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| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA | CZECH REPUBLIC |
| Zlínský kraj | Zlín region |
| Okres: Zlín |
| DE: | Luhatschowitz |
Luhačovice is situated at an altitude of 250 m in the valley of the Sťávnice river and is Moravia's largest spa town.
The place was first mentioned in a document of 1412 as a possession of the castle of Lukov (Luggau).
The mineral springs were first described in 1668; the spa was opened in 1789.
The modern development started at the beginning of the 20th century. The waters from ten alkalimuriatic springs and one hydrogen sulphide spring
are predominantly used for the treatment of respiratory, digestive and metabolic diseases. Many of the characteristic spa building date
from the early 20th century and were built by the architect Dušan Jurkovič who was inspired by Wallachian folk architecture.
The
Mineralní lázně (Kurhaus; Spa house) [left], also named Janův dům (Jan's House) after the
spa's owner, Jan Nepomuk Serény, was built in 1822 by Franz Wasitschek.
The
Jurkovič House was built in 19011902 by the architect Dušan Jurkovič.
It replaced the original Jan's House of 1822.
The new building is the key structure of Dušan Jurkovič erected in Luhačovice.
A thorough oberhaul was carried out between the years 2000 and 2002.
The
Inhalatorium was built in 19221923
by the architects Josef Skřivánek and Jan Vodňaruk in classicizing modernist style with formal atributes
to Czech cubist architecture.
Truly remarkable are some of the technical furnishings preserved from the pioneering period of spa treatment (e.g. working decompression chambers made of
lead featuring pressure-resistant windows and door seals including measuring equipment). Jan's spring (Janovka) comes to surface inside the Inhalatorium.
At the time of completion, it was one of the largest inhalation facilities in Europe owing to the spa's specialization in inhalation treatment of the
upper respiratory tract.
Villa Austria [left, no.396: top picture]
was built in 18841886 vor Mr. Seichert, pharmacist and operator of a mineral water shipping company.
The architect is unknown.
The building is still a residential house with a pharmacy. There is a new art gallery on the ground floor.
Dům Bedřicha Smetany
was built in 19081909 in geometrical Art Nouveau style by the architect Emil Králik.
Following major repairs carried out in 1993-1995, the building has continued to serve as an upscale hotel.
The
Community House was built in 19331935 by the architect František Roith.
The building gave the spa a large hall for socializing and other glamorous facilities where guests could enjoy their free time.
In spite of obvious Functionalist features, the building's design is very "classicist" and attests to the architect's strong feelings
for pre-war Modernism and Monumentalism as well as for superb details close to Art Deco aesthetics.
The building is still used for hosting social events in its social and gastronomical parts as well as in its accommodation part.
Hydrotherapeutic Baths (?), built in 19011902 by Dušan Jurkovič.
[Texts adapted in part from http://www.lazneluhacovice.cz/en/spa-architecture.php]