Marienbad is more than just a feast for the eyes with its magnificent architecture. The true treasure of this world-famous spa town lies deep underground. There, three unique natural remedies slumber, making a stay here something truly special: healing mineral water, the mysterious Mariengas gas, and soothing natural mud.
Based on these three treasures, Marienbad offers a wealth of treatments. We will take you on our journey of discovery and show you what awaits you in Mariánské Lázně.
Auf einen Blick
What: Cure in Marienbad
Where: Mariánské Lázně, Czechia
Highlight: Drinking cures, mineral baths, Mariengas
Ideal for: Cure guests with specific complaints, guests without spa experience
The Healing Springs: A Sip of Health (that doesn’t always taste good)
Over 100 springs emerge in the immediate vicinity of Marienbad, about 40 of which are located directly within the town. But unlike in nearby Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary), the water here is not hot, but refreshingly cool at 8 to 10 °C. The advantage: The valuable carbonic acid remains dissolved in the water and can be better absorbed by the body.
Each spring has a unique composition of minerals and trace elements. The drinking cure is an important part of the health cure in Marienbad.
It is a medically prescribed procedure. After a thorough examination, the spa doctor determines which spring should be drunk, in what quantity (typically 1 to 2 liters per day), and at what times.
“Strolling” while drinking in the colonnades or parks is an important part of the drinking cure. The circulation is stimulated, and the metabolization of the minerals is supported.
The effect is direct and diverse: Depending on the spring, the water has a diuretic effect, influences the acid-base balance, regulates the digestive activity of the stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder, acts as an expectorant, or compensates for mineral deficiencies.
Our Spring Tour – A Self-Experiment
Everywhere in the city, you will find signposted paths to the spring pavilions. Of course, we had to try! A quick tip: If you don’t have a medical prescription, only enjoy the water in small sips.
The most important springs include:
Waldquelle (Forest Spring): Top for respiratory diseases. Ideal for inhaling and drinking.
Rudolfquelle (Rudolf’s Spring): With its high content of calcium and magnesium, it is one of the most palatable springs. It is recommended for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and for the supportive treatment of osteoporosis.
Kreuzquelle (Cross Spring): A powerhouse for digestion. Enjoy with caution due to its laxative effect!
Karolinaquelle (Karolina’s Spring): It is rich in magnesium and therefore suitable for compensating for magnesium deficiency.
Ambrosiusquelle (Ambrose’s Spring): Its high iron content predestines it for the treatment of iron deficiency.
Ferdinandquelle (Ferdinand’s Spring): This spring is also used for metabolic and digestive disorders.
And how does it taste? Honestly: it takes some getting used to. The water is cold and very metallic. It was not to my taste, but as the saying goes: “What helps, doesn’t have to taste good!” In any case, Patrick found the taste better than the spring water in Karlsbad.
Mary’s Gas: Bathing Without Getting Wet
Besides the mineral springs, Marienbad has another geological sensation: Mary’s Gas. This is a natural, dry spring gas of volcanic origin, which consists of 99.7% pure carbon dioxide.
This gas dissolves in the groundwater and naturally enriches it, which explains the high CO₂ concentration in the mineral water. It is used therapeutically in two ways: as gas injections for pain or in a dry gas bath.
Our Adventure in the Blue Sack
Our “taster therapy plan” during our stay at the Hotel Ensana Nové Lázně included a visit to a dry bath. “Dry bath” – what were we to imagine?
The curiosity was huge. It was quite strange to be handed a blue “garbage bag” with the instruction “undress, get in, and lie down” and then be left alone.
Said, done. A short time later, a staff member came and tied the bag shut below the chest. With a nozzle (it reminded me of a pump for car tires), she then filled the bag tightly with CO₂ gas. We looked like bulging blue sausages.
Then it was 20 minutes of lying still and relaxing. Admittedly, the first few minutes were strange. But then I felt a light tingling on my legs. The gas penetrates the skin, expands the blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates circulation. As with any spa treatment, the same applies here: for a real effect, multiple applications are needed, but the experience was one-of-a-kind!
