The picturesque spa Luhacovice is situated in the eastern part of Moravia. The spa's great treasures are its mineral springs. The city of Luhacovice not only offers therapies, but also sporting and cultural activities including possibilities of active rest, repose and relaxation in beautiful and pleasant surroundings.
Luhacovice was initially a village belonging to Lukov castle. It is historically documented in the mid 14
th century. The local
'salted' waters became known after 1668 when Dr.
Hertod of Brno first described them. The spa itself was founded in 1789. The modern development of Luhacovice dates back to the early 20
th century and is connected with the work of physician Frantisek Vesely, M.D.
The six spa institutes of which two specialize in the treatment of children, use the 10 alkalimuriatic springs and
the hydrogen sulphide spring for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, disorders of the digestive tract, diabetes and obesity. The best known springs are the Vincentka and Arnlandka. Vincentka mineral water is bottled and exported.
The Luhacovice Baroque castle was built in 1738 on the site of an earlier 17
th century structure. Notable are also the spa houses (e.g., the Institute of Hydropathy, Jestrabi, Jurkovicuv dum, Januv dum, Slovensky dum) built to projects designed by the Slovak architect Dusan Jurkovic who was inspired by Wallachian architecture.
Luhacovice was often frequented by
composer Leos Janacek and is the venue of the annual international cultural summer festival. The spa has a swimming pool, an open air swimming pool and tennis courts. Two km from the spa is the Luhacovice dam lake on the river Olsava (40 ha) built in the
years 1912-28 to protect the spa from floods. The lake provides an opportunity for swimming, water sports (there are boats to be rent) and is also the starting point for tours of the woods nearby with many marked nature trails. In the southeast, along the Moravian-Slovakian border rise the White Carpathians, a wooded mountain range stretching 90 km in length and 20 in width between the wide valleys of the rivers Morava and Vah. 17 km southeast of Luhacovice is the mountain village of Stary Hrozenkov, the venue of annual summer folklore festivals. 11 km southwest of Luhacovice is Uhersky Brod, an ancient town with a partly preserved fortification, two Baroque churches and a 16
th century castle. Uhersky Brod is said to be the birthplace of
preacher and teacher Jan Amos Komensky - Comenius.
The most dominant feature of the spa's square is the Large colonnade, with its spring Amandka and Vincentka. Luhacovice's healing waters are provided by 14 alkaline springs and 1 sulfur spring. They serve mainly to treat illnesses of the breathing passage, digestive organs, gall bladder, and spine, and to the treat diabetes. The famous Brussels fountain was added in 1960.
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