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Guide to Bach Tour
Karlsbad [V] |
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Contents |
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Description | History
J.S. Bach: Connection | Events in Life History | Performance Dates of Vocal Works | Festivals & Cantata Series
Features of Interest | Information & Links
Photos: Part 1 | Part 2 | Maps |
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Description |
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Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English) is the traditional name for the city and spa city Karlovy Vary
(or Carlovy Vary) situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately 130 km (80.78 miles) west of Prague. It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370. It is historically famous for its hot (73°C) springs (13 main springs, about 300 smaller springs, and the warm-water Teplá River).
In the 19th century, 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 and the popular Czech liqueur Karlovarská Becherovka Carlsbad Becher Liquor. The glass manufacturer Moser Glass is located in Carlsbad. The city has also given its name to the famous delicacy known as "Carlsbad plums". These plums (usually Quetsch) are candied in hot syrup, then halved and stuffed into dried damsons; this gives them a very intense flavour.
The city has been used as the location for a number of film-shoots, including the 2006 films Last Holiday and box-office hit Casino Royale, both of which used the city's Grandhotel Pupp in different guises. |
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Country: Czech Republic (Bohemia) | Region: Karlovy Vary | District: Karlovy Vary | Area: 59.10 km² | Population: 53,700 (2008) |
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History |
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On August 14, 1370, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor gave city privileges to the place that subsequently was named after him, according to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs. However, earlier settlements could be found in the outskirts of today's city.
Due to publications by doctors like David Becher and Josef von Löschner, the city developed into a famous spa resort and was visited by many members of European aristocracy. It became popular after the railway lines to Eger (Cheb) and Prague were completed in 1870. The Carlsbad Decrees of 1819 had associated the city with anti-liberal censorship within the German Confederation.
The number of visitors rose from 134 families in the 1756 season to 26,000 guests annually at the end of the 19th century. By 1911 that figure had reached already 71,000 but World War I put an end to tourism and also led to the collapse of the Austro Hungarian Empire by late 1918.
The German-speaking majority protested against being made a part of Czechoslovakia by the Treaty of Saint Germain. A demonstration on March 4, 1919 passed peacefully, but later that month six demonstrators were killed by Czech troops after a demonstrations turned unruly.
In 1938 the Sudetenland including Karlsbad became part of Nazi Germany after the Munich Agreement. After World War II, the majority of ethnic German population of the city was expelled according to the Potsdam Agreement.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of Communist rule in the Czech Republic, there has been a steady increase of the Russian business presence in Karlovy Vary. |
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Notable People associated with Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) |
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Casanova
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer
Franz Kafka, Czech writer
Alphonse Mucha
Peter I of Russia visited Karlovy Vary in 1711
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, visited Karlsbad in 1917
František Běhounek, scientist and novelist
Karl Hermann Frank, Nazi official
Johann Wolfgang Goethe, German poet, novelist, philosopher, scientist
Princess Michael of Kent (born Marie-Christine von Reibnitz), a member of the British Royal Family, was born in January 1945, prior to the expulsion of the German population
August Pfizmaier, Orientalist
Walter Serner, dadaist
Hana Soukupová, supermodel
Adalbert Stifter, Austrian writer
Karin Stoiber, Former First Lady of Bavaria
Carl Weidl-Raymon, early proponent of European unification
Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous composer came for spa treatments. He and Goethe would take walks together, much to the delight of the people of Karlovy Vary.
Anthony J. Drexel, senior partner of Drexel, Morgan & Co. (JPMorgan, today) and founder of Drexel University, died in Karlsbad in 1893 while spending the summer there for his health
The town's visitors over the years have also included many representatives of the world film industry who come to Karlovy Vary as guests of the International Film Festival held every year in July. |
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Bach Connection |
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J.S. Bach , who had friendly relationships with the Prince Lopold of Köthen (Anhalt), accompanied the prince on many journeys, including two long visits to Karlsbad: 1718 and 1720. When J.S. Bach came back to Köthen from his second staying with the Prince in Karlsbad, he found out that his wife Maria Barbara, with whom he had seven children including Carl Philipp Emanuel and Wilhelm Friedemann, had died. |
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Events in Life History of J.S. Bach |
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Date/Year |
Event |
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Köthen (1717-1723) |
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May-June 1718 |
Visit to Karlsbad with Prince Leopold |
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May-July 1720 |
Visit to Karlsbad with Prince Leopold |
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Performance Dates of J.S. Bach’s Vocal Works : None. |
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Bach Festivals & Cantata Series : None. |
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Features of Interest |
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The Colonnades
- The Mill Colonnade
- The Park Colonnade
- The Market Colonnade
- The Castle Colonnade
- The Hot Spring Colonnade
The Japanese Garden |
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Videos
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Information & Links |
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Carlovy Vary: Czechoslavakia
Karlovy Vary (Official Website) [Czech/English/German]
Carlsbad (Wikipedia) [various languages]
Karlsbad [German] Karlovy Vary [Czech] |
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Prepared by Aryeh Oron (March 2004 - December 2009) |
