Origins
Spiritual beginnings
Sacramental bread can be considered the predecessor of spa wafers. Starting in the Middle Ages, these were baked over an open fire in metal, so-called “wafer” tongs, later also used for baking classic wafers.
AS TIME WENT BY WITH SPA WAFERS
Legend of the creation of wafers
It is said that behind the creation of the spa wafers was a skilled chef from the monastery in Teplá, who was once tasked with preparing a dessert for guests. It occurred to him to use a waffle iron to bake the sacramental breads and to improve the dough of water and flour by adding sugar and milk and sprinkling a mixture of nuts, sugar, cinnamon and other fine spices between them. And the delicious delicacy was born.
1856
Made in Mariánské Lázně
Wafers are an inherent part of life in Czech spas. In Mariánské Lázně, the production of this specialty dates back to 1856.
1897
Legendary confectionery family
The first Czech confectionery in the borderlands where true Mariánské Lázně wafers were introduced belonged to the Wittmayer family, headed by František Wittmayer. By the close of the 19th century, his products were amongst the most renowned sweets in the land.
1923
Inventor of chocolate wafers
A man named Josef Homolka was the most important figure in the post-WWI history of the production of spa wafers in Bohemia. He invented the first chocolate spa wafers in the same year that radio broadcasting began in Czechoslovakia.
1948
Post-war period
After World War II, the production of spa wafers went from private hands to state-run factories. However, this did not interrupt the tradition of their production. In 1950, their production was concentrated in the former Victoria Café in Mariánské Lázně.
1958
Traditional triangles
The late 1950s ushered in the production of the first spa wafer triangles. They were originally cut by hand with a circular saw. Automatic machine cutting began in 1961.
1970 - 1972
Renaming the factory
In the early 1970s, wafer production was modernized and mechanized. In 1974, the factory was reconstructed and the Mariánské Lázně enterprise received its current name of Kolonáda.
2014
The latest product
The most recent addition to the Kolonáda family has arrived. Beloved cocoa wafers with a vanilla cream filling.
Today
Sweet tradition in a modern guise
Kolonáda spa wafers continue to be the most sought-after thanks to their quality. The secret of their success lies in the proven recipe and strictly followed production technology that requires care and time.