Photos

Members of the retinue of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV march through the center of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). This traditional parade is part of the gala opening of the spa season in the city that bears his name. Why? On 14 August 1370, Charles IV gave city privileges to the place that subsequently was named after him, according to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs.

For those who would like to know more about this great figure: Charles IV, of the House of Luxembourg, was Holy Roman Emperor from 1355 until his death in 1378. Born in Prague to John the Blind and Elisabeth I of Bohemia, educated in France, played a key role in the history of the Czech lands. He concentrated his energies on the economic and intellectual development of Bohemia. Prague became his capital, and he rebuilt the city on the model of Paris. In 1348, he founded the University of Prague, the first university in Central Europe. Soon Prague emerged as the intellectual and cultural center of Central Europe. In the present Czech Republic, he is still regarded as Pater patriae (father of the country).