Marienbad is an old spa town, developed at the beginning of the 19th century in a valley where several excellent healing streams spring from the ground, though its inhabitants were aware of the springs as early as the 1200s. In 1528, King Ferdinand ordered these springs to be examined for salt content. In 1805–1807, Dr. Johann Josef Nehr founded the first brick house for spa guests near the Cross Spring (Křížový) called 'The Golden Globe', built on the site of a former wooden cabin. In 1812 it arises municipality of Marienbad from the decision of Karel Kašpar Reitenberger (abbot of Teplá Premonstrate Monastery). Numerous cultural, scientific and political personalities came from all over the world to visit Marienbad:

Edward VII, British King, took annual holidays here

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and statesman

Frédéric Chopin, Polish composer

Alfred Nobel, Swedish innovator

Richard Wagner, German composer

Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher

Franz Joseph I, Austrian Emperor

Mark Twain, American author

Emmy Destinn, operatic soprano

George S. Patton, General of the United States Army

Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister

Leonid Shamkovich, Russian chess Grandmaster

In 1865, Marienbad was declared a city by Franz Joseph I.

The spa life remained active till these days.