Back to introduction

Spa

There are a number of mineral springs on the Czech territory, which have been used for medicinal purposes since the early 15th century. Czech spa towns are invariably located in picturesque natural landscapes and are attractive for both their urbanistic layout and their specific spa architecture. Some spa houses even boast elaborate original furnishings.


A brief look at the history of spas:
Their development at the end of the 18th century coincides with major strides in science, technology and social communication.

Large spa houses were being built along with colonnades and decorative structures above and around the springs. The spa towns began to adopt a systematic approach to their architectural planning and strive for a unified appearance. Much attention was devoted to the mineral springs themselves, with geological probes and chemical analyses of the waters’ contents performed; this was a very dynamic era. Tough competition became the hallmark of the spa industry, while the local spa entrepreneurs thrived.

Czech spas were frequented by a highly sophisticated clientele. To this day, the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Teplice pride themselves on the visits by Czar Peter the Great, King Edward VII of England, or Albrecht of Wallenstein, a famous general and politician. Frequent spa guests were also such giants of European culture as Goethe, Schiller, Chopin, Beethoven, and Wagner. And, lest we should forget, a large number of visitors consisted of prominent aristocrats, industrialists, businessmen and bankers...


The 18th century was the period of birth and development of the spa industry; but it was the 19th century in which the spas truly flourished. The spa complexes were expanded and modernized; a number of new treatment methods were introduced. Spa procedures became specialized, and the Czech spa industry gained renown for its medical efficiency. Spa stays were no longer considered just a form of treatment – they became a hallmark of social status. Spa towns have developed into centers of social and cultural life and magnets for tourism. After Prague, they were the second most visited destination in the country.
The last decade of the past century opened up new horizons to Czech spas. Lifestyle changes dictated the expansion of spa programs to include new forms of relaxation and regeneration, beauty stays and stress-reducing programs. These are all perfectly complemented by a range of sports and fitness activities such as golf, cycling, hiking and walking, tennis, gym routines and other activities. Expanded spa programs are offered by no fewer than 40 spa towns in the Czech Republic.

..and where to go if you´ve got some difficulties?

Bertiny lazne Trebon (Berta’s Spa in Trebon)

Besides the primary therapeutic procedures based on combining bog baths and wraps with classic massages (two hand), Berta’s spa also exploits a large range of hydrotherapeutic procedures, such as underwater whirlpools and pearl baths, massages, bath additions, whirlpools for legs and arms and varied foot baths in the so-called Kneipp’s foot-path. Exploiting laser technique, electrotherapy, paraffin body wraps, and gas injections also belong among modern therapeutic procedures.
One part of the newly built spa hydropathic area is a multi-purpose rehabilitation swimming pool with massage effects. Besides the swimming pool, a combined bath for eight persons is available, with underwater whirl and pearl massage. Classic sauna and a steam bath, including a cooling swimming pool, Sigoroll massage instrument for women and Hydrojet water bed for intensive massage of the whole body complement the harmonious and functional scope of the superstandard recovery and relaxation services of Berta’s spa available both to its clientele and general public.


Indications:
Painful conditions of spine and joints
Conditions after injuries and surgery
Conditions after artificial joint replacement
Arthritis
Rheumatic illnesses
Bechterev's disease
Gout and hypereuric syndrome
Painful conditions of soft tissues
Medical Treatment

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)

When the Czech King and Emperor Charles IV founded today’s Carlsbad, he could not know it would become a spa resort of worldwide repute.
The town was established in about the year 1350 by the Czech king and Emperor Charles IV. The year 1522 was a significant milestones in the development of Carlsbad’ s bath treatment. Today’s appearance of Carslbad was especially influenced by construction works at the end of the 19th century, having the seal of historicism and beginning Art Nouveau.

Thanks to warm curative springs, the fame of Carlsbad has spread worldwide. There are 12 springs located and used for drinking cure out of approximately 100 springs of various substantiality. Despite of being similar in the basic composition, mineral waters are of various temperatures and have different contents of carbonic acid gas and thus have various effects. The effect of cooler springs is usually lightly purgative; warmer springs have silencing effects - they slow down secretion of bile and gastric juice.




List of indications:
Ventricle and duodenum illnesses
Overweight
Locomotor system disorders – degenerative disorders of spine and big nasal joints
Metabolism disorders – diabetes mellitus, gout, disorders of adipose metabolism
Hepatic disorders
Special programme curing periodontosis
Disorder of pancreas
Disorders of gall-bladder and bilious tracts
Intestinal disorders
Conditions after oncological surgery without any relapse


Luhacovice

The quaint spa town of Luhacovice is situated in Southern Moravia, about 20 km from Zlin The Luhacovice Spa owes its fame to its more than 300-years-old tradition of spa treatment, the architectural charm of its buildings, its cultivated parks, the beauty of the surrounding countryside, and above all to its healing springs.

