MARIENBAD, a watering-place in north-west Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, situated on the south-eastern outskirts of the Cisafs147 Les at an altitude of 2,093 ft. amidst delightful sur roundings, enclosed on all sides except the south by gently slop ing hills clad with pine forests intersected by lovely walks. Although its mineral springs have been known for centuries and are mentioned in a document dated 1341 as belonging to the abbey of Tepla, they attracted few people until Josef Nehr, the doctor of the abbey, demonstrated their curative properties during the period 1779-1820, and the town did not receive a charter until 1868. After this date it grew rapidly in popularity and is now one of the most frequented spas in Europe. The waters are cold and varied in composition, some, like those of Carlsbad, being alkaline-saline but of greater strength, others being rich in iron, and are used in the treatment of liver troubles, gout, diabetes and obesity. Most are used for bottling and drinking but the cure also
involves a carefully regulated diet; the water is also bottled and exported in large quantities. In addition to the springs there are peat baths very rich in iron. The town is small and well-built, most of its hospitals, bathing establishments and other public buildings being quite modern.
In the vicinity lie many places of interest, e.g., the rock of Podhorn (2,776 ft.), about 3 m. E., with extensive views of the Bi5hmer Wald and Erz Gebirge, and, about 7 m. E., the old abbey of Tepla., founded in 1193 though the present building dates from the 17th-18th centuries and has a fine library and collection of rare manuscripts; and, to the north-east, the small spa of Konigswart. Pop. (1923) 6,909.
See Lang, Fiihrer durch Marienbad and Umgebung (Marienbad, 5902).