Built in 1881, it measures 132 meters in length and boasts 124 Corinthian columns supporting a roof under which there are five springs and numerous sculptures, including 12 along the rooftop balustrades representing the months of the year (there's even an orchestra pit). One of the most attractive is the Mill Colonnade.

The connection to the town's copious hot springs is especially apparent in its many splendid colonnades. References to Karlovy Vary's stature as a leading European spa destination are everywhere. Hot Springs and Colonnades Hot Springs and Colonnades Plan your trip with our list of the top things to do in Karlovy Vary.ġ. One of the top events here is the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, one of the longest running such events in Europe. It's also a cultural hot spot boasting a performing arts center, art galleries, and a number of museums. The city's spa-influenced architecture is another big draw, with many beautiful examples of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main attraction is undoubtedly Karlovy Vary's superb hot springs, which literally burst into the Tepla River as it flows through the city, with tremendous jets of water shooting upward to heights of up to 14 meters, shrouding the riverbanks in a seemingly constant cloud of steam.Īll told, the city boasts 13 main springs (and up to 300 smaller ones), with numerous opportunities for visitors to steam, soak, and drink the waters for its many curative attributes. Founded in 1358, the town has welcomed such illustrious visitors as Peter the Great, Beethoven, Chopin, Schiller, Karl Marx, and Goethe. Still commonly referred to by its German name, Karlsbad (or Carlsbad), the spa resort town of Karlovy Vary is rich with history and well worth adding to any Czech Republic travel itinerary.

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