Cross Spring (III)
9,845 mg/l analysis 2014 / 2017
- pH
- 6.6
- Osmotic pressure
- 631 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,305 mg/kg
- Na
- 2,700
- Mg
- 93.4
- Ca
- 161
- Fe
- 19.9
- Cl
- 909
- SO₄
- 3,130
- HCO₃
- 2,841
Mineral springs
Spring analyses and where to drink
Every Marienbad spring has its own composition — which is why each tastes different and why the drinking cure is set by a doctor. Here are the analyses of the main springs side by side.
How to read a spring analysis
All the local springs are cold acidulous waters: they rise at 7–10 °C and contain natural carbon dioxide. They differ in how much, and which, minerals the water dissolves on its way through the rock. What counts are the cations (sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron) and anions (chloride, sulphate, bicarbonate) — the predominant ones give a spring its technical name, such as “sulphate-bicarbonate sodium acidulous water”.
Total mineralisation tells you how much dissolved matter a litre of water contains. Osmotic pressure shows how “concentrated” the water is compared with body fluids: every spring in the table is hypotonic.
Chemical composition
Cations, anions and mineralisation in mg/l, free CO₂ in mg/kg. Sorted from the most strongly mineralised spring.
Ferdinand Spring (I)
7,758 mg/l analysis 2013 / 2017
- pH
- 6.43
- Osmotic pressure
- 510 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,390 mg/kg
- Na
- 2,070
- Mg
- 85.6
- Ca
- 124
- Fe
- 17.6
- Cl
- 787
- SO₄
- 2,260
- HCO₃
- 2,413
Forest Spring
2,752 mg/l analysis 2014 / 2017
- pH
- 6.27
- Osmotic pressure
- 135 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,960 mg/kg
- Na
- 549
- Mg
- 79.2
- Ca
- 99.8
- Fe
- 9.9
- Cl
- 151
- SO₄
- 511
- HCO₃
- 1,352
Rudolph Spring
2,246 mg/l analysis – / 2017
- pH
- 6.21
- Osmotic pressure
- 108 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,600 mg/kg
- Na
- 85.8
- Mg
- 133
- Ca
- 266
- Fe
- 14.5
- Cl
- 42.8
- SO₄
- 114
- HCO₃
- 1,590
Caroline Spring*
1,651 mg/l analysis 2015 / 2017
- pH
- 6.18
- Osmotic pressure
- 95 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,710 mg/kg
- Na
- 190
- Mg
- 81.1
- Ca
- 125
- Fe
- 19.3
- Cl
- 84.6
- SO₄
- 203
- HCO₃
- 948
* The values come from the 2017 analysis. Ensana’s 2025 medical catalogue states that the composition of the Caroline Spring has changed in recent years and that its magnesium and calcium content has fallen; we are verifying the current analysis.
Balbín Spring
1,305 mg/l analysis 2013 / 2016
- pH
- 5.9
- Osmotic pressure
- 64 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,875 mg/kg
- Na
- 93.4
- Mg
- 79.4
- Ca
- 102
- Fe
- 21.7
- Cl
- 30.4
- SO₄
- 124
- HCO₃
- 854
Anthony Spring
1,235 mg/l analysis – / 2018
- pH
- 6.02
- Osmotic pressure
- 78 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,315 mg/kg
- Na
- 38
- Mg
- 45.5
- Ca
- 199
- Fe
- 17.9
- Cl
- 25.8
- SO₄
- 38.4
- HCO₃
- 870
Ambrose Springs (I, II, III)
469–564 mg/l analysis 2013 / 2017
- pH
- 5.65
- Osmotic pressure
- 25 kPa
- Free CO₂
- 2,580 mg/kg
- Na
- 55.3
- Mg
- 24
- Ca
- 57.7
- Fe
- 15.6
- Cl
- 57.8
- SO₄
- 64.4
- HCO₃
- 288
| Spring | pH | Osmotic pressure kPa | Cations (mg/l) | Anions (mg/l) | Mineralisation mg/l | Free CO₂ mg/kg | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Mg | Ca | Fe | Cl | SO₄ | HCO₃ | |||||
| Cross Spring (III) analysis 2014 / 2017 | 6.6 | 631 | 2,700 | 93.4 | 161 | 19.9 | 909 | 3,130 | 2,841 | 9,845 | 2,305 |
| Ferdinand Spring (I) analysis 2013 / 2017 | 6.43 | 510 | 2,070 | 85.6 | 124 | 17.6 | 787 | 2,260 | 2,413 | 7,758 | 2,390 |
| Forest Spring analysis 2014 / 2017 | 6.27 | 135 | 549 | 79.2 | 99.8 | 9.9 | 151 | 511 | 1,352 | 2,752 | 2,960 |
| Rudolph Spring analysis – / 2017 | 6.21 | 108 | 85.8 | 133 | 266 | 14.5 | 42.8 | 114 | 1,590 | 2,246 | 2,600 |
| Caroline Spring* analysis 2015 / 2017 | 6.18 | 95 | 190 | 81.1 | 125 | 19.3 | 84.6 | 203 | 948 | 1,651 | 2,710 |
| Balbín Spring analysis 2013 / 2016 | 5.9 | 64 | 93.4 | 79.4 | 102 | 21.7 | 30.4 | 124 | 854 | 1,305 | 2,875 |
| Anthony Spring analysis – / 2018 | 6.02 | 78 | 38 | 45.5 | 199 | 17.9 | 25.8 | 38.4 | 870 | 1,235 | 2,315 |
| Ambrose Springs (I, II, III) analysis 2013 / 2017 | 5.65 | 25 | 55.3 | 24 | 57.7 | 15.6 | 57.8 | 64.4 | 288 | 469–564 | 2,580 |
* Please note — Caroline Spring: The values come from the 2017 analysis. Ensana’s 2025 medical catalogue states that the composition of the Caroline Spring has changed in recent years and that its magnesium and calcium content has fallen; we are verifying the current analysis.