The best-known mineral springs rising on the territory of Luhacovice are Vincentka, Aloiska, Ottovka and the spring of Dr. Stastny, but other chloride and sodium hydrocarbonate acidulous spring waters and one sulphurous springs are used for treatment as well today. Within the Spa’s medical facilities treatment is offered based on the use of natural medicinal sources in combination with the most modern medical and rehabilitative methods. Apart from the treatment of those with specific ailments, Luhacovice Spa offers regenerative, rehabilitative and relaxing stays, as well as a host of other special programs.


Luhacovice offers its guests and visitors not only spa treatment and a stay in beautiful natural surroundings, but also the possibility of active relaxation, cultural and social activities. Luhacovice Spa provides its services year-round. The main spa season, however, begins May 1st and continues through September 30th.


Marianske lazne (Marienbad)

Medical treatment at Lecebne Lazne Marianske Lazne a.s. (Marianske Lazne Treatment Spa, joint stock company) has a long and famous tradition. Originally, patients were treated by physicians directly at the spa colonnade.

Today, experienced spa physicians – balneologists – work at their health resorts. One part of the medical treatment is a preliminary medical check-up determining relevant medical programme. The exploitation of natural medical sources of Marianske Lazne – mineral baths, gas baths and gas injections, is the priority of treatments. Physicians also carry out periodical and final check-ups. An important part of treatment is also urine and blood laboratory tests. Electrocardiographic check-ups are also available. Very important is also drinking treatment prescribed by a physician.


The fundamental credo is a return to the traditional medical treatment. Convenience, atmosphere at the spa, as well as individual care – visitors were used to all this in the period of the "golden age". All this and much more can be found in our magnificent town again. What makes Marianske Lazne Treatment Spa, joint stock company, different from any institution of a similar kind is especially:

- Return to the well-proven traditional spa treatment in its own medical centres, since only here the client is given complete treatment including maximal exploitation of curative springs of Marianske Lazne.
exploitation of its own curative springs
wide range of treatment procedures using local natural curative sources
individual approach to clients

List of indications:
Disorders of locomotor system, Arthritis with metabolic disorders, Vertebral algic syndrome (Back pain syndrome), Painful functional disorders of spine, conditions after injuries of locomotive system and orthopaedic surgery, Artificial joint replacements, Arthrisis in a non-inflammatory state, juvenile scoliosis, Disorders of kidneys and urinary tract, unspecified chronic inflammations of urinary tract, chronic pyelonefrities, conditions after kidney and urinary tract surgeries, conditions after kidney, transplantations, conditions after prostate surgeries, prostatitis, Unspecified disorders of respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis, chronic disorders of upper and lower respiratory tract, bronchial asthma, allergic illnesses of respiratory tract, conditions after upper and lower respiratory tract surgery, allergic rhinitis, Gynaecological disorders, inflammatory illnesses of internal female genitals, disorders of ovarian functions and development of uterus, conditions after gynaecological surgery and after surgeries in the area of pelvis, primary and secondary sterility, infertility, climacteric syndrome, Metabolical and Endocrinological disorders, obesity, gout constipation, non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II), hyperlipoproteinaemia, Oncological disorders, post-oncological treatment rehabilitations, Kidney and urine tract disorders of children aged 3 to 15, chronic inflammations of kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethrafunctional disorders, urolithiasis, conditions after kidney and urinary tract surgery, Gynaecological disorders of girls aged 3 to 18, conditions after inflammations in the area of pelvis, prevention of sterility and functional disorders as a result of abdominal surgery during childhood


Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzensbad)

For many years, Frantiskovy Lazne has had very good results in spa treatment of the so-called civilization diseases. They are caused especially by the lack of exercise, stress, unilateral stress of organism, as well as by many other risk factors. This results in heart diseases, diseases of blood circulation and diseases of locomotor system. Another significant group being cured in Frantiskovy Lazne with a hundred-year tradition is the treatment of gynaecological diseases.

Heart diseases and diseases of blood circulation

This involves ischaemic heart disease, conditions after myocardial infraction, disorders of high blood pressure, various diseases of limb vessels, conditions after surgery of heart disease, conditions after surgery of coronary arteries, conditions after heart inflammation.

Locomotor system disorders

This involves painful conditions of musculature, tendons and joint, pain in back, extra-articular rheumatism, arthrosis of big (knees, hooks) and small joints, vertebral (pain in back). Treatment combining exploitation of natural resources in Frantiskovy Lazne with therapeutical exercises, physiotherapy, and others, shows improvement of patients’ conditions and retreat of pains.

Gynaecological disorders including sterility

Spa treatment is available for patients suffering from inflammatory illnesses of internal female genitals and their sequels, for women after gynaecological surgery and surgeries near female organs, with disorders of ovarian functions and development of uterus. A well-known indication is sterility and infertility. Unpleasant climacteric problems as well as other functional disorders are also cured in Frantiskovy Lazne. Treatment of such disorders proceeds with help of natural bog, mineral springs and thermal gas. It is combined with special therapeutical exercises and other procedures.

A certain rarity of Frantiskovy Lazne spa, joint stock company, is the children’s gynaecological spa treatment. It is available for girls aged from 6 to 15 after surgeries near female organs or those suffering from diseases such as disorders of female genitals, periods or inflammatory processes of external and internal genitals. The treatment supports preventing sequels of these disorders at a matured age.


Podebrady

The history of Podebrady goes back to the primeval ages, far before the beginnings of the Czech state. A long distance trade route, aiming from Prague to the east of the Czech lands and then to Silesia and Poland, ran through the woody countryside full of rich system of river branches. This significant route crossed the River Elbe to the west from the present location of the town at a place called On the vineyard. A very old settlement and a small barrier fort were founded not far from the ford. It is likely that the location of the place reflects in the contemporary town’s name "pode brody" (under fords) - Podebrady.

The year 1905 became a historical milestone of the town’s existence when the German landowner von Bülow visited the prince Hohenlohe. This well-known waterfinder discovered a strong spring in the inner court, which was later drilled into 96.7 metres underground.

The discovery of mineral carbonic water resulted in the opening of the first spa season as early as 1908. After World War I, the town changed into a spa resort, and since 1926 the spa has specialized in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disorders. It has become well known in our country as well as abroad.

List of indications:

• Serious risk factors
• Functional disorders of peripheral vessels
• Conditions after surgery of heart diseases
• Conditions after vascular surgery
• Condition after acute carditis
• Heart diseases
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Conditions after myocardial infarction
• Ischaemic disorder after myocardial infarction
• Hypertensive disease
• Disorders of limb arteries
• Condtitions after thrombosis and thrombophlebitis
• Diabetes mellitus up to 6 months after detection
• Diabetes mellitus from 6 months on after detection
• Complicated diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Systematically cured allergic vertebral syndrome
• Conditions after rheumatic fever
• Treatment of patients with serious risk factors
• Conditions after acute carditis
• Chronic carditis
• Congenital and acquired heart disorders
• Conditions after surgery of circulatory system
• System and rheumatic and collagen diseases
• Serious neurociculatory asthenia
• Juvenile hypertension
• Disorders of peripheral vessels
• Obesity including other risk factors
• Hyperlipoproteinemie.
• Chronic disorders of joints and spine
• Conditions after injury and orthopaedic surgery
• Osteochondrosis of Morbus Perthes osteoporosis


Lazne Kynzvart (Konigswart)


The small town of Lazne Kynzvart is situated in the southwest of Slavkovsky les. It was established in the 13th century as a settlement near a frontier castle. In 1630, the Metternich family became the owner. They re-built the early baroque residence into a Neoclassical chateau in 1833. During the reign of the prince Metternich, it was a place of a number of important visits and negotiations. After many years of renovation work, the chateau as well as its unique collections are again open to the public.

The Metternich family took the initiative and established a local spa resort. In 1822, mineral springs started to be exploited for therapeutical purposes. Beside respiratory tract disorders, chronic intestinal diseases, rheumatism, gout, eczema, urinary tract disorders, gynaecological and neurological disorders used to be cured here. However, only adults were cured here. The year 1950 became a significant milestone in the spa’s history due to the start of curing children here instead of the adults. In the same year, a striking effect of the local climate on respiratory tract disorders during a whooping cough epidemic was discovered.

The significance of the spa resort consists, above all, in climatic conditions. Among the local medicinal sources are especially: climate and mineral waters.

