Statue of Franz-Joseph I in front of the Císařské lázně

The statue of Emperor Franz Joseph I stands in front of the Císařské lázně (Imperial Baths) in Františkovy Lázně, one of the most recognisable buildings in this West Bohemian spa town. The bronze figure depicts the longest-reigning ruler of Austria-Hungary holding a document inscribed "Franzensbad MDCCXCIII" — a reference to the imperial decree of 27 April 1793 that authorised the construction of the first public and private buildings in what would become the new spa town.

Who created the statue, and when?

The sculpture was made by the Czech sculptor Josef Václav Pekárek (1873–1930), who worked mainly in a portrait-oriented, Art Nouveau-influenced style. He based the emperor's likeness on an official photograph taken in 1908, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Franz Joseph's reign. The slightly bowed tilt of the head, characteristic of that photograph, was carefully carried over into the bronze portrait.

How is the emperor depicted?

Rather than the military uniform typically used in ruler portraits, Franz Joseph I is shown in the ceremonial dress of the Order of the Golden Fleece, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious chivalric orders, complete with the order's medal hanging from a gold chain. This choice gives the figure a formal, almost ceremonial presence, fitting for a monument dedicated to the founder of the spa town.

What is the history behind this particular statue?

The statue's history is unusual for a monument standing in a spa garden setting. Until 1919 it decorated the interior of Prague's main railway station, meaning it was created while the Habsburg monarchy still existed and spent decades in an entirely different context — as part of the decor of one of the most important railway hubs in Central Europe at the time. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary and the establishment of Czechoslovakia, symbols of the former monarchy were widely removed from public spaces, which most likely explains why the statue disappeared from view for decades afterward.

When was the statue placed in front of the Imperial Baths?

The statue was ceremonially unveiled in its current location, in front of the Císařské lázně building in Františkovy Lázně, on 25 September 2004. The ceremony was attended by Otto von Habsburg, grandson of Emperor Franz Joseph I and, for decades, one of the most recognisable figures associated with the legacy of the former Habsburg monarchy in Central Europe. His presence gave the event a symbolic dimension: the return of the monarch's image to the very town that owed its founding to his decree closed a loop stretching back to the late 18th century.

Why is this monument worth seeing?

The statue brings together several threads essential to understanding Františkovy Lázně: the town's founding as a spa authorised by imperial decree, the turbulent 20th-century fate of Habsburg-era symbols, and a more reconciliatory contemporary approach to that history, visible in the unveiling ceremony attended by a descendant of the dynasty. Standing in front of the Imperial Baths — one of the spa's most distinctive buildings — the statue naturally fits into any walk through the historic centre of the town.

Frequently asked questions

Who is depicted in the statue? Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and King of Hungary, whose 1793 decree made the founding of Františkovy Lázně possible.

Who made the sculpture? Czech sculptor Josef Václav Pekárek, based on a 1908 photograph of the emperor.

Where did the statue originally stand? Inside Prague's main railway station, until 1919.

When was it unveiled at its current location? On 25 September 2004, in the presence of Otto von Habsburg, the emperor's grandson.

What is the emperor holding in his hand? A document inscribed "Franzensbad MDCCXCIII," referencing the 1793 decree that authorised the town's construction.