1522
The first mention of what became known as Buková mineral water appears in historical documents. People most probably knew the mineral spring and used
it centuries earlier.
The first mention of what became known as Buková mineral water appears in historical documents. People most probably knew the mineral spring and used
it centuries earlier.
Certain Ottavio Mattoni, a lemons merchant, comes to Karlovy Vary from Italy. He settles in the town, later he marries here and establishes his own business.
The Buková mineral water is approved by experts as suitable for export and the first stoneware bottles are exported abroad.
A humble spa operation starts in the
adjacent village of Kyselka.
The first three chain stores of the Buková mineral water are established in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The honourable citizens of Vienna, Prague and Karlovy Vary could enjoy the mineral water close
to their homes.
By the end of the 18th century, around 240,000 jars of the mineral water are exported annually to Vienna and Budapest, the two major centres of the monarchy at the time.
Wilhelm von Neuberg, the new ruler over Kyselka, takes the first steps to establish
a local spa. He orders a restaurant, a gazebo over the spring, and
several promenades to be built.
Kyselka welcomes a very special visitor - Otto I, the King of Greece. The first 450 jars of the mineral water are sent to Athens on his explicit request, and the main spring has since carried his royal name - Otto's Spring.
A total of 38 spa guests undertaking treatment and 7,324 other visitors are registered in the Kyselka spa as of this date.
A successor to the originally Italian family residing in Karlovy Vary, Mr. Heinrich Kaspar Mattoni, rents the profitable mineral
water export operation from
the lords of Neuberg.
Because of the renowned quality of his water, Heinrich Mattoni becomes the court supplier of mineral water for the Imperial and Royal throne in Vienna. This starts the most famous period in the mineral water's history.
The Mattoni company is established. The "Mattoni Mineral Water" ("Mattoniho kysibelka") becomes one of the best known mineral waters in the world. Its success inspired Mattoni to buy the whole area of the spring from the Count of Černín and to
build a spa and local infrastructure.
Mattoni introduces glass bottles with a paper label as his first innovation. The red eagle
on the label comes from the Mattoni family coat-of-arms. Bottles intended for export overseas are reinforced by wiring.
Otto's Spring becomes one of the most famous medicinal springs in the world in under 15 years thanks to the business spirit of Heinrich Mattoni, who took care of the spring area.
Heinrich Mattoni was ennobled for his merits regarding Imperial health and fame of the Monarchy in the world, and was granted the hereditary noble title of "Free Lord von Mattoni".
The first railway comes to the municipality of Kyselka. It connects Kyselka with the nearest village of Vojkovice and lays the foundation for the greatest flourishing of the local spa care.
In AD 1895 the Kyselka spa registers a total
of 682 patients undergoing treatment and over 36,000 other visitors admiring
the quality of the spring.
A new century comes along. Kyselka is connected to the European railway network, bringing many national and international guests to the spa. The mineral water is awarded the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris.
An influx of foreign visitors comes
along with the flourishing of the spa.
11 Russians, 1 Englishman, 1 Swede, 1 Serb
and 15 Americans are being
treated in Kyselka in 1902.
The development of business activities in Kyselka requires a transformation of the enterprise to modern times of the early 20th century. The Heinrich Mattoni AG (joint-stock) company is established.
Heinrich Mattoni dies on the 14th of May of this year. During his life, he was able to increase the mineral water export from 240,000 to 10 million bottles per year,
making it one of the best brands of the contemporary world.
Shortly after Mattoni's death the golden era of spa care ends as well. The Great War, economic crisis and World War II caused that the spa colonnade was never as idyllic again.
The end of World War II had not brought around the end of troubles for the Kyselka spa either. The mineral water distribution company was nationalized immediately after the war and it was transferred under the company of West-Bohemian Springs.
A metal container with documents from 1884 was discovered in the local Chapel of St. Anna. It contained a message for the next generations - lists of spa guests, contemporary coins or printed materials about Kyselka.
At least a small improvement - the former spa becomes a treatment institution for children from North-West Bohemia with health problems caused by the local environment.
A new hope dawns after the Velvet Revolution - the company of West-Bohemian Springs
with its newly-built bottling facility turns into the Karlovarské minerální vody
(Carlsbad Mineral Water) company.
Spa care in Kyselka ceases
to exist for good, though.
The company is privatized. The Italian business family of Pasquale becomes the new owner of the company and the company returns to its Czech-Italian tradition. The family modernizes the bottling plant significantly.
Mattoni becomes the official water of the Prague International Marathon. It is one of the first partnerships by which Mattoni tries to contribute to a healthier lifestyle
in the Czech Republic.
The Český slavík (Czech Nightingale) music competition is re-established. The names of the best Czech singers are inseparably connected with the brand of its new general partner of Mattoni since 1999.
The first year of the non-alcoholic cocktails mixing competition, the Mattoni Grand Drink, takes place. Gradually it turns into the official world championship
in this discipline.
A new range of flavoured sparkling mineral water is introduced by Mattoni. The first flavours were Mattoni lemon and orange. The brand offers products in a wide scale
of flavours today.
The Italian roots and emphasis on the overall experience form the background of the new Mattoni glass bottle designed by the Italian Pinninfarina studio (designers of the Ferrari cars besides others).
Mattoni launched its support of the "Return of the Golden Eagle to the Czech Republic" project. The eagle has been the traditional brand symbol since the times of Heinrich Mattoni and the symbol of the environment protection effort at the same time.
The Mattoni brand celebrates 140 years since Heinrich Mattoni purchased the Kyselka area along with the popular Otto's Spring - and thus also celebrates 140 years since its establishment.
Mattoni 1/2 Marathon
Mattoni Cocktails
