Towns

The royal town of Kadaň was granted the statute of a free royal town around 1259. Under the rule of Emperor Charles IV, who granted it numerous privileges, Kadaň experienced boundless prosperity. Today’s historic centre features an unusual number of beautiful town houses, ecclesiastical buildings and the remnants of a medieval defense system. In 1978, the historic center of Kadaň was proclaimed an urban monument preservation area for a reason.

Practical tips:

Information center – Infocentrum

Informační centrum a galerie Josefa Lieslera

Mírové náměstí 1, 432 01  Kadaň

+420 474 319 550, www.mesto-kadan.cz; galerie@mesto-kadan.cz

Recommended:

Executioner’s Lane (Katova ulička)

The narrowest street in the Czech Republic is 51 meters long and is 66.1 centimeters at its narrowest point.

The Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

This originally Gothic church was rebuilt in Baroque style by architect Kosch between 1746 and 1755.

The Karel Havlíček Gallery

This is a permanent exhibition of drawings by Karel Havlíček.

View tower

The view tower is located on the top of Saint Hill (Svatý kopec) over Kadaň at 390 meters above sea level.

The Franciscan Monastery (národní kulturní památka)

The origins of the monastery, which used to be the oldest place of pilgrimage for 14 Holy Helpers in Bohemia, are associated with many legends.

Do not miss:

Kadaň open air pool

Two fully equipped pools with a toboggan and a beach volley ball ground.

Minigolf

The minigolf course also offers children’s attractions – a playground, a jungle gym and a slide.

Kadaň – Klášterec bike trail

It runs along the Ohře River from Kadaňský stupeň Reservoir, which can be accessed via a unique metal footbridge set in a rock. The trail is all natural and motor vehicles are not allowed.

Make sure to visit other historic towns :

Klášterec nad Ohří

The town of Klášterec nad Ohří lies in a valley between the Ohře River and the Doupovské hory and the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). In 1792, the third largest porcelain factory in Bohemia was opened here and Thune porcelain has been made there ever since. In 1883, the Evženie spring was discovered and as a result, a spa complex that has recently been restored, was founded. The town’s dominating feature is a four-wing Neo-gothic chateau. A number of interesting cultural events is held in the historic center all read round.

Tourist information center

Turistické informační centrum a Galerie Kryt

nám. Dr. E. Beneše 86, 431 51 Klášterec nad Ohří

+420 474 376 431, fax: +420 474 371 170,  www.goklasterec.cz,  icklasterec@muklasterec.cz

The Klášterec nad Ohří Castle

The castle is located on the left bank of the Ohře River, surrounded by a 10 hectare dendrologically precious 19^th century English park. The park contains 220 tree species from all over the world. The Neo-gothic four-wing castle features a valuable porcelain exhibition from the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. The basement is used for the Fairy Tale Land exhibition. Minerals founds in the surrounding sites are also on display.

The Church of the Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity below the square was built in Baroque style according to a design by the famous Italian architect Carlo Lurago. The church contains the Thune tomb and a unique porcelain family tree.

Žatec

The town was founded as early as the 10^th century on a strategic location that oversees the Ohře River as a fortified castle for the Přemysl family. Gradually, the castle grew into an early medieval agglomeration with a castle, church, bailey and settlements below the castle. For over 700 years, Žatec has been home to high quality hops and good beer. The town center has 5 squares and about 500 buildings of different architectonic styles. Thanks to its historical character, Žatec is popular with filmmakers.

Tourist information center

Městský úřad Žatec (radnice) nám. Svobody 1, 438 24 Žatec
+420 415 736 156, +420 415 736 111

The Hop Museum

Its exposition makes it the largest museum of its kind in the world. Its 4,000 m2 presents the history of hop growing from the early Middle Ages to today.

The Town Hall Tower

The town was built as early as 1362. The 47-meter tower, today used as a lookout tower, was added after an 18^th century fire.

