 12 m. Therefore, it was decided to replace gazebos and sheds on thin supports with a building made of glass and concrete.

The geyser periodically explodes, each time bringing destructive changes to the appearance of the colonnade. In order to isolate vacationers from powerful emissions and find worthy use for turbulent waters, on the advice of an authoritative doctor, a large baroque geyser hall was built. This thoughtful decision contributed to the complex arrangement of the territory.

The geyser pavilion is a new solution of famous Viennese architects. The gazebo above the Geyser had to be reconstructed over time due to corrosion of the connecting parts, replacing it with a temporary wooden building. The modern version is the idea of Yaroslav Otruba, it came to life in 1975. One of the excursion routes is like the dungeon of this object. The geyser shoots out of the ground in the very center of the resort – at the Theater Square.

Imperial Hospital

The First Hospital is located at the Grand Hotel Pupp. The old buildings were almost completely destroyed because of the fires. Perhaps, thanks to this, all the architectural ensembles of the city look holistically. The last revision was carried out at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries, unattractive and unsuitable buildings were removed. Instead, majestic hotels and comfortable sanatoriums have risen.

The imperial hospital was designed in the traditions of the Renaissance with the addition of elements of antiquity. The building is a bit like a hotel or some kind of European theater. The construction was completed in 1895, during the heyday of Karlovy Vary town planning. The richly decorated facade emphasizes the purpose of the hospital, prepared for the visit of Emperor Franz Joseph.

Bas-reliefs and porticoes, sculptures and graceful balconies, columns and stucco elements – all visually highlight the building against the backdrop of magnificent architecture. Today, this place houses a museum whose exposition tells about the history of Karlovy Vary and the cultural life of the Czech Republic. The visit is available as part of public events, but the building will be repurposed after a major renovation.

Arbor Alois Klein

Resort towns are famous for their sanatoriums and hotels, SPA-salons and attractive tourist sites. Alois Klein's gazebo is no exception. The green area near the Richmond Park Hotel is one of the most beautiful places on the southern outskirts of the popular European resort.

The southern outskirts were ennobled in the 18th century, having discovered one of the most delicious mineral springs. The green spaces around the healing spring eventually became part of the territory of the Richmond Park Hotel. The ferruginous spring with a sour taste was named after the Austrian Archduchess Stephanie.

“Shtepanka”, due to the unique physical and chemical composition, entered the majority of therapeutic and prophylactic prescriptions. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the source dried up, only a pump-room and a beautiful building with lacy spans under the roof remained. The search for a new source was successful, and Alois Klein's pavilion was updated. The hydrogeological composition of Karlovy Vary changes when the next explosion of the Geyser occurs, so any spring can go deep underground forever.

Butterfly house

Not everyone had a unique opportunity to witness the first flight of an insect that turns from a caterpillar into a butterfly. For this purpose, tourists and vacationers in sanatoriums come to the Butterfly House. Photography is allowed in the glass gallery, so people come here for a rare video or photo from a romantic ceremony. Reception – the ability to pre-register for a wedding or engagement ceremony.

The delightful beauty of “fluttering flowers” captivates even those who have never been interested in exotic insects. Representatives of tropical fauna from South America and Central Africa, the Philippines and Thailand, Mexico and Malaysia are gathered under one dome. The most patient will be rewarded at the incubator – the miracle of the birth of one of the largest tropical butterflies from a chrysalis – with a wingspan of up to 20 cm.

A delightful place is the flight zone, where “newborn” specimens knead their still fragile wings and taste nectar and fruits. This is a rare opportunity to see representatives of rare species in one place. Some butterflies are very rare in nature due to the deteriorating ecology. Any instance can land on your hair, arm, or shoulder, so you should always be prepared to take a single shot.

Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is one of the most beautiful functioning places of worship in the Czech Republic. It is open daily to visitors during the daytime. Everyone can walk in and admire the splendor of its interior decoration and exterior decoration by the hand of the architect Gustav Wiedermann. The domes and domes of the blue and white Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul are visible from many points in the city. It was built in 1893-1898, in the best traditions of Russian-Byzantine churches.

For this, a good place was allocated in the green zone of fashionable city blocks – closer to the western outskirts. The prototype was the Orthodox church in Ostankino. Construction was carried out with generous donations from wealthy vacationers from Serbia and the Russian Empire. The new temple was intended to replace a small church that could not accommodate everyone. The rector of the local Orthodox Church appealed to the city authorities with a request to allocate land for a large temple. The initiative was approved by facilitating the expansion of the old church on Mariansko-Lazenskaya Street.

