History of the city of Teplice

According to the legend, the beginnings of Teplice belong to year 762. The first written records are dated into the 12th century, when Benedictine monastery with thermal springs was built. Later on, the archeological investigation based on Celtic and Roman coins shown up that Teplice has been an important spa center since ancient times and which means Teplice is probably the oldest spa center in Bohemia.

Benešovo Square

In middleages, Teplice went through the dynamic development which was interrupted by Hussite wars in the 15th century, leading to ruining of the monastery. In the end of 15th century, Doubravka castle was built on Doubravka hill, an attractive dominant of nowadays. After Thirty Year war, the city of Teplice has been at the edge of breakdown due to the runaway of residents for one thing and most part of the houses destruction for another. In these times, the German population immigrates into Teplice and so completes the depopulated area of Teplice. The spa industry is omnipresent all the time.

Russian tzar Peter The Great

In 1712, Russian tzar Peter The Great visited Teplice and was enchanted of being there. The big fire in 1793 was like a catalyst of the development when the most part of the city houses had burnt out. Given the growing fame of spa in those times, the housebuildings have been reconstructed in an opulent classicist style which is typical for Teplice nowadays.

The golden age of Teplice when being known as a little Paris is the 19th century. In 1813, the Battle of Kulm, one of the significant battles of Napoleonic Wars, was held near Teplice. An important summit of Russian tzar Alexander I, Austrian emperor Franz I and Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III in order to set method of operation against Napoleon was held in the city of Teplice, the key place of this event.

During the 19th century, many leading European personalities have come to Teplice. Among others Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Frederyk Chopin, Ferenc Liszt, Caspar David Friedrich, Swedish king Gustav IV and other artists, writers, painters and monarchs.

Leading European guests

Ludwig
van Beethoven

Richard
Wagner

Frederyk
Chopin

Ferenc
Liszt

Caspar
David Friedrich

In the second half of the 19th century, many other businesses have started to develop besides spa industry (glass factory, porcelain factory in Dubí, coal extraction around Teplice atc.).

Château Square

After WW2, the German population has been moved away from Teplice and so the city become genuinely Czech.

The appearance of the city has been changing, new housing quarters have been being created, the old housebuildings have been replaced with the new one. After 1989, the neglected city of Teplice has been recovering from the degradation and spa and cultural traditions have begun to revive. Thanks to it, Teplice is again the most imposing city of the northern Bohemia nowadays.