Colonnades
Park Colonnade (1880, Fellner a Helmer)
This colonnade once served as the esplanade of the Blanensky Pavillion, that was demolished in the 1960’s. Fortunately, the colonnade has survived to this date, which was mainly due to its general reconstruction. Three curative springs rise right under the colonnade roof or in its immediate vicinity.
Mill Colonnade (1871 - 1881, Josef Zítek)
Architect Zítek’s original vision of the appearance of this new renaissance building differed from its final look substantially. The renowned architect initially designed the building as a two-storey, much more ostentatious structure. Once finished, the colonnade was not received with the warmest feelings and appreciation. Purportedly, it was not in tune with the nature of the spa city. Since 1893, when it was extended to the Rock Spring (Skalní pramen), it has been 132 m long. Its roof supported by 124 Corinth-style columns shelter an orchestra pit and five mineral springs. Its premises are decorated with allegoric statues.
Market Colonnade (1883, Fellner a Helmer)
The wooden structure inspired by Swiss architecture was meant to arch over mineral springs for a couple of years only. However, when it surmounted the Market Spring and the Charles IV Spring (Tržní and Karla IV.) for more than a hundred years, the local authorities decided to keep it in place and ordered its overall reconstruction.
Chateau Colonnade (1911 - 1913, Friedrich Ohmann)
This colonnade is situated above the Market Colonnade. It has two parts: The Upper Spring Colonnade (Horní pramen) and the Lower Spring Colonnade (Dolní pramen). The interior of the Lower Spring Colonnade is decorated with a relief representing the Spirit of the Springs. The colonnade was shut down for many years. Its reopening took place in 2001 following thorough reconstruction.
Thermal Spring Colonnade (1969 - 1975, prof. Votruba)
From the 16th century onward, the geyser of hot mineral water used to be covered in by many structures: a baroque building, an empire colonnade, a cast alloy colonnade or a temporary wooden colonnade. Another and for the time being still existing structure embracing the spring was erect in the late 1906’s. The space under the colonnade floor hides infrastructure for the drawing, distribution and thermal regulation of thermal water. However, there are also areas where aragonite ‘grows over’ the souvenirs of Karlovy Vary. The old section of the thermal spring underground will soon be open to the public who will be able to go on a guided tour there.
