Franz's Spa

Františkovy Lázně (German: Franzensbad) was founded on 27 April 1793 as the Village of Emperor Franz and in 1807, it was officially named Františkovy Lázně (English: Franz's Spa). The spa is named after Franz I, Emperor of Austria, who is considered as its founder. The initially rural spa with a single spring known as Františkův pramen (Franz's Spring), a wooden colonnade, a few spa houses and a Social House soon became one of the most sought-after European spa resorts.The original village with lanes and the present-day Národní třída (National Avenue) serving as the spa promenade was broadened by three parallel streets to form a town layout. In order to achieve a genuine spa ambience, the current historical centre was surrounded by a wide belt of English parks that were to change the village into a garden town. All newly-built streets lead along the green belt, creating one of the most enchanting spa resorts in Europe – a spa embraced by a sea of parks and forest parks. In 1865, Emperor Franz Josef I. raised Františkovy Lázně to the status of a town. After connecting to the railway network in Saxony, Bavaria and Bohemia, the spa became a truly world resort and during its golden days before World War I, it was annually visited by up to 20,000 patients and almost 80,000 so-called “passer-by’s” – spa tourists. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, staying at the spa at least once in a year became quite fashionable among the high society. After World War II, the spa complex was nationalised and a single state-owned enterprise almost equal in size to the town itself was founded under the name Československé státní lázně a zřídla (Czechoslovak State Spas and Springs). Using the contemporary language, the spa served the working people and only a small number of foreign clients. The good level of medical care provided by physicians and medical staff was retained, however, the therapeutic facilities and spa houses were only renovated, and the development of the spa stagnated. In 1991, the majority of the therapeutic facilities were taken over by the joint-stock company Lázně Františkovy Lázně, a.s., which introduced a comprehensive plan of the reconstruction of all spa houses, as well as its concept of returning Františkovy Lázně among the world spa resorts. A similarly challenging plan was set out by the town management and today, newly-opened pensions and therapeutic facilities are being successfully run by private entrepreneurs. In 1992, Františkovy Lázně was declared an urban monument reserve and this began a completely new chapter of the history of the spa town. 

http://cestovani.kr-karlovarsky.cz/en/pronavstevniky/Turistickecile/AJ/Pages/FrantiskovyLazne.aspx

Loket Castle

The history of the town of Loket

At the beginning of the 13th century, Loket, a royal castle was built on a landmark promontory within the Ohře River bend. It used to be called the "Key to the Czech Kingdom". Soon after, a small town, first mentioned in 1288, arose below the castle. In the early 15th century the royal town was fortified and turned into an important focal point of the Czech Crown. In the course of the 19th century, the town became famous for its local porcelain factory. However, industrial production was located in the surrounding towns. The town regained its former fame in the time of beginning tourism bloom, when the local area of great natural beauty and numerous historical monuments became increasingly popular with holidaymakers and romantics.

Attractions of the town of Loket

The most visited historical monument in the town is Loket Romanesque castle from the early 13th century. In the days of the House of Luxembourg, the castle served as a temporary residence of members of the royal family. During the Thirty Year War it was conquered and plundered by Swedish troops. The abandoned castle burnt down in 1725, and was rebuilt into a regional jail in 1822. In the late 20th century, the castle underwent a complete reconstruction and was subsequently open to the public. The dominant feature of the castle is a massive square tower. The gallery on its top offers a magnificent view of the town of Loket and the Ohře River valley. The castle museum features an exhibition of products from local factories, weapons, and an archaeology exhibition. Several floors of cold and damp dungeons with a torture demonstration are hidden in the underground. Below the castle stands a late Gothic parish church of St. Wenceslas with Baroque features. It was built after a fire in 1473. Not far from Loket Baroque town hall in the square you can find a magnificent Baroque column with a sculpture of the Holy Trinity with a triangular ground plan by sculptor Johann Karl Stülp from 1719. Another tourist attraction of the town is a family brewery known as Saint Florian, founded in 2006, which resumes the tradition of beer brewing in Loket. In a romantic setting of the space below the castle lies a unique natural amphitheatre hosting various cultural events, theatre and opera performances, concerts and festivals, in front of the exquisite scenery of the lighted castle looming high above the Ohře River.The small town of Loket, situated within the Slavkov Forest Protected Landscape Area, is surrounded by beautiful countryside and as such serves as a starting point of several marked tourist routes. The most popular trail will lead you from Loket through a romantic valley of the Ohře River past a protected granite rock city known as the Svatoš Rocks all the way to Karlovy Vary. The whole valley is only accessible to pedestrians and cyclists and therefore is a favourite destination for walks and relaxation. You can rent a canoe or raft in one of Loket boat rentals and go down the river through its deep canyon. 

