Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:"I will go to Karlovy Vary in any case again. I am indebted to it for quite a different existence of mine".

When the Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV founded Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary), he cannot have known that this spa town would become world famous one day.

Karlovy Vary reached the pinnacle of its renown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was then that the town acquired the greater part of its unique architecture, which has existed in harmony with the surrounding scenery to this very day. It nestles in a beautiful location in the valley of the Tepla River. The appearance of the town, and the facilities offered by its spa houses, restaurants and shops, improves every year. There are now more cultural events for foreign visitors to the town as well.

Karlovy Vary is one of the most cosmopolitan spa towns on Earth. The number of visitors from abroad now exceeds the number of Czech visitors. There are people who have returned to Karlovy Vary to take the curative waters more than fifty times.

With its long traditions, its beauty and fame, Karlovy Vary continues to attract the rich and famous. The International Film Festival, held at the beginning of July each year, has brought such world-famous stars to the town as Philippe Noiret, Branco Lustig, John Schlesinger, Leonardo di Caprio, Max von Sydow, Mia Farrow, Brit Ekland, Maruschka Demeters, Gina Lollobrigida, Gregory Peck, Pierre Richard, Alan Alda, Julia Ormond, Whoopi Goldberg - to name but a few!

Other prominent visitors in recent years have included Jean de Luxembourg - the Grand Duke of Luxembourg with his wife and the minister of foreign affairs, Veysel Atasov - the Malaysian minister of industry, Her Majesty Princess Sayako - the daughter of the Japanese Emperor and Shankar Dayal Sarma - the president of India. Karlovy Vary is also visited by about 300 foreign journalists every year.

The cultural and social life of Karlovy Vary is an integral part of the spa experience. The town has a theatre, and the Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1835, ranks among the oldest orchestras in Europe. The diversions on offer for visitors include lectures on health, concerts, literary-musical evenings, film shows and dances. The spa town offers opportunities for tennis, golf and other sports. More than 70 artists live, work and draw inspiration from our town.

The famous thermal waters of Karlovy Vary contain almost all the minerals needed for good health. The waters are said to cure inflammation and digestive disorders, boost immunity, and aid the liver in detoxifying the body. The waters are used for drinking, bathing, douches and washouts and gum massage. The gases from the thermal springs are also used.

Twelve of the almost one hundred mineral springs in Karlovy Vary are used for drinking. Their basic compositions are similar, but with different temperatures and carbon dioxide levels their effects also differ. The colder springs are usually considered to have a slightly purgative effect while the warmer ones slow the production of bile and stomach juices.

Spa treatment is used for disorders of the digestive system, metabolic disorders, and problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, liver and gall-bladder. It is also considered helpful in treating obesity, as well as muscle, bone and