Janske Lazne is a recreational centre and
spa in the Krkonose mountains, 15 km northwest of Trutnov. The curative springs here were already known in the medieval age under the name of St. John's Teplice (Teplice Svatojanske). The local spring were already known in the 11
th century and the first reservoiring instalation was constructed in the 14
th century. The analyses done after 1920 proved that in content and effect, the local mineral water is identical to
the Hot Springs in the U.S.A. In 1935 the first European Institute for post-treatment of polio in children was founded here and Janske Lazne was the first in Europe to employ the methods developed in Hot Springs.
Eneas Cardinal Silvius bathed in the local spa well in 1451 and consecrated the St. John Chapel which became a place of pilgrimage. In 1657 the spa already had its own spa house. In 1902 the little town purchased the spa.
The spa area developed quickly after the First World War. It was found that the spa springs have the same effect as those of Warm Springs, Georgia, and USA. The Institute for the Treatment of Post-Poliomyelitis Trauma was established here in 1935 and the spa thus became the first place in Europe to treat polio patients.
Janske Lazne, has
30 radioactive, thermal and mineral springs of which the Jan (John) and Cerny (Black) springs are channelled into a pool. The spa concentrates on the treatment of post-operative and post injury trauma, post polio disorders and trauma caused by nervous
and muscular disorders.
Janske Lazne is an important winter sports centre in the Krkonose Mountains with a tobogganing course, ski-jump, skiing area and cable lifts and cable ways. A cable-lilt with 56 cable cars links Janske Lazne and Cerna hora (1299 m). Janske Lazne is the point of departure for tourist tours to the eastern part of the Krkonose Mountains.
Considered by many local people to be one of the prettiest towns in Krkonose with the spa building and
the colonnade facing each other over a delightful park with a beautiful rose garden. The position of the town nestled in the valley at the base of Cerna Hora 1299 m (Black Mountain) lends itself to sporting pastimes such as walking, skiing, mountain biking and further up the mountain excellent snowboarding. Janske Lazne is also famous for its spa that treats people with walking difficulties. Lots of good pubs and restaurants are available as well as saunas and a swimming pool. The cabin lift to the top of Cerna Hora offers great views of Krkonose.
The spa Janske Lazne has
thermal springs of 18 to 32°C.