Sloup vděčných Maďarů

Sloup vděčných Maďarů (Column of Grateful Hungarians) is a modest yet meaningful monument standing on a hillside in the southern part of Karlovy Vary, just below the Imperial Hotel and near the town's art gallery. This granite obelisk was erected in 1883, funded by Hungarian spa patients who wanted to express gratitude to the town for the healing effects of its mineral springs. The work was created by L. Tröger, a local Karlovy Vary sculptor known for several other monuments and small memorial objects around the town.

What does the column look like?

The granite obelisk is decorated with gilded dedication inscriptions in three languages: German, Hungarian, and French. This choice of languages was no coincidence — it reflects the international character of Karlovy Vary in the second half of the 19th century, when the spa town attracted patients from across Europe, including a substantial number of Hungarian aristocrats and burghers, at the time part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The multilingual inscriptions were meant to underline the donors' gratitude toward the town and its spa tradition, while also making clear that the monument was commissioned by a specific national group of visitors.

Why did Hungarians build a monument in Karlovy Vary?

In the 19th century, Karlovy Vary was one of Europe's most important spa resorts, drawing patients seeking relief from digestive, liver, and rheumatic ailments through treatment with local mineral waters. Among the many visitors was a strong contingent of Hungarian patients, for whom a stay in the town often brought genuine improvement in health. The erection of the column in 1883 was therefore a form of public thanks — a practice typical of the era, when satisfied spa guests funded monuments, benches, or commemorative plaques to mark their stay and express appreciation for the resort.

Where exactly is the monument located?

The column stands on a terrace on the slope below the Imperial Hotel, in a quiet, green part of town, offering views toward the spa valley — particularly striking at sunset or sunrise. Nearby, on the rocks below the monument, stands the 18th-century wooden Dorotin pavilion, an Empire-style structure from 1791 that adds further interest to a walk through this part of the town.

How do you get to the column?

The site can be reached via a roughly 1.1-kilometer walking route through the spa center, taking about 30 minutes on foot. Alternatively, city buses MHD lines 2 or 7 stop at Richmond, from where it is only a short walk to the monument.

Who is this attraction for?

Sloup vděčných Maďarů is a destination primarily for those interested in the spa town's history and its multinational tradition, as well as for walkers who enjoy combining scenic views with lesser-known landmarks. It is a small but distinctive feature of the Karlovy Vary landscape, fitting naturally into a route heading toward the Imperial Hotel and the art gallery.

Frequently asked questions

When was the monument built? The column was erected in 1883.

Who funded the monument? It was funded by grateful patients from Hungary, who benefited from the healing properties of the Karlovy Vary springs.

Who created the sculpture? The work was created by Karlovy Vary sculptor L. Tröger.

What languages are the inscriptions written in? The dedication inscriptions were made in German, Hungarian, and French.

What is located near the monument? Right next to it, on the rocks below, stands the 18th-century wooden Dorotin pavilion from 1791.