ILaB at Museum and Science Night: from peat to Mark Twain

This year, the Institute of Spa and Balneology joined the Museum and Science Night. Together with other municipal and regional institutions, we contributed to a varied programme that offered the public a chance to explore science and regional history in an unconventional way.

For the first time since relocating, we opened our premises in the Alžbětiny lázně (Elisabeth Spa). In individual rooms, visitors could view and try out some of the topics we work on at ILaB – ranging from natural healing resources to regional development.

At the station focused on natural healing resources, visitors could handle different forms of peat and mineral mud (slatina). On a blank map, they could test their sense of orientation by marking towns and well-known mineral springs of the Karlovy Vary Region. At the physiotherapy station, they learned how simple exercises can help the body cope with movement difficulties. In the section devoted to regional development, a themed quiz awaited them, showing just how broad a field regional development can be. And in the last room, visitors could first guess the purpose of historical objects and then arrange significant events and personalities – such as Mark Twain, who called Mariánské Lázně an "Austrian health factory" – along a timeline of the history of spa culture in the Karlovy Vary Region.

Partners:

• Museum of Karlovy Vary, a contributory organisation of the Karlovy Vary Region
• Podzemí vřídla (Spring Underground) – Administration of Natural Healing Resources and Colonnades (SPLZAK)
• Castle Tower – Karlovy Vary City Information Centre
• Art Gallery – Becher Villa
• Police of the Czech Republic, Regional Directorate of Police of the Karlovy Vary Region

We would like to thank everyone who came to visit us, as well as all our partners.