Source: Mineral springs in Mariánské Lázně for the drinking cure (Minerální prameny v Mariánských Lázních k pitné léčbě; Bartoš, Nečasová, Knára, 2018); analyses 2013–2018.
Classification and where to drink
Traditional use in the drinking cure as prescribed by a doctor, as listed in the book, and the fountains where each water is available. Whether a drinking cure suits you is always decided by the spa physician.
Cross Spring (III)
sulphate-bicarbonate sodium ferrous acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, very strongly mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- digestive system disorders, constipation
- Public fountain
- Cross Spring pavilion
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- —
Ferdinand Spring (I)
sulphate-bicarbonate-chloride sodium acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, very strongly mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- digestive system disorders, constipation
- Public fountain
- Ferdinand Spring colonnade in Úšovice
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- hotel Butterfly
Forest Spring
bicarbonate-sulphate sodium acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, strongly mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- stomach and intestinal disorders, gall bladder and liver inflammation; urate and cystine stones; raised uric acid, gout, type 2 diabetes
- Public fountain
- Forest Spring pavilion; in season also at the front of hotel Nové Lázně
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- hotels Nové Lázně and Pacifik
Rudolph Spring
bicarbonate calcium-magnesium ferrous acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, strongly mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- kidney and urinary tract disorders; raised uric acid, gout; obesity, osteoporosis; calcium and magnesium depletion
- Public fountain
- Cross Spring pavilion; Small colonnade opposite hotel Centrální Lázně; Rudolph Spring pavilion in Úšovice
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- —
Caroline Spring
bicarbonate sodium-magnesium-calcium ferrous acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, strongly mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- kidney and urinary tract disorders, especially oxalate stones; type 2 diabetes; gout
- Public fountain
- Cross Spring pavilion; Small colonnade by hotel Centrální Lázně
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- —
Balbín Spring
bicarbonate magnesium-calcium-sodium acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, medium mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- oxalate stones, idiopathic hypercalciuria; type 2 diabetes; obesity
- Public fountain
- by the statues of the monarchs in the small park in front of hotel Bohemia
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- hotels Centrální Lázně, Hvězda and Vltava
Anthony Spring
bicarbonate calcium-magnesium ferrous acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, medium mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- refreshing drink; not used for the drinking cure
- Public fountain
- Anthony Spring gazebo in Úšovice
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- —
Ambrose Springs (I, II, III)
plain ferrous acidulous waters, cold, hypotonic, slightly to medium mineralised
- Traditional use in the drinking cure, as prescribed by a doctor
- urinary stones of unknown composition, including infection stones; raised uric acid; gout
- Public fountain
- in front of hotel Centrální Lázně
- Fountain in a spa hotel
- connecting corridor between hotels Centrální Lázně and Nové Lázně
Fountains are listed as given in the book (2018). Some may be closed out of season; fountains inside spa hotels are for that hotel’s guests.
The book also contains analyses of the Alexandra, Augustine, Edward VII, Joseph, St Maria Eva and Central springs. We will add them once we have verified where they can be reached today.
The drinking cure is decided by the spa physician
The table describes the water, not a treatment. Which spring, how many cups and at what time of day is set by the spa physician after your initial examination — according to your diagnosis, other conditions and medication.
Strongly mineralised springs with a high sodium content (Cross Spring, Ferdinand Spring) are not suitable for everyone. If you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease or have been told to limit salt, talk to your doctor before starting a drinking cure.
A short glossary
- Acidulous water (kyselka)
- Mineral water containing more than 1,000 mg of dissolved carbon dioxide per litre. If its effect rests on carbon dioxide alone, it is called a plain acidulous water.
- Medicinal mineral water
- The Czech Spa Act (No. 164/2001 Coll.) defines mineral water as naturally occurring groundwater of original purity containing at least 1 g/l of dissolved solids or 1 g/l of dissolved carbon dioxide, or meeting other statutory criteria. Only water recognised as a natural healing resource is prescribed for the drinking cure.
- Hypotonic water
- Water with a lower osmotic pressure than body fluids (below 710 kPa). Every spring in the table is hypotonic.
