The Mill Colonnade is the grandest of Karlovy Vary's four famous colonnades — a stunning 132-metre promenade lined with 124 Corinthian columns that will make you feel like you've stepped straight into the 19th century. Whether you're sipping mineral water or simply soaking in the elegance, this place is an absolute highlight of any visit to the spa town.

Built from sandstone in a neo-Renaissance style between 1871 and 1881 to a design by architect Josef Zítek, the colonnade runs alongside the Teplá River in the very heart of Karlovy Vary. The balustrade is adorned with 12 allegorical sculptures representing the months of the year, and in summer the colonnade transforms into an open-air venue for concerts and cultural events. In cooler months, steam rising from the thermal springs adds a wonderfully atmospheric touch to the whole scene.

• Karlovy Vary town centre — the colonnade sits directly on the riverside promenade along the Teplá River, an easy walk from anywhere in the spa district, difficulty: easy

• The colonnade covers five mineral springs, including the famous Mill Spring
• Water from the Mill Spring is bottled and exported abroad
• Regularly used as a venue for concerts and social events
• Listed as a cultural monument since 1958

Look up at the attic balustrade and you'll find the 12 allegorical figures of the months, sculpted by Alfred Schreiber and Karel Wilfert the Elder and installed in 1881 — a charming detail that rewards the curious visitor.