Frantiskovy Lazne (German: Franzensbad) is a small spa town near the city of Cheb in western Bohemia. The city is located near the border with Germany. Together with the neighboring Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary, it forms the famous West Bohemian SPA triangle. The historic city center is a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage.
The population of Frantiskovy Lazne is 5355 people. The distance from Prague is 200 kilometers.
History of the city
Frantiskovy Lazne is known worldwide as a SPA resort. The healing effect of local sources has been known since the late 14th century. George Agricola (1494 - 1555) in his writings speaks of the water that the inhabitants of Cheb drink. According to the laws of that time, water from sources brought into the city was used for charitable purposes. This water was later bottled in clay bottles for sale. In 1700, more mineral water was sold from local keys than at all the resorts of the empire combined. Around 1705, a hotel was built on the site of a mineral geyser known as Franzenskwell.
The modern city was officially founded in 1793. During the time of Emperor Francis II, it was called Kaiser Franzensdorf, later it was renamed Franzensbad. Under this name he became famous.
The SPA center was founded by a physician Bernhard Adler (1753 - 1810), who helped transform the marshy area with trails and walking paths into a famous resort. He helped expand existing facilities for those seeking healing.
In 1791, Dr. Adler built a new pavilion and swimming pool in Franciscwell. In this way, he provoked the discontent of numerous women who earned their living from the extraction, transportation and sale of mineral water in Cheb. Not wanting to lose their source of income, they fiercely resisted the doctor’s plans and eventually destroyed his building. The city council sided with the doctor and assisted in the restoration and transformation of the premises into a sanatorium. A magnificent recreation area was created and transport links with the city of Cheb were established.
Celebrities staying here
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was one of the very first famous guests. His visits to Franzensbad with Johannes Urzidil were described in detail in Goethe in Bemen. Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the first to visit this resort, accompanied by Antonia Brentano and her family.
In the 19th century, many aristocrats, especially Russian nobles, were patients of famous doctors practicing here, which strengthened the reputation of Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzensbad) as an exclusive resort. The world's first peat bath was opened in Frantiskovy Lazne, the reviews about it were the most enthusiastic. Among the ladies she was very popular.
The public SPA house was built in 1827.
The writer Maria von Ebner-Eschenbach immortalized her stay here in her early work Aus Franzensbad in 1858.
Other prominent guests included Theodor Herzl, Emperor Francis Joseph I, and Archduke Charles I.
In 1862, Franzensbad received an autonomous municipality and three years later city privileges.
Years of crisis
After World War I, the resort began to lose its prestige. As part of the new state of Czechoslovakia, the health resort lost many of its guests and was severely affected by the Great Depression of 1929.
After the Second World War, the German and Hungarian population was expelled from Czechoslovakia, deprived of citizenship and property in accordance with Benes decrees. Many of them settled in Bayreuth in German Bavaria.
SPA facilities were nationalized under the influence of the Communist Party. After the “velvet revolution” of 1989, a joint-stock company was created, which sought to improve the status of Frantiskovy Lazne and make it more attractive to foreigners.
SPA
Natural water from local springs has a unique composition - it contains a large amount of carbon dioxide and sodium sulfate. A high effect of carbon dioxide baths is observed in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammatory processes in the body, and rheumatism. Taking mineral baths improves blood circulation in the tissues and contributes to vegetative stabilization.
A mud bath has a thermal, chemical and mechanical effect; this is a traditional healing method. The combination of healing mud and mineral water is heated to a temperature that is much higher than body temperature. Treatment has a positive effect on muscle pain and mobility.
The local spa corporation is the largest in the Czech Republic.
Types and methods of spa treatment
In Františkovy Lázně, treatment is based on the basic SPA procedures, during which natural healing resources are used:
- Thermotherapy (parafango wrap, mud wrap, paraffin wrap).
- Hydrotherapy (mineral bath, mud bath, foam bath, hot tub, underwater massage).
- Massages (acupressure massage, aromatherapy, reflexive foot massage, classical, lymphatic drainage, linear massage of the lower extremities, anti-migraine, reflexive).
- Kinesitherapy (group therapeutic exercises, individual exercises in the pool, manual therapy).
- Therapy with carbon dioxide (gas injection, dry carbon dioxide bath).
- Relaxation massage (chocolate, honey, hot stone massage, Hawaiian).
- Other procedures (hydrocolonotherapy, electrotherapy, inhalation, magnetotherapy, oxygen therapy, ultrasound).
By permission of the Czech Ministry of Health, natural healing resources are used - mineral water and peat from local deposits.
