The Mill Colonnade is a stone arcade on the left bank of the Teplá River, in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary. Josef Zítek, who also designed Prague's National Theatre, drew up the plans, and construction ran from 1871 to 1881. The arcade is 132 metres long and holds 124 Corinthian columns, with twelve sandstone figures on the roof for the months of the year. Five mineral springs rise inside, and you can drink the hot water from the fountains with a spa cup.
Building the colonnade
The colonnade was designed by Josef Zítek, the architect of Prague's National Theatre. Work ran from 1871 to 1881, and the building was meant to let guests of the spa drink mineral water in any weather.
The colonnade takes its name from an old mill that stood nearby before it was built. The Mill Spring that rises here is said to date back to the 16th century, when its water was used for bathing.
In 1891 and 1892 the colonnade was extended with a new northern pavilion above the Rock Spring. It has also been renovated more than once during the last century.
Architecture and the statues
The colonnade is built of stone in a Renaissance style. Its hall runs 132 metres long and 13 metres wide, with a coffered ceiling held up by 124 Corinthian columns.
On the attic gable stand twelve sandstone figures, each representing one month of the year. Seen from the outside, the columns, the palm trees and the street running alongside make the building look like a postcard scene.
The colonnade is the biggest of the town's colonnades, and it is the one most people picture when they think of Karlovy Vary.
The five springs
Five mineral springs are housed inside: the Mill Spring, the Rusalka Spring, the Rock Spring, the Libuše Spring and the Prince Wenceslas Spring. The Mill Spring is about 56 °C, which is hot enough that you should let the water cool before you drink.
The water is drinkable. Fill a spa cup at a fountain, wait a moment, then take small sips. Spa cups are sold in shops near the colonnade, and a porcelain cup with a closed top and a built-in straw is the traditional style.
The springs are at the heart of the colonnade's purpose. The building was made to shelter the people who came to take the waters, so the fountains remain the main reason to stop here.
Nearby and practical details
The Hot Spring Colonnade, a short walk away, holds the town's most powerful geyser, which sends water about 12 metres into the air. Park Colonnade, Market Colonnade and Hot Spring Colonnade line the riverside promenade, so you can visit several in one walk.
Dvořák Park lies next to the Mill Colonnade. The Grandhotel Pupp, the Becherovka herbal liquor factory and the Moser glassworks are all within reach of the centre.
Public toilets are located opposite the Hotel Thermal and in the main Spring Hall, which is the glass building that houses the Vřídlo spring. The colonnade's entrance and restroom are both wheelchair accessible.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
No. You can walk the colonnade and drink from its springs for free. You only pay if you buy a spa cup.
How long do you need?
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes to walk the length of the colonnade and try the springs.
Can you drink the spring water?
Yes, the water is drinkable. It is hot, so cool it in a cup or bottle before you drink.
Is the colonnade open late?
Yes. The colonnade is open 24 hours a day.
Is the colonnade wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the restroom are both wheelchair accessible.
