268 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp288–91 and pp292–5

architects Ferdinand Fellner

and Hermann Helmer, who

designed many theatre build-

ings all over Europe. It is

worth stepping inside to

see the grand interior decor,

which includes paintings by

Gustav Klimt, his brother

Ernst and Franz Matsche. A

collective work of all three

19th-century artists is the

stage curtain, on which they

painted their joint self-portrait.

Follow ing many years of

reconstruc tion, the theatre

was opened again in 1999.

R Church of St Mary

Magdalene

Kostelní náměstí.

Dating from 1732, and

among the best work of

the Bohemian architect

Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer,

this church (Kostel sv Máří

Magdalény) is one of the

finest examples of Baroque

architecture in the region.

The single-aisled church

with an oval floor plan has

an impressively spacious

interior with fine decor.

The high altar features an

image of Mary Magdalene

from 1752. It is flanked

by Jakob Eberle’s

1759 sculp tures of

Saints Augustine,

Jerome, Peter and Paul.

It is also worth taking

a closer look at the

lavishly decorated

side altars, the

dome and the

splen did gal leries

high up. The

wavy façade

of the church,

with two towers, features

a semi-circular stairway.

P Market Colonnade

Lázeňská. Tel 353 362 100.

This lovely white wooden

colonnade (Tržni kolonáda),

designed in Swiss style by

architects Ferdinand Fellner

and Hermann Helmer,

was built between 1883

and 1884 on the site of a

former Town Hall, which

was demo lished in 1879.

The colonnade contains

two springs. Between 1991

and 1992 it underwent a

thorough reconstruction,

although it has retained

its original appearance.

region’s history and its natural

environment; also on display

are glass and porce lain items

and handicrafts. Besides per-

manent displays, there are also

topical exhibit ions organ-

ized throughout the year.

F Karlovy Vary

Theatre

Divadelni náměstí 21.

Tel 353 225 801.

The Karlovy Vary

Theatre (Městské

divadlo), built

between 1884 and

1886, is the work

of Viennese

P Imperial Baths
Mariánskolázeňska 2.
The Imperial Baths (Císařské
lázně), looking more like a
theatre than a medi cal estab-
lishment, was once the most
opulent struc ture in Karlovy
Vary. Built between 1892 and
1895, it features a Neo-
Renaissance façade and
Art Nouveau decorations.

E Karlovy Vary Museum
Nová louka 23. Tel 353 226 252.

9am–noon, 1–5pm Wed–Sun. &

The museum (Karlovarské
Muzeum), established in 1853,
has collections relating to the

World famous for its mineral springs, the town of
Karlovy Vary was founded by Charles IV in the mid-
14th century. Legend has it that he discovered it when
his dog fell into a hot spring (vary means “hot spring”)
when out hunting. Since the 18th century, the rich and
the famous have flocked here to take the waters. All
the springs, the historic colonnades and architectural
sights are located along the Teplá river. The town is
also known for its porcelain and for Moser glassware.

Karlovy Vary 6

Detail above Karlovy Vary

Theatre entrance

The lovely wooden Market Colonnade and Castle Tower

SPA RESORTS

Clustered in the western part of the country, spa resorts

began to emerge and flourish in the 18th century. Crowds

of patients and prominent figures visited spas, initially to

take medicinal baths, and later to drink spring waters in

truly exclusive company and opulent surroundings. During

the Communist era, spa

cures were open to all

who needed them, and

spa treatments remain

popular in the Czech

Republic today. The spa

towns continue to attract

numer ous German, Austrian

and Russian visitors, and

during the past 20 years

many have been restored

Karlovy Vary in 1891 to their former glory.