• Mineral waters (including thermal waters)
• Gases (s.c. spring gases, usually accompanying mineral waters in volcanic-active areas)
• Peloids, i.e. inorganic bogs (peat bogs, swamps etc.)
• Climatic conditions of a locality.

There are 36 spa localities in the Czech Republic, ranging from world-known spas like Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, and Jáchymov to very small health resorts like Vráž, Bohdaneč, Klimkovice etc. Most of these health resorts are based on so-called natural curative resources but 6 of them are based just on the climatic conditions of their areas – climatotherapy spas like Jeseník, Karlova Studánka, Kynžvart, Mariánské Lázně etc. 

Mineral Water Criteria

By Czech law, natural healing mineral water is water from springs or wells containing significant inorganic matter:

• Total dissolved solids > 1000 mg.l-1 or
• Dissolved CO2 (>1000 mg.l-1) or 
• Temperature (>20°C) or
• Radioactivity (>1 500 Bq.l-1) or 
• Content of some important particles e.g. H2S (2 mg.l-1 of S), Fe, As, I, F, H2SiO3 (70 mg.l-1) etc.

Thermal springs of Karlovy Vary/Carlsbad

In Karlovy Vary, thermal water has been springing from the bottom of the Teplá River’s narrow valley since time immemorial. Traditions of the Karlsbad spa business, more than 600 years old, have based on the medicinal strengths of the springs. 

The area of spa town Karlsbad belongs to the Ore Mountains geological region in the western part of Bohemian Massif. From the hydrogeological point of view, the thermal springs of Karlsbad are associated with the s.c. Rosiwal spring zone, is a very special tectonic zone with a length of about 1700 m and a width of 150 m, extending in the direction NNW-SSE, with an inclination of 70° to 80° to SW. The outflows of thermal springs (as a mechanical mixture of hot water and gas, in the ratio of 1 : 3, the effect of supersaturation) are determinate with the crossing of the Rosiwal zone with other tectonic faults in the prevailing E-W and N-S directions. The tectonic disturbance of granite massif dates from the Variscan orogeny and revived during the Saxonian time. The depth of the origin of thermal water is estimated to be 2 – 3 km. 

It is not only the temperature and gas distribution that features in the Karlsbad springs, it is also the unique and extremely favourable chemical composition. The origin of all springs is alike, therefore, the chemical and overall mineralization of each of them is analogous. The composition of the water is well-known since the 18th Century (Becher, 1772); it is a Na-HCO3-SO4-Cl type, with 6,5 to 6,8 g/l of dissolved mineral salts, with the temperature depending on the distance from the centre of ascend zone of the structure, 73,4° (as a maximum) to 39°C, with an exception of the border areas to the south and to the north, too. The thermal mineral water gushing rate is 2 000 l/min, which is an amount sufficient to supply all the spa treatment facilities and the famous fountain itself. So-called small Karlsbad springs are only natural offshoots turning from the main stem close to the surface ground. Very interesting is the different content of trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, As, V, Li, F etc.) with pharmacodynamical effects in each of the springs. Consequently, the physical and chemical characteristics of each of them are different, and the spa physicians are thus given a chance to mark out the drinking cure for individual patients as appropriate and with a view of the nature of their disease.

The protection of Karlsbad Springs has had a long history since 1761 when the State Mining Bureau in the area of Karlsbad against coal mining made the first protection restrictions.

Unique healing Carlsbad mineral water affects locally on the lining of the digestive tube, increased digestive enzymes activity, and has a neutralizing effect on the normalization of gastric and intestine peristalsis, effect of choleretic and cholekinetic stimulation, stimulation of pancreatic juice, very important is the improvement of glucose utilization on the periphery of the body and decreased insulin resistance.

It is mainly used as a drinking cure for metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperuricemia, fatty metabolism disorders and gastroenterological diseases such as oesophagal, stomach, intestines inflammations, and fatty liver. One of the last monitoring of the Institute of Spa and Balneology v.v.i. in terms of EBM is the study of the positive effect on the stiffening of the liver after 3 weeks of drinking cure.

The combination of spa and Ayurveda has not only been an interesting experiment but also a successful innovation in Reitenberger Resort. A year ago, they decided to incorporate non-traditional Ayurvedic therapies into their service offerings in collaboration with two experienced therapists from Sri Lanka. Initially, they only offered five procedures, but soon realized that they were on the right path. Their guests embraced the changes with delight, and the expansion of their procedure menu, including exotic massages and therapies, became a welcomed addition to traditional spa care.