Thermotherapy: mud wrap
The peat used for wrapping comes from the Frantiskovy Lazne region. This is sulfur-trivalent peat with a large share of reed. It is used in powdered form mixed with water, which is heated to 42-43 ° C. Minerals contained in peat penetrate the skin. High temperature increases blood circulation in the body, and also improves metabolism, which accelerates the absorption of inflammatory infiltrates and relaxes both skeletal muscles and smooth vascular muscles. The treatment time is 20 minutes.
Hydrotherapy: carbon dioxide bath
For carbon dioxide baths, natural mineral water is used from the Stephanie spring. The water temperature is from 33 to 34 ° C, it is a hypothermic bath. The feeling of cold disappears after a few seconds, when the bubbles of carbon dioxide create a continuous film on the surface of the skin. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the skin and causes a chemical reaction in the body, first expanding the blood vessels near the surface of the skin, and then the deep blood vessels. In general, reviews indicate that blood perfusion improves, blood pressure drops. Mineral baths are used, among other things, for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological and urological disorders. The treatment time is 20 minutes.
Mud bath
The peat used for the bath comes from the Frantiskovy Lazne region. This is sulfur-trivalent peat with a large share of reed. Peat is added to the mineral water from the Stephanie spring. While swimming, the whole body heats up. After the bath, the patient feels pleasantly relaxed. The patient reviews contain information that the effect of the mud bath is also analgesic, bactericidal and virucidal. Duration - 20 minutes.
Hydromassage bath
This is a bathtub for the whole body, the temperature ranges between 36 and 38 ° C. The circulation of water and air currents leads to massage, improves blood circulation to the limbs, improves metabolism and stimulates skin cells. Hydromassage helps to cure lymphatic tumors, rheumatic diseases and post-traumatic conditions. Also useful for patients with muscle atrophy, peripheral paralysis and diabetes. Duration - 20 minutes.
Carbon Therapy: Gas Injection
Gas injections are a type of reflexive therapy. Used medicinal 100% carbon dioxide, which is injected under the skin in a maximum amount of 200 ml per session. The initial effect may be uncomfortable or even painful, but after a few minutes it turns into a pleasant, warm feeling. The skin around the injection site turns red for a short time. The reviews suggest that carbon dioxide causes the expansion of small blood vessels, which in turn leads to muscle relaxation and pain relief. Repeated applications improve tissue nutrition.
Dry carbon dioxide bath
The procedure is carried out in a sitting position. The legs and part of the body below the patient’s waist are in a plastic bag filled with medicinal 100% carbon dioxide. Gas quickly penetrates the skin, even through clothing. There is an expansion of blood vessels, first at the surface of the skin, then deep. As patients say, due to this effect, blood pressure throughout the body decreases, blood supply to the lower extremities improves, and inflammatory manifestations decrease. Elevated carbon dioxide levels have a positive effect on kidney function. The effects of a dry carbon dioxide bath are almost identical to those of a mineral bath, so this treatment is suitable even for people with skin conditions. The procedure lasts 20 minutes.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound converts electrical energy into mechanical and thermal energy, thereby massaging tissue at the micro level. Frequencies between 0.75 and 3 MHz allow targeted processing of deep subcutaneous structures. This leads to improved blood perfusion and tissue nutrition, relaxation of muscle contractures, softening of scars and reduction of edema. According to reviews, for musculoskeletal disorders, the effect of ultrasound is analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Duration - up to 10 minutes.
Inhalation
Mineral water is used for inhalation, which improves the function of the respiratory mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Water is effective against inflammation, dissolves sputum and relieves cough. With severe difficulty in breathing, you can add medications to the water. In normal cases, natural salts or plant extracts are added to the water. The procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes.
During their stay in Frantiskovy Lazne, hotels offer a wide range of wellness balneotherapy treatments.
Sources Frantiskovy Lazne: indications for treatment
Typically, the duration of treatment is 21 or 28 days. Therapy is prescribed to patients by their doctors. The duration and content of therapeutic procedures is determined by the medical staff of the sanatorium on the basis of examination of the subject upon his arrival at the SPA center. The doctor prescribes the exact composition of the water treatment and SPA procedures.
A trip here is indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, gynecological diseases, hypertension, metabolic disorders and endocrine glands, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Almost all health resorts Frantiskovy Lazne (Czech Republic) have mineral springs on their territory. The water temperature in them is from 9 to 11 ° C. Of the 21 sources, part is used for drinking, while others are used in various SPA procedures. Numerous springs can be found in colonnades and pavilions located in the SPA zone.