Františkovy Lázně guide
The town of Františkovy Lázně is located in the district of Cheb, in the Karlovy Vary region and has a permanent population of approximately 5,500. According to medicinal indications, the local water has positive effects on diseases of the heart and circulatory system and 23 springs are actively used.
Accommodation
Františkovy Lázně offers almost 60 different accommodation offers, whether you are planning a spa or wellness stay. You can be pampered in one of the many spa hotels (Imperial Spa & Kurhotel, Hotel Reza, Wellness Hotel Ida), there are also pensions (Pension Rossini, Pension Three, Pension Josef) or apartments (Revlton Studios Františkovy Lázně, Ubytování Poustka).
History
The effects of the local healing springs have been known since the 15th century, when this water was used not only by the locals, but was sold throughout Germany. The town was founded in 1793 as the Village of Emperor Francis, later it was officially granted the name of Františkovy Lázně, according to Emperor Francis I. The founder of the spa is considered Dr. Bernhard Adler, a native of Cheb. The original rural spa quickly became one of the most sought-after European spas. The village with one spring (Františkův pramen) and a wooden colonnade was extended by other roads and took the form of a town. Today's historic center has been surrounded by a wide range of English parks to achieve a true spa environment - creating one of the most beautiful spas in Europe. After connecting to the railway network in the period before the First World War, Františkovy Lázně is experiencing its greatest prosperity.
After the Second World War, the spa was nationalized and only a small percentage of foreign clients were treated here. In 1992, Františkovy Lázně was declared a city monument reserve.
Sights and tips for trips to the surroundings
There are many monuments in the city, such as the monument to Božena Němcová, who visited the city several times, the monument to the soldiers of the American army who liberated the city, but the most famous symbol is the statue of František. It is a statue of a little boy with a fish, according to local legend, every female patient who touches the toe of the left foot of the statue becomes pregnant. There are also several interesting churches in the city, such as the Orthodox Church of St. Olga, the Evangelical Church of St. Peter and Paul or the Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
In the vicinity of Františkovy Lázně we can find many interesting excursion places. One of the most interesting is certainly the SOOS National Nature Reserve, where you will find a large peat bog with rich springs of mineral waters, mud volcanoes and a number of geological, zoological and botanical attractions. On the way to SOOS you can also stop at the Butterfly Farm.
Seeberg Castle from the end of the 12th century is also a popular excursion destination.
Near Františkovy Lázně is the youngest volcano in Central Europe - Komorní Hůrka.
On the edge of Františkovy Lázně lies the pond Amerika, the largest reservoir of its kind in the Cheb region.