Climatic conditions result from the location of the medical institution:

- submonatne area of 730 metres above the sea, above the bounds of ground mists
- the location of the resort on the east-western slop of Slavkovsky forest (insolation more intensive by 20-30 % owing to the east-western location) - high and permanent humidity given by the vicinity of varied woods
- ideally clear environment controlled by their own measurements (the highest possible concentration of carbon dioxide reaches 10 mg/ cubic m)

Mineral waters are a part of hot-spring acidulous waters within a wide hot-spring area of Marianske Lazne, yet what they have in common is only the deepwater resource of carbon dioxide. There are four springs used for water captation of the following brands of mineral water:
Table mineral water Richard
Medicinal mineral water Helena
Table mineral water Viktor
Mineral water Marie (is not collected)

The spa resort is intended for children aged from 2 to 15 let with unspecified respiratory tract disorders, from relapsing infections of upper respiratory tract to bronchial asthma and relapsing bronchopneumonia. In addition, all allergies along with skin disorders (eczematous diseases, ichthyosis and psoriasis) as independent disorders or as a part of dermorespiratory syndrome.

The indications stated in the list concern:
- respiratory tract disorders XXV 1 - 11
- skin disorders XXX 1, 2, 5, 6

Patients are enrolled after a Proposal for spa treatment submitted by a physician and approved by an auditing physician of a relevant health insurance company. Both overall and contributory spa treatments are provided. Concerning the overall treatment, patients’ treatment, accommodation and boards, are wholly covered by the relevant health insurance company (they are also provided for an approved accompaniment, accommodation and board for the accompaniment). Concerning the contributory treatment, the health insurance company covers only treatment of children. The family itself ensures its lodgings, board is available in the resort at its own expenses. Children’s spa treatment is available for patients of all health insurance companies based on closed contracts.

A skilled personnel takes care of the children 24 hours a day, including medical care. It is not possible to neglect schooling. Children study the main subjects and foreign languages from 2 to 3 hours a day. Teachers from the spa school are in permanent touch with schools to ensure the follow-up of school teaching.


Karlova Studanka

Karlova Studanka, a climatic spa mountain holiday resort, is situated in 800 metres above sea level in protected regional area of the Jeseniky mountains, at the foot of Praded (1492 m), the highest mountain of Moravia and the Jeseniky mountains in the valley of the River Bila Opava.

For more than 200 years, Karlova Studanka spa has served as a special medical institution for respiratory tract disorders and diseases, exploiting the fresh mountain climate and remedial springs for their treatments. Concerning the recreational function, Karlova Studanka is a part of a very attractive holiday region of nationwide significance. It is a starting point (both in summer and winter) for hikers exploring the precincts, holiday residences, and also the high parts – Ovcarna, Petrovy kameny (Peter’s stones), Praded, and the main edge of the Jeseniky mountains.
The architectural character of historical spa buildings did not change during the post-war years. Owing to this, Karlova Studanka has kept an unrepeatable atmosphere of the last century up to the present day.

At the moment, many of the buildings in the spa resort are being reconstructed and modernized, under a strict compliance with the original character of the town and the spa resort.

The list of indications (according to the ordinance of the Ministry of Health No.58/1997 CL.):
I/1 – oncology cases after completing an overall treatment without any signs of relapse
II/7 – hypertensive disease (levels I – III according to SZO)
II/10 – function disorders of peripheral vessels
V/1 – conditions after upper and lower respiratory tract surgery
V/2 - hypertrophic or atrophic inflammations of upper respiratory tract, irradiated in systematic professional treatment, chronic sinusitis and sinubronchitis, systematically cured
V/3 – disorders of larynx and vocal cords due to vocal overburden (teachers, priests, etc.)
V/4 – allergic catarrh proved by allergologic treatment in systematic treatment
V/5 – conditions after repeated or complicated pneumonia
V/6 – chronic bronchitis in systematic treatment, including mucopurulent and bronchiectasis, relapsing inflammations of lower respiratory tracts, and chronic inflammation of lower respiratory tract with a risk of fibrogene dust with pulmonary function disorder
V/7 – obstructive chronic bronchitis
V/8 - asthma bronchiale of all levels and professional aetiology
V/9 – interstitial pulmonary fibrosis of any aetiology in a long term treatment, including pneumoconiosis of all stages
V/10 – effects of harm, as the cause may be toxic gas, fumes, blister fumes, and excitable dust and their effects on upper and lower respiratory tracts

Treatment procedures:
Climatic treatment in natural curative environment, inhalation, physical and locomotor therapy, balneotherapy (natural carbonic baths, peat wraps), underwater massages, treadles, classic and reflective massages, manual and instrument lymphatic drainage, steam bath, whirlpools, electrotherapy, scan, diathermy, gas injections and others. Motion therapy consists of therapeutic gymnastics, exercises of spine and other rehabilitative methods, including yoga or fitness centre. Sulphury baths and paraffinic wraps are used for treatment of spinal a arthritic problems.