Poděbrady (IPA: [ˈpoɟɛbradɪ]) is a beautiful historical spa town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It lies on the river Elbe just 50 km east of Prague (30 minutes by a car - Highway D11). Surrounded by meadows, woods and a natural park, the town is ideal for recreation and outdoor sports. A historic milestone in the life of the town was the year 1905, when it was visited by the German estate owner Prince von Bülow. This well-known water diviner found in the inner courtyard signs of a strong spring, which was later really bored to a depth of 97,6 metres. The discovery of carbonic mineral water resulted in the openig of the first spa season already in 1908. After World War I Poděbrady rapidly changed into a spa town which from 1926 specialized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rapidly gaining renown not only in this country, but also abroad. The history of Poděbrady reaches back to primeval times, long before the beginnings of the Czech state. A long-distance trade route running from Prague to eastern Bohemia and then on to Silesia and Poland passed through the then forested landscape interwoven wit a dense network of river branches. This important communication intersected the River Elbe to the west of the present town - at the place called Na vinici. An ancient community and a small fortress originated near the ford. It is most likely that the position of this community is reflected in the present name of the town - Poděbrady - "pode brody" = below the ford.