The new Orthodox church, built in the shape of a Maltese cross, is richly decorated with galleries and porches, gilded domes, ornamental stucco and paintings. People come here not only to pray, ordinary tourists come to appreciate the splendor of the oak iconostasis decorated with majolica. It was specially prepared for the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900. The icons by the artist Tyurin are painted in oil, they have a high artistic value. You can walk to the temple on foot or get by bus (route number 4) and from the Krale Jiřigo stop and climb a few meters along Peter the Great Street.

Anglican Church of St. Luke

In addition to the Orthodox church and Catholic basilicas, the resort town has several places of worship. The building of the Anglican Church of St. Luke is not used for church needs, but is still of great interest as an architectural object. This is a work of the architect Josef Motes, erected in 1877.

The Anglican Church is located on Castle Hill, opposite the Bristol Hotel. A typical building in the pseudo-Gothic style, modest and majestic at the same time. It was built with donations from guests of the resort and city patrons. In the West End mansions quarter, it is distinguished by features typical of places of worship (red brick, round dormer windows with stained-glass windows, gabled roof).

An interesting tourist site, outwardly resembling a fortification or a mini-fortress. This is how the Anglican church looks from below if you go up to the building up Zamecky Vrch street. Close up, the room is somewhat reminiscent of an old castle, in the backyard there are several burials. If you look inside – new impressions, there is an exposition of wax figures.

This church was built to replace the old building that belonged to the Anglican community – on Zahradní údolí street. The first parishioners were received back in 1877. After many years of work, the church was closed for restoration, the community gradually moved out, and was no longer used as a religious building after the Second World War. Today, tourists come here to take pictures against the backdrop of wax figures.

Exposition of wax figures

Karlovy Vary is a famous European resort, which has been visited by many celebrities at different times. Some of them were immortalized in the form of wax figures and installed in the building of the former Anglican Church. This building is a real “pearl” of the resort. But no less interesting is the exhibition itself, arranged in the best traditions of expositions of wax figures of the Tussauds family.

Among the first sculptures are representatives of royal families, world-famous politicians, show business celebrities and distinguished guests. It is worth recalling that European monarchs and members of their families improved their health on the waters of the resort at different times. From the world famous musical elite, L. van Beethoven, N. Paganini, R. Wagner and F. Chopin admired the beauty of the local nature. Many European classics, Russian writers and poets – K.N. Batyushkov, N.V. Gogol, I.S. Turgenev and others.

Among the rulers of our state, the healing waters of the resort were very much appreciated by M.S. Gorbachev, A.N. Kosygin and L.I. Brezhnev. The unique history of the city is reflected in the faces of the wax figures. Visitors to the exhibition are waiting for the opportunity to take pictures with their idols, other surprises, including “magic” mirrors. This place will remain in the memory of tourists for a long time.

Villa Lützow

One of the unique architectural objects, Villa Lützow, is located on a rather steep mountainside. The whole city is located in a picturesque crevice of the rocky mountains, which gives a special charm to the resort. A delightful landscape opens up from the mountain slope, so it's worth climbing here at least for the sake of indescribable sensations. The snow-white villa changed owners several times, now it belongs to a private person. Therefore, most guests have to admire only from a distance. This is the best private building, although the city is impressive in its overall architectural design.

The biggest delight among young visitors is the pedestal with a small statue of a cat. Empire style villa blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Built in 1854 for Baron August von Lützow, it was one of the first luxury villas in Karlsbad. In those days, it was distinguished by a magnificent well-groomed garden with a romantic spirit, where the sculptures of August Kiss were erected.

They were brought by order from Berlin. The creation of city architect Johann Knoll is closed to daily visits. But the owners generously open the villa to visitors several times a year. Everything here impresses with its aristocratic luxury and fine artistic taste. It is worth visiting this exquisite object on the mountainside.

castle tower

The name implies a tall building, reminiscent of the plots of fairy tales. Excavations have shown that there was a later ancient castle, which did not exist before the entire city experienced its heyday. The tower was built around 1358, during the reign of Charles IV, when it was planned to leave the hunting grounds in these places. European aristocracy came here for lavish banquets and balls.

A fire in 1604 destroyed most of the area of the castle, but the monarch ordered the restoration of the tower and the premises adjacent to it. The building erected in the same place has been pleasing tourists since the 17th century. Today, the tower on the Castle Hill is a cozy restaurant in the Gothic style. Beautiful views of the city, rising in the vicinity of the Castle Tower, complement the overall impression.

