Spa Libverda

Tales about the healing quality of Libverda spring soon reached the Dresden court of the Saxon ruler and elector August I, who had a few gaskets of the healing water brought over from Libverda in 1583. In 1593 the properties of Libverda spring were examined by Paul Luther, son of the famous religion reformist and his private physician. Luther himself acknowledged the water’s healing qualities and had it transported to Dresden on a regular basis.

Later on, the miraculous water had been regularly sent to Albrecht of Wallenstein, owner of the Frýdlant estate from 1622, who suffered from syphilis. The first report on the healing effects of the spring was made in 1601, by the physician of the town of Hirschbek, Silesian doctor Caspar Schwenkfeld, who – referring to his research – recommended drinking it to treat a variety of illnesses. His report says that the local spring of healing mineral water had been known from the end of the 14^th century and called by the Jemnice pilgrims “Divine Water”, "Bierwasser" or "Bierborn". The spring received a ring from a hollow lime-tree trunk. Based on the above appreciation the water was made basic bath ingredient of contemporary owners of the estate.

In 1784, a mineral analysis of the original Libverda spring was carried out by Dr Joseph Heinrich Bauer. Based on this analysis the healing water started to be bottled and sent to Prague under the trade name „Chabeso“(an alcohol-free drink on lactic acid base with fruit juice flavourings imported from Tyrol). It was sold at No. 555 Jesuitengasse, Prague, today No. 160 situated right on the Royal Way at the corner of Karlova and Husova Streets.

A report of 1785 says: "The water has a salutary effect on the brain, nervous system, mood stimulation, heart beat acceleration, stimulation of inner organs activity, and eliminates disorders of the nervous system."

In 1785 a new abundant spring was uncovered and called "Stahlbrunn", after the visibly ferrous water. It is the today’s Maria Spring.

In the same year the oldest spring, Divine Water Spring (called Christiansbrunnen, most likely after the founder of the spa), covered with a small roofed stone structure, was analysed. Lasting pollution caused by a flood in 1794 made it unusable and the spring was filled up with soil. In 1786, 1793, 1805 and 1818 further springs rising just next to the spa buildings were opened and called after members of Clam-Gallas family – Maria, Vilemina (1805), Josefina (1805), Eduard (1818), Bierbon and Hubert.