Vřesová studánka, Mountain spring in Kouty nad Desnou, Czech Republic.
Vřesová studánka is a mountain spring on the southern slope of Red Mountain in Kouty nad Desnou, in the Czech Republic. The water rises naturally from the ground and sits along marked hiking trails in the Jeseniky mountains.
A religious building was put up near the spring in the second half of the 17th century, which suggests it was already drawing visitors at that time. A church was built in the 19th century and still stands near the site today.
A local story tells of a forester who saw a wounded deer recover after drinking from this spring, which led people to regard it as having healing properties. Walkers still stop here today, and the spot has a quiet, well-worn feeling that comes from long use rather than recent promotion.
The spring is reached on foot via marked trails, and some sections can be steep, so good footwear is helpful. It is worth starting early in the day if the weather looks uncertain, as conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
In June 1921, heavy rain triggered a large landslide that moved an enormous amount of soil and reshaped part of the slope around the spring. The terrain still shows the uneven ground left behind by that event, which visitors may notice without knowing the reason.
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