The center, the square, the openwork colonnade, the restaurant, sanatoriums and hotels are clearly visible from the windows. For a long time, the tower was used for notification – troubadours from these windows announced the visit of carriages with crowned persons to the city. Today, in one of the halls of the restaurant, you can order a feast in the best traditions of the Middle Ages. You can wear a puffy dress or a hat with feathers, but you can’t bring back an entire era.

Orthodox chapel of St. Nicholas

There are not so many religious buildings of small forms, but all of them are of some interest to devout visitors to the resort. In the area of the Aberg observation tower there is a small Orthodox chapel of St. Nicholas – this is on the Doubska mountain. The object has been officially opened since the autumn of 2000. The beautiful wooden building with the icon of St. Nicholas impresses with the integrity of the composition. The architect obviously made sure that you would like to climb to this place again. The whole area is lovingly fenced with flowers in mobile containers.

A small chapel was built by N.G. Stepanov, and Vladyka Metropolitan Dorotheos consecrated the foundation or cornerstone of the forthcoming construction. The harvesting of building timber was carried out in Russia, each log was carefully processed and numbered. The assembly was carried out directly in Karlovy Vary. The solemn consecration took place with the participation of the Archbishop of Bohemia and Bishop Christopher on November 16, 2000. The object is available only for external inspection. The chapel and the observation point among luxurious greenery are worthy of visiting tourists and Orthodox vacationers.

Cisarske Lazne

Representative 2-storey building in the pseudo-Renaissance style – a modern sanatorium. It was built during the general flourishing of urban planning, 1893 – 1895. This is a project of well-known architects from Vienna F. Felner and G. Gelmer. The territory of the city brewery – the southern outskirts of the resort resort – was allocated for construction. The architectural splendor, combining French Renaissance and Baroque stucco, is complemented by 20th century Art Nouveau decor.

Once it was the best sanatorium of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city expanded, the areas affected by fires were built up, new hotels and clinics appeared. The horseshoe-shaped building of Cisaržské Lazne, reminiscent of a theater, was used for a practical purpose – the Zander halls with exercise machines for therapeutic exercises according to the Swedish method.

The underground passage leading to the peat storage was closed, the building was redesigned. In anticipation of restoration, it gradually fell into disrepair. Today Cisaržské Lazne is a museum whose expositions tell about the development of the Karlovy Vary region. The foyer was decorated with statues and paintings, the building is listed as a cultural monument of national importance.

people's house

The resort town itself is very beautiful, but there are several buildings that stand out from the crowd with their splendor and memorable history. One of them is the People's House on Franz Josef Street in the northern part. Pivatization and long-term operation of the building without major repairs led to partial decay. Today, the reconstruction is being completed.

The Art Nouveau house-hotel was completed in 1901, the work was carried out under the supervision of the head of the construction department, engineer E. Horta. This is the brainchild of the architectural geniuses F. Felner and G. Gelmer. Before the reconstruction, for some time there was a popular variety show “Orpheum”, known outside the Czech Republic.

The hotel has long served as a social and cultural center, among the shopping districts and hotels crowded with guests. For some time a rifle corps was stationed here. In this room there were 4 restaurants, several summer cafes, a concert stage and a hall for balls. Many touring artists performed at its venues. Today it is the Grand Hotel Ambassador Národní Dum.

city market

People go to the Czech Republic not only to get acquainted with the sights, but also for shopping. Not far from the station there is a building of the former city market, where you should take a walk from the center. It was built in 1912-1913 to streamline the sale of consumer goods. Prior to this, trading floors were scattered, which is inconvenient for citizens and vacationers. By the decision of the city authorities, the construction of a new market was started, located closer to the pump rooms with healing springs.

An important condition is sanitary supervision over the quality of products brought from slaughterhouses and other places. City architect F. Drobny proposed a project for a city market, it was built of glass and concrete. In addition to trade pavilions, offices, warehouses, a laboratory and cold stores are provided. In the early 90s of the twentieth century, this architectural monument was repurposed as a supermarket, today it is a modern supermarket.

The Czech Republic has always been famous for memorable souvenirs that vacationers brought after a productive treatment with mineral waters. They can be purchased at specialized points and at the Burza flea market. Excellent shopping at moderate European prices is what attracts many connoisseurs of holidays in the provincial cities of Europe. For shoes, it is better to go to the Bat'a store (a large selection of high-quality models at reasonable prices). The famous Czech beer and Becherovka, popular brands and handicrafts – all this is offered by the Czech Republic.

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