Franzensbad combines spa town history with opportunities to spend time in green surroundings. The town is one of the eleven spa towns in the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Great Spa Towns of Europe.” This gives you a range of ways to shape your stay: you can explore the resort’s history and architecture, plan walks in the parks, or discover the landscape of the nearby Soos Nature Reserve.

Spa town history at the museum

The current exhibition at the Městské muzeum Františkovy Lázně documents the history of the spa town, from the discovery of the Františkův pramen spring to the 20th century. It also covers local architecture and the development of balneological methods. Its themes thus range from the town’s history and architectural heritage to the development of spa treatments. If you would like to discover Franzensbad through more than its open spaces, the museum offers several points of interest related to its history.

On display are historic views of the spa town, a wooden pipe that supplied water from the Františkův pramen spring, dating from the mid-18th century, and the original “František” statue by Adolf Mayerl, created in 1923. The views, the object relating to the spring, and the statue highlight different aspects of the exhibition. Together with the themes of architecture and balneology, they offer a concrete insight into various facets of the town’s history.

Park trails and two landscape experiences

Today, Franzensbad’s parks cover more than 250 hectares and are crisscrossed by dozens of kilometres of park trails suitable for walks around the spa town. The extensive trail network and a single signposted route offer different ways to plan a walk. The orange Srdíčková Route is 2.2 kilometres long and passes the colonnades at Solný pramen and luční pramen. Its length and two named stops provide a concrete framework for planning. Local conditions may change; check the latest route information before setting out.

The Soos National Nature Reserve, in the vicinity of Franzensbad, offers another landscape experience. A 1.2-kilometre educational trail there passes through peatlands and wetlands, as well as across the bed of a former lake with mineral water. In contrast to the Srdíčková Route, the wetlands and former lakebed are the focus here, while the route passes two spring colonnades. This gives you a choice of different walking and nature themes. Access conditions at Soos may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Theatre, travel and finding accommodation

Divadlo Boženy Němcové also offers a cultural focus. Its wide-ranging programme includes plays, operettas and concerts; touring companies and a local amateur theatre group perform there regularly. The programme may change. If a particular guest performance or concert is important to your trip, check the latest dates.

Franzensbad can be reached by road, rail and air. Check the connections and timetables that suit your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Žírovice, Wilkowitz, Schönbach, Wildstein, Dürrmaul, Untersandau, Habakladrau, Roßbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Eger District.