Slaný

The town is located on an important trade crossroads. Its close vicinity to Prague makes it a perfect location for a day trip if you are visiting Prague or Central Bohemia. The surrounding nature can be explored via a nature trail on Slánská hora Mountain. The town center offers cultural monuments such as the former Piarist College, the Velvary Gate, a monastery, the Church of St Gothard and many others. Sport enthusiasts can use the multi-purpose Sports Hall.

Information center Slaný
Masarykovo náměstí 159, 274 01 Slaný

+420 312 523 448 , ic@infoslany.cz , www.infoslany.cz

The Museum of National History in Slaný (in the former Piarist College)

The Velvary Gate (an exhibition on town’s fortification)

Horní Slavkov

Horní Slavkov is a town with a rich mining history, founded in the 14^th century. The 16^th century brought with it many remarkable sights, such as the Renaissance Pluha’s House (16^th century), an ore mill (called Seidelhaus), Pluha’s gallery that used to drain water from the mines and Puškařovská stoka, a system of mining ponds that supplies water for mining equipment.

Horní Slavkov – Information Center

Pluhova 211, 357 31 Horní Slavkov

+420 352 688 130, www.kmkk.cz, www.omks.cz, hslavkov@muzeum-sokolov.cz

From the sights in Horní Slavkov, the Museum with its minerals, historic items and porcelain displays is worth visiting. The tour includes the restored interiors of Pluha’s House, today used as a wedding hall.

Another important sight is the fortification Church of St George, built over an older church (first mentioned in 1242) with late Gothic decorations by architect H. Krog from 1515-23.

Bečov nad Teplou

The historic town of Bečov nad Teplou that was granted its first municipal privileges in 1399 is a small gem of the Karlovy Vary Region. The town is strategically located within the spa town triangle formed by Karlovy, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. Not far from Bečov nad Teplou is the Teplá Monastery, the Loket Castle and the Kynžvart Chateau. The Bečva River and numerous streams run through the town; there are many lakes and spruce and mixed forests of the Slavkovský les protected landscape area. Bečov nad Teplou is a very pleasant and picturesque town offering different activities both to locals and visitors. Here you can participate in various cultural, sports and social events all year round.

Information center

Městský úřad Bečov nad Teplou, náměstí 5. května 1, 364 64  Bečov nad Teplou

+420 353 999 318, www.becov.cz , info@becov.cz

The Bečov nad Teplou State Castle and Chateau www.zamek-becov.cz

The first trustworthy mention of the castle dates back to 1349 when the Lords of Rýzmburk issued a deed that clearly documents the existence of a castle settlement. The castle’s first floor houses a unique display of what is referred to as the “discovery of the century”, the Romanesque Shrine of St Maurus. The second floor features a traditional castle exposition.

Karlovy Vary

This regional city lies in western part of the Czech Republic, approximately 120 km from Prague, on the confluence of the Teplá and Ohře Rivers. It is the largest and best known spa town in the Czech Republic. Time-proven thermal baths, mineral water drinking treatments and modern methods are used. The city offers numerous cultural and sports events. One of the most popular is the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which attracts film lovers from all over the world every year.

Information center - Infocenter

INFOCENTRUM MĚSTA Karlovy Vary, o. p. s. +420 355 321 176-7
wwww.karlovyvary.cz, ; www.mmkv.cz, infocentrum@karlovy-vary.cz

The Mill Colonnade (1871 - 1881, Josef Zítek)

This renowned Neo-renaissance 132-meter long colonnade was built by the same architect who built the National Theater in Prague.

Bath V – The Elizabethan Bath (1906)

Refurbished in 2004 by the Drobny architect studio, this spa, named after Empress Elizabeth, (a.k.a. Sissi), is the largest bath house in the Czech Republic. Both spa and physiotherapeutic treatments such as baths, peat wraps, crymotherapy and other procedures are provided. This location also has a swimming pool, a salt cave, etc.