Karlova Studánka

Karlova Studánka (German: Bad Karlsbrunn) is a spa municipality and village in Bruntál District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 200 inhabitants. The village is well preserved and protected as a village monument zone.

Karlova Studánka
Municipality
Centre of Karlova Studánka
Flag Coat of arms
Karlova Studánka Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°4′23″N 17°18′25″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Moravian-Silesian
District	Bruntál
First mentioned	1554
Area
• Total	1.55 km2 (0.60 sq mi)
Elevation	775 m (2,543 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	172
• Density	110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	793 24
Website	www.kstudanka.cz

Geography

Karlova Studánka is located about 13 kilometres (8 mi) northwest of Bruntál. It lies in the Hrubý Jeseník mountain range. The highest point is the rock Rolandův kámen at 910 m (2,990 ft) above sea level. The village is situated in a valley of the Bílá Opava River, a tributary of the Opava.

History

The first written mention of Karlova Studánka is from 1554, under its original name Hinnewieder. The first spa buildings were built in 1782. The village was renamed Karlsbrunn/Karlova Studánka (i.e. "Charles' Spring") in 1803 in honour of Archduke Charles, who defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Aspern-Essling.^[2][3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 50 —     1880 42 −16.0% 1890 50 +19.0% 1900 45 −10.0% 1910 67 +48.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 71 +6.0% 1930 149 +109.9% 1950 331 +122.1% 1961 230 −30.5% 1970 244 +6.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 261 +7.0% 1991 228 −12.6% 2001 230 +0.9% 2011 215 −6.5% 2021 138 −35.8%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Economy

House No. 3, so-called Slezský dům

The main employer in the municipality is the spa company Horské lázně Karlova Studánka (meaning "mountain spa Karlova Studánka"). It employs more than 100 people.^[6] Therapeutic elements include a climate with very clean air, natural carbon dioxide and mineral water, which is used for carbonic baths and peat wraps, inhalation and drinking.^[7] Today the spa company is owned by the state.^[8] It specializes in the treatment of dusty lung diseases and non-tuberculous respiratory diseases.^[3]

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sport

In the municipality is a small ski area called "Pradědova aréna". There is a 550 m (1,800 ft) long ski slope with a lift.^[9]

Sights

Pitný pavilon and the main street

The built-up area is protected as a village monument zone for its exceptionally well-preserved and complete set of spa houses and facilities, mainly timbered. The buildings dates from the 18th century, and were modified and supplemented during the 19th century.^[10]

The spa includes a park with a geological exposition of rocks and an artificial waterfall.^[7] The most notable building is the wooden Pitný pavilon ('drinking pavilion') from 1895, where the Wilhelm Spring is located.^[11] The waterfall was built in the 19th century and has a height of 20 metres (66 ft).^[2]

A notable monument is the Church of Our Lady of the Healing of the Sick. It was built in the Empire style in 1838–1840, on the initiative of the Teutonic Knights order.^[12]