When wandering through the spa complex, you certainly mustn’t forget to visit and taste the natural mineral springs that flow here. The springs of Luhačovice are very diverse and are divided into two groups: those used for drinking cures and those for balneological purposes. Ottovka belongs to the first group.
The Ottovka spring bears the title of the most popular spring in Luhačovice. It emerges on the right bank of the Upper Olšava River, at the foot of Malá Kamenná hill. Near the Spa Square and the tennis courts. Originally, the spring flowed freely, but in 1905 it was captured in a stone vault. The spring takes its name from a male member of the Serényi family. It was Count Otto Serényi, who lived from 1855 to 1927. The flowing Ottovka is housed in a circular pavilion, which was built between 1929 according to architect Skřivánek’s design. The spring is used for drinking therapy.
The spring became a symbol of Luhačovice Spa thanks to its circular pavilion. The spring is captured from a depth of 1.5 metres. It has an increased content of iodine, iron, boric acid and some trace elements. Ottovka is a natural, very highly mineralised carbonated water of the hydrogen carbonate-chloride-sodium type. The spring’s yield is 3 litres per minute.
Ottovka was even closed in 2005 due to microbiological analysis results that did not comply with the current regulations. The spring naturally catches impurities from the surrounding area, and this, combined with prolonged drought, had a negative impact. A UV lamp was subsequently installed directly at the well, which continuously ensures non-chemical disinfection of the emerging water. UV disinfection creates no harmful by-products and does not affect the taste or quality of the water.
The count after whom the Ottovka spring is named was the son of provincial deputy Gabriel Serényi and nephew of Alois Serényi. In 1879, he took over the management of Luhačovice. He was permanently active in political life. He held the position of chairman of the Red Cross and the association for the fight against tuberculosis. He handed over the spa to a joint-stock company in 1902.
