Jeffrey Lash

Touring the hot springs at Karlovy Vary.

It is said that Charles IV set out hunting from the nearby castle of Loket and ended up in this region with its hills and valleys and hot springs.  During the hunt one of the dogs started to chase a stag.  During the chase the dog fell into a pool of spring water.  The dog started to howl with pain.  Hunters who heard the dog yowling rushed to him thinking it was hurt.  Instead, they found the dog scared by the hot water.  On 14 August 1370, Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, ordered a settlement built around the spring.  Today, the “stags leap” is a popular attraction for visitors.