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Where Is Karlovy Vary’s Mysterious 13th Spring? The Truth Behind the Missing Number
If you’ve ever looked closely at the list of Karlovy Vary’s mineral springs, you’ll notice something strange: the springs are numbered 1 through 15, but number 13 is missing.
Was it skipped due to superstition? Does it even exist? Or is there something more behind this mystery?
Let’s uncover the real story behind Karlovy Vary’s elusive 13th spring.
Does the 13th Spring Exist?
Yes — it does. The so-called 13th spring is real and goes by the name Dorotka Spring (Pramen Dorotka). It’s located about 300 meters uphill from the Imperial Hotel, just off the road leading toward the Slavkov Forest.
But here’s the catch: it’s not part of the official drinking spring circuit.
What Makes Dorotka Different?
Unlike the classic mineral springs of Karlovy Vary, Dorotka is not a gushing thermal flow but a natural outlet of carbon dioxide (CO₂) with a small amount of mineralised water. In essence, it is a gas spring.
Specific parameters of Dorotka:
- Temperature: 13°C — the lowest of all springs in the resort
- CO₂ flow rate: approximately 45 litres per minute — one of the most powerful CO₂ outlets in the region
- Year of first record: 1884
- History: disappeared unexpectedly in the 19th century, reappeared only in 1993
Today the spring is closed to visitors — the pavilion above it is locked and there is no public access. It is used exclusively for scientific monitoring: geologists maintain continuous observation of CO₂ levels in the region. Dorotka is not applied for drinking therapy — which is exactly why it is excluded from the official list of drinking springs.
The Myth of the Missing 13
This has become a popular joke and tourist tradition. Becherovka is indeed called the “thirteenth spring of Karlovy Vary” — ironically suggesting it “heals” no worse than mineral water.
The joke has a real foundation: Becherovka has been produced in Karlovy Vary since 1807, and its recipe includes 20 herbs and Karlovy Vary mineral water as one of the ingredients. The connection to the springs is real — just indirect.
The actual reason for the absence of position 13 in the list is not superstition. It is a simple fact: Dorotka is not a drinking spring and has no public access.
How to Find It?
The Dorotka spring is located near the Richmond Hotel, in the southern part of the spa zone. The pavilion above the spring is locked — entry is not possible. From the outside you can see a small structure, but there are no facilities for visitors.
If you want to see all the official drinking springs with a route, map, and descriptions — they are all covered in our article on all 13 springs of the resort.
→ All 13 Karlovy Vary Springs: Complete Guide
Conclusion
The 13th spring in Karlovy Vary does exist, but it was excluded from the official numbering system for a practical reason — it doesn’t provide drinkable water. No superstition, no conspiracy — just science and hydrogeology.
Now you know the secret behind the spring that’s missing from the map.
→ Vřídlo Geyser — why it’s special: Read
→ Why doctors prescribe a specific spring: Read
→ Drinking Cure in Karlovy Vary — how a course works: Read
