Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) was treated a total of five times in Františkovy Lázně between the years 1884 and 1891. Despite of the strict prohibition of his physician, he busily continued to work at the spa. In 1884, he composed his famous Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz) here, and he dedicated the first six bars to Františkovy Lázně in 1893 on the 100th anniversary of the spa’s establishment. Strauss’ stays are commemorated by a memorial plaque on the building known as “Město Petrohrad” (Dr Pohorecký Street 55/14).
The author of the memorial plaque is the academic sculptor and medallion maker Zdeněk Kolářský. The ceremonial unveiling on the 200th-year anniversary of Johann Strauss’ death was also attended by the Austrian ambassador.
