Karlovy Vary is a spa town in Bohemia, named after Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It saw its grandest days in the 19th century, when "taking the waters" was all the rage in Europe. The Orthodox church pictured above dates from 1893-97. Presumably, the church was built for the city's Russian community and visitors. Spa treatments remain popular among people from the former USSR, and you are likely to run into many Russian speakers in Karlovy Vary. When I spent a few days here in 2001, many of the hotels flew Russian flags, and the hotel I was staying at even offered two or three Russian TV channels. From what I gather, Czechs resent the Russian cultural influence, but welcome the investments the Russians bring in.

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