Mariánské Lázně is the second largest Czech spa, which is very rich in mineral springs. There are forty springs within the area and one hundred in the immediate vicinity. The land consisting of today's spa belonged to the Premonstrate Monastery of Teplá, whose abbot K. K. Reitenberger launched the construction of the original baths early in the 19th century, as envisioned by the monastery doctor J. J Nehr. According to the grandiose designs of the architect V. Skalník, terrain transformations were carried out, and parks were created. Today these, together with the numerous springs, represent the essential features of the town. In 1866, Mariánské Lázně was declared a city and by the beginning of the 20th century ranked among the most important spa centers in Europe. 
 
The pseudo-Baroque cast-iron Colonnade from 1889 is the main promenade of the spa and an important architectural monument. The water from the Cross, Caroline's and Rudolph's Springs is piped to the Colonnade for the drinking cures. The Singing Fountain, located in front of the Colonnade, also captures the attention of visitors. The Ferdinand's, Forest and Ambrose's Springs are among the best known springs in Mariánské Lázně. 
 
The spa pavilions were mostly built in the classicist and neo-Renaissance style, while most of the buildings in the spa district of the town bear the imprints of the Art Nouveau style. The Church of the Assumption rises next to the Colonnade. The Russian Church of St. Vladimir and the Anglican Church are located behind the Main Avenue, in the western part of the town.

Curiosity: The Singing Fountain in front of the main colonnade performs every odd hour to the accompaniment of music, and at 9 and 10 p.m. with a light show.

Mariánské Lázně is a relatively young spa town, developed at the beginning of the 19th century in a valley where several excellent healing streams spring from the ground, though its inhabitants were aware of the springs as early as the 1200s. In 1528, King Ferdinand ordered these springs to be examined for salt content. By the end of the 18th century, the prelate of the Teplá Monastery, Dr. Jan Josef Nehr, had begun a systematic examination of their curative effects. In 1805, he founded the first brick house for spa guests near the Cross Spring called "The Golden Globe", built at the site of a former wooden cabin.

The number of visitors increased rapidly and a building boom started. It was not long before a settlement was established on the estates of the Teplá Monastery, and named Mariánské Lázně  in honor of the Virgin Mary, whose picture hung near the Cross Spring. In 1818 it was declared a public spa. The spa town boomed in the early 1820s. Between 1817 and 1823, three noted citizens - horticulturist Václav Skalník, architect Jiří Fischer and builder Anton Turner, financially supported by the abbot Karel Kašpar Reitenberg, turned this inhospitable and marshy valley into a beautiful park city featuring neoclassical houses, pergolas, pavilions and colonnades. The inspired city landscape designed by Václav Skalník has been, for the greater part, preserved until today. Numerous cultural, scientific and political personalities came from all over the world to visit Mariánské Lázně, notably Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Prince Friedrich of Saxony, Earl Kašpar Šternberk, Joens Jakob Berzelius, Václav Jan Tomášek, and Marie Szymanowská.

The number of visitors did not abate in the following years, and the fame of the spa spread quickly. In 1865, Mariánské Lázně was declared a city. Various international celebrities visited the city during those days, such as F. Chopin, R. Wagner, and A. Bruckner.

Between 1870 and 1914, Mariánské Lázně reveled in its Golden Age, reflected today in its numerous reconstructed and newly built Art Nouveau spa houses, hotels, colonnades and churches, designed by architects such as Friedrich Zickler, Josef Schaffer, Arnold Heymann and Josef Forberich. Parks were enlarged, and romantic lookout points were created. In 1872, the city was connected by railway with Cheb, Vienna and Prague through Plzeň and in 1898 with Karlovy Vary. During this period, many more luminaries came to visit Mariánské Lázně: G. Mahler, F. Nietzsche, F. Kafka, R. Kipling, M. Twain, T. A. Edison, P. de Coubertin, the English king Edward VII, the Russian Czar Nicholas II, and Emperor Franz Joseph II.

The spa life remained active through the first half of the 20th century. Famous people were still drawn to Mariánské Lázně, such as T. G. Masaryk and E. Beneš. The city's connection with the world was extended when a new airport was built in nearby Skláře in 1927.

During the Second World War Mariánské Lázně became a hospital town. In the years immediately following the Second World War, the city started to develop again. The first residential neighborhoods and recreation complexes were built. In 1952, a new environment-friendly trolley-bus service was introduced. Regardless, the city still maintains its extraordinary and unique spa and tourist character. Approximately 40,000 visitors come to Mariánské Lázně each summer season.

The ongoing efforts to restore the original city character, its architecture, parks and its overall atmosphere have been in progress since 1990.

Marianske Lazne has an abundance of natural curative sources, beautiful environment and surroundings, clear and healthy air, large areas of parks and gardens. It is no wonder that foreign visitors gave Marianske Lazne the nickname ”Forrest Riviera”. It is no wonder that many return frequently.  

Indications

The range of diseases treated in Mariánské Lázně, unlike other spas, is very wide thanks to the diverse chemical composition of the mineral springs.

Diseases treated in Mariánské Lázně:

• kidney and urinary tract diseases,
• nerve disorders, organic nerve diseases,
• disorders of the digestive system,
• metabolic diseases and disorders of the endocrine system,
• diseases of the respiratory tract,
• skin diseases,
• diseases of the locomotive system.

 

Spa Procedures 

Drinking Cures 
The amount of mineral water prescribed per patient varies according to the diagnoses and the patient's health condition, usually about 750 ml daily in several doses. Patients suffering from bladder stones and chronic inflammations of the urinary tract are advised to increase their water intake - which is also an important prevention factor - and to bring this habit home with them. Nevertheless, only a small amount of acidulous water from Mariánské Lázně is drunk or bottled; the greater part of it is used for the carbon dioxide baths. 
 
Carbon Dioxide Baths 
Special bathtubs are used for the carbon dioxide baths since the minerals cause considerable corrosion. The approximate temperature of the water is 32 – 36 °C. Carbon dioxide is absorbed through the skin and dilates the blood vessels, which has a positive influence on the cardiovascular system and reduces peripheral vascular resistance. The carbon dioxide baths are prescribed to treat kidney diseases, vegetative dystonia, cardiovascular diseases and others. The baths have a favorable effect on the body and blood circulation. They thus form an integral part of the hydrotherapy applied in Mariánské Lázně. 
 
Gas Baths  
The carbon dioxide from Mary's Spring is used for the gas baths. This gas consists of CO2 (99 %), inert gases and H2S. When taking a gas bath, the patient is immersed in the spring gas, which is then absorbed through the skin. Unlike in classical baths, the patient is not exposed to hydrostatic pressure.

Gas Injections 
CO2 gas injections (also called insulfations) are used to treat, among other things, various types of skin diseases. Gas injections began to be regularly applied in Mariánské Lázně after the Second World War.

Peat and Mud Baths and Packs  
Peat and mud are traditional natural medical resources. After being warmed up, the natural peat or mud is applied in the form of a pack or wrap. The peat used to be collected directly from Mary's Spring.