The integration of the spa and Ayurveda has brought a welcomed revitalization and improved perception of the resort.

The demand for their services has dramatically increased, leading them to expand the team of therapists. The resort now employs six therapists and two chefs specializing in Ayurvedic cuisine. Furthermore, they plan to welcome a doctor from the Philippines in the near future who will become another valuable team member. His arrival will allow the resort to launch an entirely new Ayurvedic care package with a comprehensive Ayurvedic retreat. The doctor from the Philippines will have primary responsibility for overseeing these retreats and ensuring the proper and effective composition of procedures. His expertise and experience will guarantee that guests achieve the desired effects from their stay. He will also be responsible for designing the optimal combination of procedures that complement each other, providing the utmost experience and results.

Incorporating Ayurvedic cuisine

The Ayurvedic retreat will also include an array of Ayurvedic cuisine. At Reitenberger Resort, they believe that authentic food will contribute to the overall experience and enjoyment of guests. Additionally, Ayurvedic food is renowned for its beneficial effects on digestion and vitality. The resort will ensure that each menu is balanced and tailored to the individual needs of the guests.

The integration of the spa and Ayurveda has brought a welcomed revitalization and improved perception of the resort, creating the ideal environment for relaxation, rejuvenation, and replenishment of energy. The feedback from the guests confirms this, so the management of the  Reitenberger Spa Medical Resort plan to continue developing and refining their services by further integrating the spa and Ayurveda.

Find out more about Reitenberger Spa Medical at Reitenberger Spa Medical.

European Spas Association invites Spa and health professionals to join the 27th Annual Congress. Congress will be organised in cooperation with the Region and the City of Karlovy Vary with its own Institute for Balneology and Scientific Studies, Czech Tourism and Czech Spa Association.

The programme will be structured in a way to deepen many aspects of health tourism in three sections with experts. 
1. Market research, trends, EU strategies, sales, and innovation in the field of sustainability 
2. Medical research and socio-economic factors 
3. Decisions and best examples of urban and regional development in spa towns

We are honoured to present the first speakers and topics:
Jakub Hlávka, PhD, from Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics will talk about the interdisciplinary approach to advance economic, health services and policy research, for a new generation of global health policy leaders. Sven Aerts from European Commission will present a Long Covid Strategy & Funding. Daniel Fajkus, Falkensteiner Spa Resort Marianske Lazne about Cause instead of symptoms – a holistic approach to healing in Spas. Caroline Giraud from Banyan Tree will present a best practice case about the International brand on expansion – well-being and self-discovery with Banyan Tree’s Wellbeing Sanctuary….

The international (ESPA) section is focusing on the following four main topics:

• EU Health Policy
• Sales strategy and sales channels in the spa industry
• The best examples of entrepreneurship in the spa business – new trends, real-world examples
• Sustainability, effectiveness, and energy savings in the spa industry

The medical and scientific section gives experts insights into the topic:

• Objectification of the spa comprehensive treatment and new trend in the spa and balneology
• Post-covid syndrome  – treatment options in health spas
• Role of balneology in the Physical/Mental health prevention
• Environmental sciences in the spa regions
• Objectification of the spa comprehensive treatment and new trend in the spa and balneology

The Mayor’s Meeting, chaired by the Mayoress of Karlovy Vary Mrs. Andrea Pfeffer Ferklová, will exchange the best case in urban planning and regional development issues.

Stay tuned for more information!

We are revealing the venues…

The Get-together party on 4th October takes you to the Casino Royale film set. Feel like James Bond and be one of the first guests after a long renovation in the Emperor – Kaiserbad Spa. We are ready for action!
Lectures will be held on 5th October in Hotel Thermal, which is a modern 4* spa & congress hotel.
The evening highlight will be a traditional ESPA Innovation Award Ceremony with a Gala Dinner, taking place in the famous Grand Hotel Pupp, the iconic hotel and architectural jewel of Karlovy Vary.  The Grandhotel Pupp is a luxurious setting that has been a meeting place and entertainment venue and synonymous with first-class hospitality for more than three centuries. Get your Spa industry Award where the celebrities of Karlovy Vary Film Festival winners usually come in.

