Bílina
Bílina (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbiːlɪna]; German: Bilin) is a town in the Teplice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on the river Bílina. It is known for its comforting and relaxing spas with source of strongly mineralized healing water Bílinská Kyselka (Biliner Sauerbrunn in German). From 1938 to 1945 it was one of the municipalities in Sudetenland.
Location
The historical town of Bílina lies in the valley of the river Bílina, between the tops of the Central Bohemian Massif and the range of the Ore mountains. It is situated between two bigger cities, Teplice and Most. In the south the mountain Bořeň, which resembles a lying lion, is looming.
History
The name of the town originates from the adjective white (bílý; bielý). The term Bielina symbolizes 'white', without any wood or the flowing river Běla.
The very first written mention of the settlement (then a seat of a province) dates back to 993 and comes from Chronicle of Bohemians, where a battle between Bretislaus I and the German emperor Henry III was depicted.
Before the half of 13th century Ojíř of Friedberk built a new castle in whose settlement round a castle a town with bulwarks and three gates was built. In the High Middle Ages German settlers were called into the border area of Bohemia, itroducing German city law. Germans formed the vast majority, culture and history until their expulsion in 1945.
During 1420 the town of Bílina was kept by Albrecht of Koldice well-known with his anti-hussite attitude. Thus, Bílina was surrounded and conquered by a Hussite Jakoubek of Vřesovice who gave back the town of Bílina to dynasty of Koldice in 1436.
Since 1502 the town of Bílina was owned by House of Lobkowicz whom this town was returned to in 1989 during restorations.
Bílinská Kyselka mineral springs and Spa
In 1702 princess Leonora of House of Lobkowicz got mineral spring cleaned and the very first spa guests began to come. In the end of 19th century the spa Biliner Sauerbrunn (means "Carbonated springs from Bílina" in German) became a pride of the town. City Bílina also received a nickname "Vichy of Germany". According to the digestive pastilles produced here was also a worldwide common name for the digestive regulators and laxatives "Seidlitz Powders." Lozenges are made from mineral water Sedlitz bitter water, which was also used in the local spa balneology.
The scientific description of the medicinal properties of local water treatment have contributed to significant balneologists Franz Ambrosius Reuss, August Emanuel von Reuss and Josef von Löschner. Father and son Reuss are in the spa Bílina his memorial, which dominates the spa central park.
In 1878 a big spa house in a pseudorenaissance style was built. The architect was Franz Sablick. The next favourite place became "Josephs Quelle" spring temple, Forest café, built from a wood pavilion in Swiss style. 2 225 000 bottles of Bílinská Kyselka mineral water were exported in 1889. The biggest purchaser was Germany.
Another turning point in the history of spa was a changeover in 1989. The House of Lobkowicz got back a part of original property including Spa of Bílinská Kyselka. The spa was sold to a private company.
Places of interest
- The Lobkovic château - built in the years 1675-1682 on the site of original gothic castle
- Hussite bastion - a monument of the massive town fortifications
- Townhall - the art nouveau building built in the beginning of the 20th century, is the town's pride.
- Bílinská Kyselka Spa - Spa complex of buildings, mineral spring housing, cafes and natural forest amphitheater.
- Bořeň - large phonolite mountain, dominating the city and its surroundings.
- St. Peter and Paul's church - not only a house of God, but also a valuable monument
Culture and Sport
A modern stadium has witnessed many good sport feats. In the new millennium an original ice-hockey hall was built in Bílina. A local swimming pool, built in 1931, has always been the site of very popular entertainment.
Twin towns
Bílina is twinned with
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