A practical catalogue of the mineral springs of Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad): Cross, Caroline, Rudolph, Forest, Ambrose and Ferdinand Springs and the forest springs. Where to find each spring, how to get there, how the water tastes, indicative opening hours and where to buy a spa cup.
Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) lies in one of Europe's richest spring regions. Some forty mineral springs rise within the town itself, and around a hundred in the surrounding forests and meadows — each with its own character, taste and story. This page is a practical guide: where to find each spring, how to get there, how the water tastes and what to bring with you.
Which spring to drink, in what quantity and when is determined during a drinking cure by the spa physician after the initial examination. How the individual waters differ and which complaints they are traditionally prescribed for in Marienbad is explained on the mineral springs page. Here we concentrate on the walk between the springs.
The springs originate in the bedrock of the Slavkov Forest. Rainwater seeps deep underground, is enriched with minerals from the surrounding rock and rises back to the surface along tectonic faults together with carbon dioxide of volcanic origin. The water travels through the ground for a long time before it emerges — and that is exactly why it differs so much from ordinary water.
All the Marienbad springs are cold acidulous waters: the water rises at a temperature of around 7–10 °C and contains natural carbon dioxide (CO₂), which gives it its characteristic sparkle. In mineral content, however, the springs differ markedly — some are rich in iron, others in Glauber's salt, others again in calcium or magnesium. That is why each tastes different.
The springs at the Main Colonnade form the historic centre of spa life. Here guests stroll with cups in hand and savour the atmosphere of the cast-iron colonnade, the Singing Fountain and the surrounding pavilions. All three colonnade springs are only a few steps apart, on level ground with paved paths.
The Cross Spring is Marienbad's most famous spring — the one where the history of the spa began. Locals had known the spring for ages, but it was the Teplá monastery physician Josef Jan Nehr who brought it fame when he pushed through the first spa buildings in the late 18th century. The cross that gave the spring its name has stood here since 1749. Today's neoclassical pavilion dates from 1912 and is the ceremonial heart of every drinking cure.
The Caroline Spring was originally called the New Spring; it received the name of Empress Caroline Augusta in 1817. The neoclassical Caroline Spring colonnade, one of the town's most photographed structures, is dedicated to it.
The Rudolph Spring bears the name of Crown Prince Rudolph. It rises at its own pavilion in the lower part of town in Úšovice, but its water is also piped to the Cross Spring pavilion by the colonnade — so you can taste it conveniently in the heart of the spa quarter as well as at its source.
Along the promenades, in the parks and in the lower part of town you will find further springs, hidden in Empire-style pavilions and garden gazebos. The way to them is a pleasant walk through the park — and in Marienbad a walk with cup in hand is as important a part of the day as the spring itself.
The Ambrose Spring has three outlets in the spa park below the colonnade, close to the Central Baths and below Goethe Square. Because of its iron content it was also called the "spring of love" in the 19th century — and Goethe himself is said to have liked resting beside it.
The Forest Spring rises at the northern edge of the spa quarter by the Třebízský brook, and its Empire-style pavilion of 1869 is among the most graceful in the spa. For many guests, the morning walk to the Forest Spring with cup in hand is a daily ritual.
The Maria Spring — the spring that gave the town its name — is not a spring in the classic sense. What rises from the depths here is not water but almost pure carbon dioxide (99.7%), "Maria's Gas", which only secondarily dissolves into the shallow groundwater. The sulphurous smell of the vent originally earned the place the name "Stinking Meadow", before it was renamed after an image of the Virgin Mary. It was in use even before the spa was founded.
The Ferdinand Spring is the oldest spring of Marienbad in written records — as early as the 16th century, in the reign of Ferdinand I, after whom it is named, salt-boiling was attempted here. The charming pavilion of 1827 stands in the lower part of town in Úšovice and makes a rewarding goal for an afternoon walk.
The Anthony Spring in Úšovice served the surrounding farmsteads long before the spa came into being; today's small pavilion dates from 1997, when the outlet was newly captured. Locals consider it the best "table" acidulous water and come here to fill their bottles.