A preliminary programme will soon be announced on the congress website: https://europeanspas.eu/congress/
All information about the registration, accommodation and payments can be found at the website: https://live.eventtia.com/en/espa

In breathtaking valley cutting deeply into forested hills, dwells a fairy-tale town.

The most famous Czech spa, Karlovy Vary.

Fabulous town houses, impressive buildings of hotels and spa resorts. No matter if you are walking along the colonnades and sipping on the healing water from one of the Karlovy Vary springs or walking along a spa path on forested slopes, you are following in the footsteps of Goethe, Beethoven, Schiller, Wagner and Chopin. Whichever lookout tower you may be viewing the town from, Karlovy Vary will make a great impression on you.

This is so, because Karlovy Vary is a place where time simply does not matter. You will immerse yourself here in blissful tranquility and timelessness, you will breathe the same air as those who came here for treatment hundreds of years before you and in fact you yourself may not be certain which era you have left behind you to get into this enchanting spa.

And yet Karlovy Vary is also a modern town offering vibrant entertainment and providing excellent cultural opportunities. It is a place where you can go on a shopping spree, enjoy peaceful relaxation as well as indulge in some sporting activities and set out to explore several remarkable tourist destinations. To put it simply, Karlovy Vary is superb, unique, renowned, regal – and also obviously relieving and healing.

Natural Healing Resources

Hot mineral springs were known in this piece of land as early as the Middle Ages. Today there are 15 warm mineral springs producing water with properties especially suitable for drinking, bathing and irrigation. They are of a similar composition but owing to the varied temperature and CO2 content their healing effects are quite different.

Main Points of Interests in Karlovy Vary

The town and the surrounding area offer countless opportunities for walks, trips as well as exploring and sightseeing. Most attention will deservedly be captured by the colonnades, mainly the most famous of them all, the Neo-Renaissance Mill Colonnade designed by the distinguished Czech architect Josef Zítek, who also participated in the construction of the National Theatre in Prague. You will also be fascinated by the Art Nouveau Chateau colonnade, a modern Hot Spring colonnade in front of which the powerful Carlsbad thermal spring with a capacity of two thousand litres per minute shoots up into the open area, or the Sadová colonnade, which is hidden under an iron construction.

Medical Conditions Treated in the Spa

It is very well-known that Karlovy Vary springs are beneficial in the treatment of digestive conditions – diseases of the stomach, oesophagus, intestines, gall bladder, liver, and pancreas, along with metabolic disorders – diabetes, obesity, gout, as well as musculoskeletal diseases and even periodontitis. Excellent results have been recorded in treatment of conditions after oncological and neurological diseases.

Set to be hosted in the Karlovy Vary conference centre, the event’s central topic will focus on the role of health and natural spas. In light of the recent pandemic, preserving good health has embraced a prominent role. At the same time, the recognition of natural health spas has increased as they help to preserve good health by providing prevention and rehabilitation programmes. An integral part of the expert content will focus on this topic, while the traditional SPA Mayors Programme will again see mayors of spa destinations convene.

The main topics of the congress will relate to challenges faced in tourism, particularly spa tourism, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, ESPA Congress 2023 will delve into sustainability, digitalisation and education in Balneotherapy.

One of the highlights of the congress is the ESPA Innovation Award, fostering the development of tourist destinations and individual providers, such as spa resorts, hotels and wellness centres. The award facilitates the improvement of services and encourages recipients to strive for excellence. Further information regarding the award is available at:

Concurrently with the ESPA Congress, the ESPA – SPA-CE B2B tradeshow will also take place. Representatives of spa destinations in Central Europe will meet with representatives of tourist agencies specialising in health and wellness tourism.

The ESPA Congress will give attendees the opportunity to meet the legendary spa destination that proudly boasts 13 mineral springs. Mineral springs in Karlovy Vary are known worldwide for their healing mineral properties, while spa resorts in Karlovy Vary specialise in healing various diseases. Thermal water ranging from 37 to 72 degrees Celsius is rich with lithium, iron, potassium, magnesium and sulphur.

The ESPA Congress 2023 will be organised in cooperation with the following partners: Region Karlovy Vary, the City of Karlovy Vary, the Czech Tourist Board and the Czech Healing Spa Association (SLL). The Czech Healing Spa Association was established in 1995 as a professional association of spa resorts with the purpose of maintaining and guaranteeing the high healing quality level of spa resorts. Currently, it brings together 42 members – health spas – which account for more than two-thirds of all spa beds in the country.