CZECH SPAS
by Judy Chapman
The Czech government is "spot on" when it comes to spas.
As part of their preventative health program, they subsidize those suffering from health challenges like Rheumatoid arthritis, digestive disorders and inflammation to spend a few weeks at their thermal spas for cure every year. Read about what mineral springs cure what.
And why not? Apart from their rather good beer, Czech’s proudest natural resources are their healing waters.
Home to hundreds of curative springs, it’s the classical town of Marianske Lazne, home of the second largest Czech spa, that has stood time.
Located in a wooded valley, a three-hour drive from Prague, the town’s allure is the dozens of restored 19th Century façade buildings that form a ring around the town’s parks and fountains.
That and the fact there are over one hundred and forty springs, many of which have been scientifically proven to remedy all sorts of disorders.
It’s good to know you're in rather good company when you spa at Marianske Lazne.
The baths date as far back to the 19th Century have attracted plenty of noble folk like Goethe, Twain, Freud, Nietzsche and Strauss who have drank the healing waters. King Edward VII of England reportedly loved it here so much he visited here nine times between 1897-1090.
Today the tradition of taking to the waters as a curative continues. Wander around the promenades and observe visitors, mostly elderly Germans and Russians, sipping their prescribed waters from the special ceramic pots. Indeed nearly everything here is centered around the town’s offerings.
But it’s inside the historical spa hotels, all with dedicated ‘spa floors’ where much of the activity happens.
Don't go and except to be pampered. What distinguishes Czech spas is the skill and knowledge of the doctors with many having worked here for over twenty yeas now. Every therapist, it seems, holds some form of degree in medicine. Even the attendant who drew my thermal mud bath was a qualified nurse.
Upon arrival, a team of doctors conduct thorough diagnostics before prescribing your treatment programme for the coming weeks.
MINERAL SPRINGS TARGET VARIOUS AILMENTS
Since each spring is blessed with its own unique mineral content, every guest is thus prescribed an individual schedule of not only what water to drink, how much and at what times of the day, but also when to bathe.
The Cross Spring, for instance, is recommended for digestive tract (stomach complaints, gall bladder, liver and pancreas disorders) while The Rudolph Spring is known for its high calcium levels and has a diuretic effect that is good for osteoporosis.
There’s natural peat mud that is used for compresses and wraps while the Marie Spring is actually a powerful gas seepage (99.7% natural CO2).
Results from bathing in these carbon dioxide baths reportedly lower blood pressure, increase blood circulation and heart activity. This natural medicinal gas can also be applied by hypodermic applications for those suffering joint and spinal problems.
A spa vacation here isn’t as clinical as it sounds though. There’s a host of relaxation and beauty programmes to choose from and the surrounding landscape makes for excellent Nordic walking and cross-country skiing.
But if you want to heat things up a little then drive an hour or so towards the border of Austria to Karlovy Vary. another famous spa town renowned for its thermal springs.
The warm mineral waters spout 2,000 meters from below at a reportedly 1,500 litres per minute are full of healthful benefits (little wonder that Strauss, Beethoven and Bach visited here over the years).
Not unlike Marianske Lazne, there are plenty of both plush and affordable spa houses to stay while you take part in the various water procedures.
From carbonated baths to hydrotherapies, underwater massages and iodine and herbal bath, there’s something for everyone, for all ages. And while some may find the rather efficient looking doctors walking briskly through the corridors a little authoritarian for a spa environment, I for one, felt reassured to know that I was in safe hands.
WHERE TO STAY Out of all the hotels we visited, it was Spa Hotel Nove Lazne that became our temporary home. While accommodation is pleasant enough it’s their Royal Spa Center that captures attention. The expansive 1600-meter space is home to all the European heat and water therapies.
Take a mineral bath in the Royal cabin, a historical private area built for King Edward in the 7th Century and well – you’ll feel like a King too.
Book a Czech Spa Vacation
Judy Chapman is an Asian-based spa writer and author.
Photos by Daniel Leser.