Those looking for springs away from the colonnade will find freely rising acidulous waters, without pavilions or opening hours, in the forests north of the town. The way to them doubles as a spa walk along marked trails; bring sturdy footwear and a cup.
Farská Kyselka is a freely rising acidulous spring in the forests north of the town and a classic goal of the spa walk. The iron-rich water leaves its typical rusty deposit at the outlet — a cup on the spot is part of the experience.
The Balbín Spring, named after the scholar Bohuslav Balbín, rises in the Prameniště natural monument by the little Balbín pond, between the Hleďsebe quarter and the forests north of the town. The surrounding boggy meadows are among the last places where the rare sundew grows — so the spring deserves a quiet, considerate visit along the marked paths.
A detailed guide to how the drinking cure works is in the article The drinking cure — a guide, and the differences between the individual waters in the article Guide to the mineral springs.
Most springs are freely accessible all year round and the water is free. The pavilions of the colonnade springs are open, as a guide, from 6:00 to 18:00, in summer usually an hour longer; opening times change with the season, so check the current hours on the spot or at the colonnade. The forest springs are accessible at any time; some smaller pavilions and gazebos outside the centre may be closed in winter.
A walk along all the main springs takes roughly 2–3 hours and leads through the loveliest parts of the spa quarter, parks and forests — the ideal programme for a morning with cup in hand.
10 springs at an interactive glance — filter by what the water should help with and where it rises.
What should the spring help with?
Where does it rise?
Acidulous water with Glauber’s salt
Marienbad’s most famous spring, where the spa’s history began. Its distinctive bitter taste comes from Glauber’s salt; it is traditionally drunk for digestive and metabolic complaints. The neoclassical pavilion by the colonnade is the ceremonial heart of every drinking cure.
Strong Glauber-salt acidulous water
The oldest spring in written records — salt-boiling was attempted here as early as the 16th century. Its effects resemble the Cross Spring, with an even stronger taste. The pretty pavilion stands in the lower Úšovice district and makes a rewarding walk.
Calcium- and magnesium-rich acidulous water
Marienbad’s classic “kidney spring”: its high calcium content makes it the traditional choice for kidney and urinary tract disorders, and as support for osteoporosis. The spring rises in Úšovice; you can taste it conveniently at the colonnade pavilion.
Magnesium-rich acidulous water
Named after Empress Caroline Augusta, the spring owes its reputation to an exceptionally high magnesium content — traditionally recommended for kidney stones. Its pavilion belongs to the colonnade ensemble, steps from the Singing Fountain.
Mild alkaline acidulous water
The mildest of the great drinking springs, traditionally used for upper respiratory complaints — including inhalation and gargling — and for stomach troubles. Its elegant pavilion at the northern edge of the spa quarter is a favourite goal of the morning walk.
Iron-rich acidulous water
Thanks to its iron content it was once celebrated as the “spring of love” — recommended for anaemia and traditionally for urinary complaints. You will find it in the spa park below Goethe Square; Goethe himself liked to rest nearby.
Natural CO₂ gas (99.7%)
Not a spring in the classic sense: what rises from the depths here is not water but almost pure carbon dioxide (99.7%) — “Maria’s gas”, which only secondarily dissolves into the shallow groundwater. It was this gas vent that gave the town its name. Used in dry baths and gas injections, the gas boosts circulation and eases the heart and blood vessels; the treatment is exclusive to the spa houses.
Iron-rich forest spring
A freely bubbling spring in the forests north of town and the classic goal of the spa walk. The iron-rich water leaves its typical rust-red deposit at the outlet — a cup on the spot is part of the experience.
Gentle iron-rich acidulous water
A quiet forest outlet at the edge of the Balbín bog north of the town, named after the scholar Bohuslav Balbín. If you seek the springs away from the colonnade, here you find woodland, birdsong — and a spring few spa guests know.
Refreshing acidulous water
The spring of the lower town: its pavilion in Úšovice is popular with locals, who come to fill their bottles. A refreshing, very drinkable acidulous water — an ideal stop on the walk to the Ferdinand Spring.
This information is no substitute for medical advice — agree your drinking cure with your spa physician.
