Karlsbad

Karlovy Vary or Carlsbad is a spa town situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately 130km west of Prague (Praha). It is named after Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, who founded the city in 1370. It is historically famous for its hot springs (13 main springs, about 300 smaller springs, and the warm-water Teplá River). It is the most visited spa town in the Czech Republic.HistoryAn ancient late Bronze Age fortified settlement was found in Drahovice. A Slavic settlement in on the site of Karlovy Vary is documented by findings in Tašovice and Sedlec. People lived in the close proximity the site as far back as the 13th century and they must have been aware of the curative effects of close thermal springs.Around 1350, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor organized an expedition into the forests surrounding modern-day Karlovy Vary during a stay in Loket. On the site of a spring, he established a spa called the Horké Lázně u Lokte (Hot Spas at Loket). The location was subsequently named in German "Carlsbad" after him once he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs, at least according to legend. Charles IV granted the town privileges on 14 August 1370. Earlier settlements can be also found in the outskirts of today's town.