Karlovy Vary

We took the train to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) to see what this spa town was all about. Turns out to be a nice place! There are twelve natural mineral springs that have been tapped and now people come from all over Europe to drink the water. Do not be decieved: they all taste like strangely like sulfer and not at all good, but it is fun to drink them. Supposedly the water helps with digestion and people who have stomach problems are sometimes even written prescriptions by their doctors to drink the waters. And to add to the mineral taste, the water ranges from warm to hot!


Sampling the 11th spring!


A close-up of one of the springs.


The springs come up beneath the river that runs through town, creating a misty look at all times.


Karlovy Vary is, of course, a Czech-speaking city. But the second most common language is Russian. According to most people we talked to, the Russian mafia controls many of the hotels, spas, and buildings in Karlovy Vary. Here is an example of the architecture that apparently is funded by Russian money.


Karlovy Vary has a legendary past: According to the stories King (Emperor) Charles was hunting in the area and one of his best hunting dogs fell into a hole in the ground that turned out to be one of the hot springs. Although the dog suffered a tragic fate, the discovery of the springs prompted a town to be founded so that the nobles could visit and enjoy the healthy effects of the waters. We went for a walk on a leave-covered trail near the old city center.




At night the steam looks even more mysterious.