Carlsbad - Culture

The Czech city known today as Carlsbad (or Karlsbad) is known locally as Karlovy Vary. It has a population of just over 56,000 people and is located in the northwest region of the Czech Republic, in Bohemia. Karlovy Vary is one of the best-known health spas of Europe. Its hot mineral water is especially useful in the treatment of digestive diseases. The medicinal springs, known for centuries, attracted European aristocrats before World War I. The region also is noted for its china, glass, and porcelain industries.

Besides being known for its healing spas, the region also is host to the Karlovy Vary Film Festival||, one of the oldest film festivals in the world. The festival began in 1946 when the first event, a non competition festival of films from seven countries took place. Above all it originated as a means to screen the results of the recently nationalised Czechoslovak film industry. The Karlovy Vary Film Festival Foundation was set up in 1993. It was co-created by the Ministry of Culture, The City of Karlovy Vary, and the Grand Hotel Pupp. Actor Jirí Bartoška became the festival's president, and Eva Zaoralová became program director in 1995. Since 1998 the festival has been carried out by Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary. The core of the festival is a feature film competition. There also are competitions and screenings in many other categories.

Besides hosting the film festival, the region also is building a film industry and has been the choice location for a number of film shoots in recent years. The city has been used as the location for a number of films, including the 2006 film “Last Holiday” and the recent box-office hit “Casino Royale”. Both of these films featured the city's Grand hotel Pupp in different guises. For students, there also is a summer film school in Uherské Hradište. Here you can watch non commercial films and can meet and interact with the film directors.

Besides film schools, there is a week long jazz seminar for young musicians in Frýdlant each year. This amazing event attracts the participation of the best Czech and international jazz personalities who serve as instructors. At the end of the session, there is a traditional “dream concert” of the instructors in the courtyard of the Frýdlant Castle.

There also are a good number of outdoor festivals held here throughout the year. The International Folklore Festival, held annually in Straznice, is one of the oldest and largest festivals of its kind in all of Europe. Here you can experience early traditional music, both Czech and Moravian.

We offer a great selection of luxury rental accommodations throughout the Czech Republic. Our offerings include houses, villas, cabins and apartments. Our rentals feature saunas, hot tubs, swimming pools and also a maid service for an additional fee.