The Mineral Bath: Bubbling Relaxation in a Royal Ambiance
Balneotherapy and hydrotherapy use the external application of the healing water in the form of baths and showers. For example, the following therapies are offered:
Mineral Baths: These baths are characterized by a high content of free CO₂. The gas is absorbed through the skin, dilates the vessels, and leads to a lowering of blood pressure and deep muscle relaxation.
Moor Baths: Here, the mineral-rich moor (peat) is mixed with water. They are excellent for treating chronic inflammation and rheumatic complaints of the musculoskeletal system.
Hydroxeur: A form of underwater massage where up to 230 jets create a fine massage stream. In combination with the buoyancy of the water, this leads to joint relief, stimulation of circulation, and helps with arthrosis and functional nervous disorders.
While Patrick experienced a mineral bath in a classic treatment room, I was allowed to enjoy the famous King’s Cabin of Edward VII. Just entering it, you feel transported to another time. The magnificent cabin was built in 1896 and is almost unchanged with its original tiles and historic furnishings. So, the British King really did relax here during his nine stays in Marienbad!
You step into pure, pleasantly tempered mineral water. I imagined a slight metallic smell, but it quickly faded. You stay in the bath for 20 minutes and relax. With every movement, I felt thousands of tiny CO₂ bubbles tingling on my skin.
Afterwards, you rest wrapped in a towel. After a single application, it is, of course, impossible to say anything about the long-term effect. But the effect of relaxing tense muscles is definitely noticeable.
Bathing in this historical atmosphere was an absolute highlight. A tip: When booking at the Hotel Ensana Nové Lázně, ask specifically for this cabin (it can be booked for an additional fee) – it is an unforgettable experience!
The Power from the Earth: Warming Mud Packs
he third natural remedy is the local peat, also known as peloid. The therapeutic property of these peloids is their exceptionally high heat retention capacity.
For mud packs, the natural moor is heated to temperatures around 40 °C and applied to the painful part of the body. This deep-penetrating warmth works its way into the body, relaxes the muscles, stimulates the local metabolism, and promotes circulation.
Additional Applications / Offers
The classic cures are supplemented by supportive measures. These include, for example:
Diet Therapy: It is a component in the treatment of gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases.
Physical Therapy: Procedures such as electrotherapy for pain relief, magnetic field therapy to promote healing, and therapeutic ultrasound.
Exercise Therapy: A range of massages, individual and group gymnastics (also in water), breathing exercises, and Nordic walking aims to restore motor functions and actively support the healing process.
Is a Cure in Marienbad Right for You?
A cure is ideal for proactively doing something for your health. The treatments are particularly effective for:
Back and joint pain: Arthrosis, rheumatism, or after orthopedic surgery.
Kidney and urinary tract diseases: Chronic inflammation is alleviated.
Respiratory problems: Chronic bronchitis or asthma.
Metabolic diseases: Obesity, gout, or diabetes.
Cardiovascular complaints: High blood pressure and circulatory disorders.
Stress and exhaustion: The relaxing effect of the applications is priceless.
Good to Know: How a Cure Works
A spa stay is not purely a wellness vacation, but a medically supervised process.
The Initial Examination
Every serious health cure in Marienbad begins with a mandatory initial medical examination. Experienced spa doctors, who practice directly in the spa hotels, conduct this consultation.
The Individual Treatment Plan
Based on the results of the initial examination, a detailed, individually tailored treatment plan is created. This plan is virtually the “timetable” for the cure and lists precisely which applications take place on which days and at what times.
Duration, Intensity, and the “Cure Reaction”
The effectiveness of a cure depends on its duration. The optimal length of stay is 14 days. The reason for this lies in a phenomenon known as the “cure reaction.” Typically, this reaction occurs on the third or fourth day of the cure and can manifest as a temporary worsening of general well-being, fatigue, or a slight intensification of symptoms. This is a good sign! The body is beginning to work and regenerate.
Important: A cure is not suitable for acute infections, severe heart disease, during pregnancy, or shortly after cancer treatment.
Marienbad has shown us that a cure is anything but stuffy. It is a fascinating way to feel the healing powers of nature on your own body and to treat yourself to a sustainable break for your health.
Our stay took place in cooperation with the Hotel Ensana Nové Lázně and Claasen Communication GmbH.
Leave a Reply