Well cared-for parks, amazing architecture, well-preserved heritage spots, the beauty of the surrounding countryside and its glorious past make Mariánské Lázně a true centre of culture and society. Don’t miss out on its most important, interesting sights.
The healing effects of the springs in the area around what is now Mariánské Lázně were known as far back as the Middle Ages. Mariánské Lázně came into being as a separate town in 1812. On 6 November 1818 Mariánské Lázně was declared a “public spa”. From 1817-1823 gardener Václav Skalník, architect Jiří Fischer and builder Anton Thurner created, with financial assistance from the monastery in the nearby town of Teplá, an attractive park complex with houses in the Classicist and Empire styles, gazebos, pavilions and colonnades. In 1872 Mariánské Lázně was connected to the cities of Cheb, Vienna and Prague via Pilsen, and in 1898 with Karlovy Vary. At this time the town hosted many illustrious guests, including Gustav Mahler, Friedrich Nietzsche, Franz Kafka, Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Thomas Alva Edison, Pierre de Coubertin, King Edward VII of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor Franz Joseph I.
More than 160 acidic springs can be found in the area, 40 of which are located in Mariánské lázně itself. 16 springs have wells that are accessible to the public. Typologically the springs are classified as cold acidic springs, with an emergence temperature of 7 – 10 °C. The picturesque spa-town atmosphere is completed by the colonnades and summerhouses covering the individual springs.
The main spa colonnade is a historic monument of Bohemian spa culture and one of the symbols of Mariánské Lázně.
The Singing Fountain is one of the dominant features of Mariánské Lázně. It plays daily at every odd hour between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. with a projection and a colourful light show. The gala opening of the season takes place at 9 p.m. on 30 April every year, with operation ending at the end of October or start of November. The Singing Fountain is formed of a circular basin with a diameter of eighteen metres and twelve-part stone sculpture in the form of a stylised flower, the central part of which is made from polished steel. The fountain as a whole is managed by computer, allowing the formation of interesting spray combinations and coloured lighting.
The Czech Republic in the palm of your hand! This educational trail with perfect models (scale 1:25) of major architectural and technical monuments of the Czech Republic is located at the eastern edge of Mariánské Lázně and can be reached by foot or chairlift. Visitors can view miniature versions of over 60 monuments from all over the Czech Republic, for example Červená Lhota Castle, the Staré Bělidlo in Ratibořice, Karlštejn Castle, the Stone Bridge in Písek, the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Prague, the telecommunications tower on Ještěd mountain, the Liberec cable car, Kynžvart Chateau, etc.
Located slightly less than 9 km north of Mariánské Lázně in the centre of the most valuable area of the Slavkov Forest Protected Landscape Area is one of the most beautiful locations in the Cheb region, the Kladská artificial lake and hunting lodge. A newly refurbished educational trail leads from the former hunting lodge of Prince Schönburg-Waldenburg along wooden walkways through peaceful spruce forests around the romantic lake and through the Kladská Peat Bog – Taiga National Nature Reserve, with its rich flora and fauna. Visitors can view the adjacent Acidic Lake (Kyselé jezero), with one of the most acidic bodies of water in Europe, and park with the grave of the founder of the hunting lodge, including stylised structures and an arboretum. Kladská can be reached by foot, bicycle, bus or car.
Originally built in the Baroque style, in 1821–36 the Austrian Chancellor von Metternich had the chateau rebuilt in the Empire style. The project was overseen by Pietro Nobile, an architect of Italian origin. The chateau is home to one of the most valuable chateau libraries in Bohemia. In 1828 a museum was founded in the chateau on the initiative of Chancellor von Metternich, and visitors today can view its valuable collection of natural history exhibits, coins, historical and technological curiosities, manuscripts, Ancient Egyptian artefacts, weapons and objets d’art. Transport connection: train, bus, car