Since 1793
Two centuries of spa elegance
The Spa House is more than a building. It is a place where music, gastronomy and spa culture have been meeting for more than two hundred years. Personalities, generations of guests and stories that shaped the house pass through it.
Timeline
Milestones of our story
1793–1795
Origin of the building
The original structure — inn, drinking hall and ballroom — was built to plans by Thobias Gruber and Johann Rothhesel. Two originally separate buildings were linked by a covered passageway. The main two-storey building housed the innkeeper's flat, a small social hall and rooms, and the flat of the spa inspector. A separate social hall with a billiard room was attached. The house served as a social centre where spa guests met at a common table and spent time reading, playing billiards or attending evening entertainments.
1795
Completion and early significance
The completion is commemorated by a plaque on the northern side. The Spa House began to function as an important meeting place for spa guests.
1806–1823
Goethe's visits
Johann Wolfgang Goethe visited Franzensbad repeatedly. In 1808 he stayed at the Spa House for about 12 days. Overall he came to the spa more than 30 times.
1816–1837
Notable personalities
Prominent figures of the age — including the Prussian marshal Blücher, Count Nostitz and Count Kaspar Sternberg — stayed in or around the building.
1840
Valuation
The building was valued at 22,600 gold coins, confirming its importance in the town and the spa operation.
1874
Great reconstruction
In 1874 the town of Franzensbad bought the Spa House together with the old colonnade, and extended the complex with the grand "Conversation Hall" built in 1876/1877 to designs by the most important Franzensbad architect Gustav Wiedermann. This turned the Spa House into one of the town's landmarks.
1904
Reconstruction after fire
Further construction work following a fire restored and modified the building's appearance.
1993–1999
Modern reconstruction
After changes in the 1990s the building was leased to a private company and then abandoned. The town later carried out roof, façade and window repairs and obtained a grant for hall reconstruction.
2000
Reopening
After extensive reconstruction the Spa House reopened on 15 December 2000. The new interior included the unique floor aquarium. The building then hosted social events, concerts, balls, a restaurant, a café and a casino.
Today
Present
Today the Spa House operates again as a lively social centre with versatile spaces for all kinds of events.
Goethe in Franzensbad
"A place where the spirit of the spa meets noble society."
Goethe stayed here in 1808 for about 12 days; in total he visited the spa more than 30 times. He left several dedicated verses in the house library. We commemorate him every year with a composed literary evening of recitation and piano.