Kopeckého pramen

Kopeckého pramen is a small natural monument tucked away in the Lochotín district of Plzeň, just a few kilometers from the city's historic center. This mineral spring accompanied the residents of Plzeň for nearly two centuries and today offers an unusual stop for visitors looking beyond the city's famous brewing heritage.

Where does the spring's name come from?

The name honors Martin Kopecký, a mayor of Plzeň, on whose initiative the spring was captured and developed in 1833. At the time, the water was used for drinking cures, and part of the flow was piped to a newly built bathhouse nearby. The spring itself received the name "Kopeckého pramen" only half a century later, in 1883, in tribute to the mayor who had given the site its first formal development.

Why is this site protected?

The area around the spring was declared a natural monument on June 13, 1984. The subject of protection is the mineral spring itself, which carries significant historical and cultural value for Plzeň — one of the few remaining traces of the city's old balneological tradition, from an era when local waters were believed to serve residents' health.

What does the spring water contain?

Chemical analysis has shown notable levels of iron, manganese, sulfates, and carbon dioxide in the water. By today's criteria, it no longer formally qualifies as mineral water, though in the past it was treated more as a natural healing water — which explains the long-standing tradition of drinking cures tied to this location.

How do you get to Kopeckého pramen?

The site is easy to reach from central Plzeň. The most convenient way is by tram to the Boženy Němcové stop on Karlovarská avenue, from where it's less than a ten-minute walk to the grounds of the city hospital, where the spring is located.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors still drink the water today? The available facts don't confirm that the water is currently offered for consumption — the drinking-cure tradition dates back nearly two centuries, and the water's present non-mineral classification suggests it no longer serves that original purpose.

How does a natural monument differ from a nature reserve? In the Czech Republic, a natural monument (přírodní památka) is a protection category usually covering a small but valuable natural or geological feature — in this case the mineral spring itself, rather than an extensive area of land.

Is it worth combining a visit with other sights in Lochotín? Thanks to its proximity to the tram stop and the city hospital, Kopeckého pramen is easy to fit into a walk through this part of Plzeň, especially for visitors interested in the city's lesser-known local history.