Czech Republic Karlovy Vary

The first Celtic settlers came there before the Middle Ages. In 14C, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Czech king, gave the privileges to the city. According to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs. Earlier settlements can be found in the outskirts of today's city. In 19C, it became a popular tourist destination, especially for international celebrities visiting for spa treatment. The city is also known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which has become one of Europe's major film events. The famous Karlovarske oplatky (Carlsbad spa wafers) originated in the city in 1867. The city has also given its name to the delicacy known as "Carlsbad plums".

The town, surrounded by green mountains, is a mosaic of parks and noble houses. Most of its buildings come from the town's Golden Era in the second half of 19C, when many celebrities and top European rulers came to enjoy the 100 curative carbon dioxide springs. Most of them are well-kept and often pavilions and/or colonnades are built around them. Because of the diverse number of visitors the town is able to maintain churches of several denominations. These include the Anglican Church, which is no longer in use as a place of worship and is now a concert hall.

To the north-west of the city center lies Cheb castle, built in 12C, and now mostly in ruins. The main attractions are the Chapel of St Erhard and Ursula, the Black Tower and the ruins of a palace; all from 12C. The chapel has two stories; the lower storey is in Romanesque style, while the upper storey is Gothic. The house, a 15C gothic town hall was transformed in 1872, it contains many historical relics and antiquities of the town of Cheb. On the Market Place dating from 13C are a group of houses originating from the late-Gothic period known as Spalicek. The Church of St. Nicholas was established in 13C as a three-naved basilica. The Franciscan Church is located in the town center.

The local natural mineral water has a relatively high content of dissolved carbon dioxide. The effects of the carbonic baths are shown in the better performance of the cardiovascular system, in the mild decrease of blood pressure in the pulse, in the lower occurrence of chronic inflammatory processes in the body, and also in terms of rheumatics, and in the improved blood circulation in tissues and the vegetative stabilisation. The townscape of Frantiskovy Lázně is largely shaped by neoclassical and Belle Epoque buildings of the Habsburg era, as well as by extended parks and gardens with numeours springs and bathhouses.