Franzensbad

Františkovy Lázně, the smallest town in the "spa triangle", which also includes Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, is one of the most charming spa towns in the Czech Republic. In their vicinity is not only the historic town of Cheb, but also the border with Germany and the picturesque landscape, which makes Františkovy Lázně a very popular tourist destination. The face of the town has the character of spa towns of the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, when our spa was in full bloom.

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Interesting facts Franzensbad

History of the town

The beginnings of the spa in Františkovy Lázně date back to the 15th century, when the healing effects of the local springs were generally known. Before the establishment of its own spa, František's spring, formerly known as Slatinná kyselka, played an important role. The source was well known and its fame slowly spread throughout the world. Filled in ceramic bottles, the sourdough was distributed throughout Europe and became increasingly popular.

In the period after the Thirty Years' War, the number of spa guests increased and accommodation capacities in the town soon ceased to be sufficient, and accommodation in nearby Cheb was again not very practical due to the distance. For this reason, a complex of spa buildings was built directly at the spring and on April 27, 1793, Františkovy Lázně was founded, initially named as the Village of Emperor František and later, from 1807, definitively as Františkovy Lázně after František I., who founded it. Thirteen years later, Františkovy Lázně was promoted to a town.

Initially, Františkovy Lázně took the form of a country spa with one spring and a wooden colonnade, a social house and several spa houses. Gradually, their fame grew and Františkovy Lázně soon became the most sought-after European spa. Today, we know Františkovy Lázně as a magnificent spa town with exhibition houses.

Sights and interesting places

Since 1992, Františkovy Lázně has been a city monument reserve and currently there are a number of interesting places in the vicinity.

Among the church buildings, let us mention the evangelical church, designed by Karel Haberzettl, which is conceived as a three-nave basilica with Romanesque elements. The church was consecrated in 1880. Another interesting building is the Orthodox Church of St. Olga, completed in 1889, or the Church of the Exaltation of St. Crosses, completed in 1819 and one of the most beautiful Empire buildings in Bohemia.

To the southeast of Františkovy Lázně there is a remarkable place called SOOS Františkovy Lázně. It is a national nature reserve with swamps, mud volcanoes and a dry lake.

The social house INGO Casino, which is an inseparable part of Františkovy Lázně, is certainly worth mentioning. It was originally intended to be a community center for spa guests. The building was conceived in the Classicist spirit, later a Neo-Renaissance part was added, connected to two older buildings. It was completed in 1877.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová