Budapest in Hungary isn't the only city famous for thermal waters that bubble out from deep underground. The Czech Republic has its own hot springs. People from all over the world come to see them. The main hot springs town here is called Karlovy Vary. It is named after the first king of the Czech Republic, Charles IV, or Karel in Czech. This city has been around since the 1300s and has been used as the perfect place to relax and heal for almost 700 years.
Karlovy Vary has 13 large thermal springs and 300 smaller springs throughout the city. That's a lot of hot water! These springs push up from beneath the earth and rise to the surface. Many of the springs join the Teplá River that runs through the center of the town. Other springs burst out of the dirt as geysers, sending water high into the air. Some hot springs make their way to the surface with a gentle flow and form calm pools. But don't be fooled! These calm pools can still be very dangerous. The water that comes out can be as hot as 140 degrees.
