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I'm planning a trip to Karlovy Vary, Czechia (aka Karlsbad, Czech Republic) to do research for my historical novel-in-progress. My initial idea was to visit the locations in the story. take numerous photographs and notes, and soak in the atmosphere to make my novel more vivid and authentic.
Many of these locations are tourist sites, such as the Elisabeth Spa, where my novel's protagonist works. Austrian Emperor Franz-Josef built the opulent baths to honour his late wife Elisabeth (Sisi). The spa opened in 1906. My novel takes place in 1914 during the months leading up to World War One. On my short visit to Karlovy Vary thirteen years ago, I saw the Elisabeth Spa building and its gardens and park setting. On this refresher trip, I'll get a peek inside by enjoying swimming and relaxation pools. Research is tough work.
During my trip planning, I discovered that Karlovy Vary has an excellent museum with exhibits on the history and development of the town since the 15th century, famous Karlovy Vary doctors and visitors, and local crafts, art and
historical collections. Might the museum have archives that I could view with advance notice? It also occurred to me that the municipal library must have books of local interest not available elsewhere. I emailed both institutions about my research trip and explained that my novel was inspired by my 2013 visit to Karlovy Vary and my maternal grandparents who immigrated to Canada from Czechia shortly after WWI. I received helpful and enthusiastic replies.
Librarian
Kateřina Krieglsteinová advised me to check the Karlovy Vary Library’s online catalogue and send her a list of
books that interest me. She will have them available when I arrive and
supplement them with other relevant books. In addition, she offered to arrange
a walking tour of the city with an English-speaking guide knowledgeable about
local history, a visit to the Karlovy Vary Museum exhibits, and, as a benefit
to the library, an informal, evening talk about my writing and ancestors in Czechia for their
readers. Since I don't speak Czech, she'll try to find a translator.
David
Čech from the Karlovy Vary Museum replied that he and two historians will be available to show me their museum archives that include old maps, photographs, postcards, and official documents. He supplied the historians' email addresses so I could contact them directly and about a dozen links to websites with historical information. One of these was the “Kurlisten,” which lists every spa guest in Karlovy Vary from 1795 to 1949. I had recalled reading that Sigmund Freud was in Karlovy Vary at the outbreak of WWI and made him a character in my novel even though I couldn't find confirmation of his visit anywhere on the internet. I asked David about this. He sent me an article stating that Freud "took the cure" in Karlovy Vary from July 13 to early August, 1914, as well as the "Kurlisten" page that records his arrival on July 13, 1914. My novel had Freud arriving a month earlier, but now I've altered the timeline to make his story appearance historically accurate. This will involve a number of changes, but at this first draft stage of writing, the revision isn't drastic.
I also asked one of the historians about current spa culture in Karlovy Vary. It's still a thriving industry, but the pictures I've seen show treatments done in modern facilities. I like to experience one in a historical atmosphere. The historian said I'd be disappointed; the old ways are all gone. He suggested I visit the building of the former imperial spa, which has been renovated into a cultural centre and museum. I hadn't known this building existed. I emailed it and learned the facility offers guided and audio guide tours of its displays of the golden era of the spa industry in the early 20th century. I'll definitely add this to my itinerary.
My research trip idea began as a relaxing jaunt through the footsteps travelled by the characters in my historical novel. I'd stroll down the river promenade, enjoy leisurely lunches at cafes to gather details for my story's fictional cafe, and hike to historic viewpoints. I'll still do all these things and more -- library and museum visits, guided tours, evening talk with readers who don't speak my language. It feels overwhelming but exciting.
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| Imagine Karlovy Vary in 1914 |
