One of the first to
record the oldest Karlovy Vary legend about the discovery of the geyser known as
the Sprudel by Charles IV was the renaissance physician Dr Fabian Sommer, a
native of Karlovy Vary. In his book on the use of Karlovy Vary's waters from
1571, he relates the story thus:
"It is said that
Charles IV once went hunting in the woods, in the hilly areas and valleys where
now the hot springs do bubble up. The woods in this place were full of game.
During the hunt, one of the hounds started to run after an animal. Whilst
following it, the hound fell into a pool where hot water does now burst from the
ground. The hound began to howl in pain. The hunters ran to the hound, believing
it to have been wounded by the animal it had been chasing. The marvel which they
saw amazed them greatly. They stepped closer, pulled the hound from the pool,
and then tasted of the hot water which had so distressed the hound.
The entire event was reported to the Emperor Charles IV, who then went in large
company himself to marvel at this singular wonder of nature. In the presence of
his physicians, the wise ruler said that such hot water may drive off many grave
ailments, and that it was beneficial and invigorating. Then he himself used the
water (it is said that he had an afflicted leg), and sensed assuagement and
improvement. The ruler was overjoyed at this, and soon gave orders that the
whole place be settled, and that around the springs, houses be built. The place
where the Emperor used that water was, according to information, in that place
where once stood the municipal bath and where the guildhall now stands. At that
place the spring wells up whose waters do not burst forth excessively, and are
but warm. It is related that in this place, many years ago, a seat was cut into
the rock on which the ruler sat, and wherefore it was named the Seat of the
Emperor Charles. And yet this place is no longer to be found, and on it the
guildhall has been built.
After the water had effected its cure on him, the Emperor Charles had a new town
built on this spot. He wanted it to be walled about for protection, but his
intents were thwarted by yet more pressing happenings. That it should be so can
be seen up to this day from the fragments of protective wall which are under the
Deer Rock. On this Deer Rock many collapsed cellar vaults can also be seen. Aged
citizens do say that it was the intention of the Emperor Charles to build on the
said hill a castle for the protection of Karlovy Vary. Even the name of the town
bears witness to its discoverer, for it is named the bath of the Emperor
Charles, Karlovy Vary."