The Hot Spring Colonnade has once again opened to the public, but repairs continue

Karlovy Vary – The Vřídelní Colonnade has reopened to the public in Karlovy Vary after the relaxation of anti-coronavirus measures. However, due to ongoing reconstruction, people still cannot access the thermal spring hall. The entire building has been closed since March 13 due to government regulations.

The drinking fountains with the Vřídlo spring are again freely accessible, and the sale of souvenirs will also be resumed. For now, only a few stalls are operating. There are not many customers yet, and after the colonnade opened today at 10:00, there were only a few visitors. The hall with the famous Karlovy Vary spring, which is undergoing reconstruction, remains closed.

According to the deputy mayor of Karlovy Vary, Petr Bursík (ODS), work on repairing the emergency state of the colonnade is ongoing, but the completion deadline will likely be extended to next year. Originally, the city wanted to finish the repairs before the start of this season.

"The roof structure, the load-bearing structure of the ceiling, has been repaired, and a new view has been installed. The scaffolding has been removed, and a tender has been held for the removal and construction of a new structure between the basement and the thermal hall," described Bursík. The city has also commissioned assessments of the condition of the glass pyramid above the colonnade. According to Bursík, the process of awarding contracts through tendering is extending the completion timelines for repairs.

Unlike other Karlovy Vary colonnades, the Vřídelní Colonnade is a closed building. The springs in the other colonnades have been closed to the public since April 1 and were reopened on April 27. However, the number of spa guests is minimal due to the closed borders and the fact that until today, spa houses could only accommodate clients receiving comprehensive spa treatment covered by health insurance.