Konstantinovy Lazne
Konstantinovy Lazne resort (Konstantinovy Lázně) is located in the west of the Czech Republic, 130 kilometers from Prague and 60 kilometers from Karlovy Vary. Perhaps the main advantages of the resort are its remoteness from noisy cities and picturesque nature, which offers a cozy and quiet rest. Konstantinovy Lazne is located at an altitude of 520 meters above sea level and is surrounded on all sides by forests, and for many tens of kilometers there is not a single industrial enterprise, so even breathing with local air is a medical procedure. Local spa hotels specialize in the treatment of the cardiovascular system, and the main source of health are mineral water springs saturated with hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, iron, magnesium, sodium and other useful mineral substances and gases.
History of Konstantinovy Lazne
For the first time, a mineral water spring saturated with hydrogen sulfide was discovered on the territory of modern Konstantinovy Lazne in the 16th century. The first semblance of a medical institution was opened in 1803 year by local peasants: it was a building with 22 rooms and 5 individual bathtubs. The turning point in the history of the resort was the acquisition of this impromptu spa complex by Prince Konstantin of Levenshtein in 1837 year. It is rather ironic that the land was acquired not so much for the development of the resort business as for the search for coal deposits, because scientists of that era believed that if there are mineral water springs, then mineral deposits should be nearby.
It is not surprising that Prince Konstantin did not find any coal, but he clearly realized the resort potential of the region and directed his efforts to the development of a health resort. At the expense of the prince, new buildings were built, the area around the spring was ennobled by a park, qualified doctors were recruited, and they began to intensively study the healing properties of local water. As you might have guessed, it was in honor of the prince that the resort was named, the baths of Konstantin, or in the German manner - Konstantinsbad. In 1872 year, Lazne was resold to Dr. Franz Josef Pankraz, who, with his wife Sofia and son Otmar, contributed to the further development of Konstantinov Lazne: a railroad from the capital was built into the city, new villas and hotels were built, and after the First World War they conduct electricity in the village, laid water pipes, built pools and even a cinema. Today we can say that Konstantinovy Lazne is a resort widely known in narrow circles. It is not at all heard, like Karlovy Vary or Marianske Lazne, but the conditions for relaxation and treatment here at the highest level.
Attractions of Konstantinovy Lazne
Konstantinovy Lazne is a small town, its area barely exceeds 20 km2, so there is no need to talk about the abundance of architectural or historical sights. But natural beauties more than compensate for the lack of interesting places. The city is surrounded on almost all sides by the ecologically clean Slavkov forest, offering guests more than 80 kilometers of hiking trails. Many spa hotels organize walking tours, including with English-speaking guides, but if you prefer independent trips, you will not lose much. On the same trails you can ride a rented bike - so you can quickly get to the ruins of ancient castles and palaces.
At the reception of your hotel, take a booklet with a tourist map of the surroundings and go on excursions to the ruined castles of Krasikov, Gutshtein, Falkenshtein. A little further there are castles in Bezdruzhitsy and Matenin, monasteries in Kladruby and Tepla, the nature reserve Kladskie peat bogs. We focus on the castle in Bezdruzhitsy, as one of the most beautiful and vivid examples of Renaissance architecture in the west of the Czech Republic. There you will find the famous canvas made on glass and depicting the scene of the birth of Christ. The Matenin Castle is a beautiful Baroque building, close to which there are two more sights: Stříbro - a dilapidated city wall with a very beautiful tower and a 13th-century Franciscan monastery with a museum dedicated to local silver mines and lead mining.
Your holiday in Konstantinovy Lazne may coincide in time with one of the annual events. At the end of May, a beautiful opening ceremony of the holiday season is held, accompanied by a concert and the consecration of mineral springs. In July, Konstantinovy Lazne accepts the "Masons Symposium", and in August, a congress of woodcarvers. It may not sound very tempting, but it’s definitely worth taking a couple of hours to familiarize yourself with the skills perfected to perfection. Fans of outdoor activities can try their hand at Nordic walking (which, by the way, the World Cup is held here), football, volleyball, tennis and ping-pong, mini-golf, curling or petanque, it is interesting to wander around the mushroom places with a basket - for all this the conditions in Konstantinovy Lazne are simply excellent. And, of course, do not forget to taste and buy home a bottle of "Konstantin" branded herbal liquor.