The colonnade was originally intended as a temporary structure but became a permanent fixture due to its popularity.
The Charles IV Spring located here is legendarily associated with the discovery of the city's thermal waters by Emperor Charles IV while hunting deer.
The design utilizes a light, decorative style common in 19th-century European spa architecture known as 'Kurarchitektur'.
Its construction features a series of arches that mirror the historical urban layout of the Tržiště street.
The water from the Charles IV spring was once piped directly into the nearby houses for private therapeutic use.
The Market Colonnade is a Swiss-style wooden structure designed by architects Fellner and Helmer and constructed in 1883. It serves as a covered walkway housing three distinct thermal springs: the Market Spring, the Charles IV Spring, and the Castle Spring. The edifice is characterized by its white-painted, ornate timber carving and delicate lace-like fretwork. It replaced the original 18th-century town hall building at this site. The colonnade protects visitors from weather while they sample mineral waters with varying temperatures and mineral compositions. It is situated in the historic core of Karlovy Vary near the base of the Castle Tower. The structure underwent extensive restoration in the early 1990s to preserve its historical aesthetic.
From the street level looking up at the colonnade's white, intricate lace-like timber carvings against the backdrop of the hilly forest.
Bring your own spa cup or purchase a porcelain one from nearby vendors to sample the mineral water as intended.
Test the water temperature carefully, as it can be significantly hotter than expected.
Visit during the early morning to avoid the crowds that gather around the spring taps.
Drinking too much mineral water quickly, as it can have strong laxative effects for those unaccustomed to the high mineral content.
The colonnade is a public walkway and is generally accessible year-round, though individual spring taps may occasionally be shut off for maintenance.
