Balbín Spring (Balbínův pramen)
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.
At a glance
Where it rises
Forest spring nearby
Type
Drinking spring
Classification
bicarbonate magnesium-calcium-sodium acidulous water, cold, hypotonic, medium mineralised
Compare the composition of all springsTraditionally used for
The outlet lies in the protected spring area by the little Balbín pond, between the Hleďsebe quarter and the forests north of the town. The surrounding boggy meadows are among the last habitats of the rare sundew — so the spring deserves a quiet, considerate visit.
A little history
The spring was discovered in 1853 while peat, then newly used in the spa treatments, was being cleared; three outlets gradually came to light. It was not used for drinking cures in the past and served only as an excursion destination. In 1921 it was captured, and since then its water has been piped to Nové Lázně for carbonated baths. In the town centre, according to the 2018 book, its fountain stood by the statues of the monarchs.
Source: Mineral springs in Mariánské Lázně for the drinking cure (Bartoš, Nečasová, Knára, 2018).
How the drinking cure works
The water is sipped slowly, usually before meals — traditionally from a spouted spa cup that guides it past the front teeth. Which spring, how much and how often is set by your spa physician, because every water acts differently. This page informs; it is no substitute for medical advice.