http://www.karlovyvary.cz/en/castle-loket

Marianske Lazne

Mariánské Lázně - one of the most beautiful spa towns in Europe, a historical gem amidst the beautiful green of the mountain forest (Slavkovský les) that is rich in healing mineral springs making it one of the most important centers of culture in the West Bohemian region. During its short but impressive history, Mariánské Lázně became a world famous spa center, giving the right to be called one of the jewels of the Czech Republic. More than 200 years ago this area was a uninhabitable lonely swamp full of dense forests. When we look at the town today with its beautiful parks, colonnades and spa hotels, it is hard to believe this is the same place. For 200 years the town has existed for its inhabitants and spa guests alike, all of whom are amazed by the beauty of the local nature , the ability to use the wealth of healing, enchanted by the unique atmosphere of this town. 

http://www.marianskelazne.cz/en/marianske-lazne

Museum Moser in Karlovy Vary

History of the Moser glassworks is historically associated with the name of Ludwig Moser (1833 - 1916), one of the most outstanding personalities of glass manufacturing in the world. He first opened his own shop and engraver´s workshop in the centre of Karlovy Vary and in the same town in 1893 he starts production in his own glass workshop, which has been operating successfully until today. Within a short time he gained the reputation as the most prestigious producer of crystal in the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy. The titles of the court suppliers of emperor Franz Joseph I (1873), Persian shah Musaffereddine (1901) and king Edward VII of England (1908) further increased the reputation of the crystal and the interest of other politicians and emperors. Then, in the year 1922, Moser glass manufactory became the biggest producer of luxurious drinking and decorative glass in Czechoslovakia. The success of Ludwig Moser, whose heritage has been developed since then, consists in the production of ecologically friendly lead-free crystal, of a unique colour spectrum, specially designed by the most prestigious designers and in excellent hand manufacturing. To develope this tradition, Moser glass manufactory co-operates with the most talented designers, glassmakers, cutters and engravers, whose craftsmanship helps create masterpieces in their branch. From its very beginning, its products are being presented in the most important world exhibitions, in which they have been awarded with important awards. Special pieces of art require a selected international sales network. The first specialized shop Moser was opened in the centre of Prague in 1925. Since that time, the inland sales have spread to three more brand shops and by exclusive representatives worldwide. Nowadays, the glass manufactory is a joint stock company with entirely Czech capital and approximately 320 employees. 

http://www.moser-glass.com/en/pages/history-of-moser-glassworks-and-moser-crystal/

Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene is located in the very heart of the Karlovy Vary spa area, in the close proximity of the Hot Spring. The church bears the hallmarks of the High Baroque architecture and it is one of the most important Baroque monuments not only in Karlovy Vary, but in the entire Czech Republic. It was built in 1737 on the site of the former Gothic church. Its interior is decorated with a precious altarpiece, Baroque Eucharist sculptures, Gothic Madonna and other decorations. The church can be viewed during worships, which the church of St. Mary Magdalene conducts every day.

http://www.karlovy-vary.cz/en/church-st-mary-magdalene 

The Anglican church of St. Luke

This Pseudo-Gothic style church was built in 1877 on the Castle Hill. Its construction according to plans by Josef Mothes took place with the financial support of English spa guests. This charming red brick building with the floor layout in the shape of a cross and a wooden tower can be found near the Hotel Bristol on the Castle Hill, on the outskirts of the park.

http://www.karlovy-vary.cz/en/st-luke-anglican-church

Karlovy Vary Art Gallery

The gallery presents a permanent exhibition of the most significant and most valuable works of art collected here since 1953. The gallery displays paintings and statues by Czech authors. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the gallery also organizes short-term exhibitions, concerts and theater performances. Another project that has been going on since 2000 is a public educational program (mainly designed for the schools of Karlovy Vary.

http://www.inyourpocket.com/czech-republic/Karlovy-Vary/What-to-see/Activities-and-Sights/Art-Gallery_85838v