Luhačovice

Sister cities

• Ustroń
• Topoľčany
• Piešťany

History

The first written mention of Luhačovice is from 1412. At the end of the 16th century, Luhačovice became the centre of an estate that included 12 villages. After the Battle of White Mountain, the estate was acquired by Maximilian of Liechtenstein. He sold the estate soon and from 1629 until 1945, the estate belonged to the Serényi family. The Serényis were the first to make use of the mineral springs in the area and who built the spa. In the second half of the 17th century, Count Ondřej Serényi had adjusted the first spring, later named Amandka after another member of the family, Amand Serényi. Another spring was adjusted in around 1760 and later renamed Vincentka after Vincent Serényi. Reports of the healing power of Luhačovice springs spread, and the first inn for spa guests was built in 1789. In the late 18th century, new houses, inns and Chapel of Saint Elizabeth were built in the vicinity of the springs.

Geography

Luhačovice is located about south of Zlín. It lies in a hilly landscape in the Vizovice Highlands. The highest point is the hill Brda at above sea level, located in Řetechov. The town occupies the valley of the stream Luhačovický potok with an elevation of about 250 m above sea level. The eastern part of the municipal territory extends into the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area.