Teplice

Teplice is a city in the north-western part of the Czech Republic, in the Ústí nad Labem Region and the administrative center of Teplice District. It lies on the Elbe river near the German border, in the historic land of Bohemia. The city has about 50,000 inhabitants.

Teplice is one of the oldest spa towns in Central Europe. Mineral springs have been known there since medieval times, and spa facilities expanded in the early modern period. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Teplice became a fashionable resort for European nobility and visitors seeking therapeutic baths. The spa district features historic bath houses, colonnades, and parks that reflect its long tradition of health and leisure.

In the 20th century Teplice experienced the political and demographic shifts that affected the border regions. After World War I it became part of Czechoslovakia, and during the Nazi era it was incorporated into Germany as part of the Sudetenland. After World War II the German-speaking population was expelled and Teplice was reestablished in Czechoslovakia.

Today Teplice remains a regional center for tourism, culture, and services, with its economy partly anchored by spa-related activities. The city hosts theatres, galleries, and cultural events that showcase its architectural and historical heritage. Its location near the German border supports cross-border cultural and economic ties, and transportation links include rail connections to Prague and Dresden and access to major highways.