Karlovy Vary granted new status

Prague, Sept 4 (CTK) - No high-rise buildings or noisy industrial facilities may be built in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary under a new status approved by the government and replacing old rules from 1956 that no longer accommodate the present-day spa protection needs.

Karlovy Vary mayor Petr Kulhanek said the approval of the status is important for other spa towns in the country as well.

"The new status is a fundamental instrument to protect the most valuable we have, that is the curative springs and the spa environment," Kulhanek said.

The 1956 status has been amended several times, but the changes were rather detrimental to the spa, deputy mayor Jiri Klsak said.

"After the new status is approved, it should no longer happen that someone will build unsuitable projects in the town, such as the garage house at Imperial Hotel," he added.

The new status bans precisely the construction of garages and motorways on the inner territory of the spa place, the entry of vehicles into the colonnades and adjacent public spaces or flashing and sound advertisements or fireworks with the exception of the New Year's Eve ones.

The new status also bans feeding pigeons, smoking and keeping livestock in the spa centre.

It extends the protective zones of the curative sources restricting the list of activities that can be done there and it protects greenery.

Under the spa law the Health Ministry can fine the breach of the rules with up to five million crowns.

The spa tradition in Karlovy Vary is almost 650 years old. First, baths in hot mineral water were used in treatment. In 1522 drinking cures were introduced.

The effects of treatment are increased by the unique climate in the valley of the Tepla River.

The town is situated on the confluence of the Tepla and Ohre rivers on the edge of the Slavkovsky les protected landscape area.

At present 19 springs are certified as natural curative sources. More than 80 outlets of thermal mineral water and spring gas lie on the town's internal territory.

The spa is destined for the treatment of the digestive tract, metabolism defects, diabetes, gout, overweight, motor system defects and diseases of the liver, gall-bladder and pancreas, and for patients after cancer treatment.