Bernhard Adler

Bernhard Vinzenz Adler (12 September 1753, Eger, Habsburg Monarchy (now Cheb, Czech Republic) – August 1810) was a Bohemian doctor and founder of the resort town of Franzensbad in West Bohemia, now known as the town of Františkovy Lázně.

As a graduate of the gymnasium of the city of Eger, Adler studied medicine at the University of Vienna, funded by scholarships from the foundations of the city of Eger. In 1782, he earned his doctorate with his thesis De acidulis Egranus. In this chemico-medical treatise, he pointed out the healing power of the medicinal and gas springs rising at Schlada (now Slatina) near Eger in the regions swampy mineral-rich moorland, flowing through the meanders of the Schladabach.

After a brief stint, practicing as a physician in Vienna, Adler was appointed city physician in 1783, shortly afterwards to the Kreisphysikus and in 1793 to the well doctor. He is considered to be the founder of the spa town of Franzensbad, which developed with the support of Heinrich Franz von Rottenhan () near the village of Schlada. The name Kaiser-Franzensdorf, named after the Austrian Emperor Franz II of Habsburg-Lorraine (1768-1835), was renamed Kaiser-Franzensbad in 1807, and was named after the end of the First World War and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy from 1918 onwards Franzensbad. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, the town was renamed into its Czech version, Františkovy Lázně.

In 1808, Adler had acquired the Gasquelle, from time immemorial called "the Polterer", the cold spring and the Louise source, along with the salt source in 1816 and the meadow source in 1820. He promoted the expansion of existing spa facilities and the accommodation for those seeking healing and promoted the transformation of the swampy moorland with paths and footbridges to well-known sources, from which, according to ancient law, water was drafted and brought to Eger. When Adler wanted to limit this right to the creation of the house, in 1791 the Egerer Weibersturm was created. The women who earned their livelihood with the scooping, transport and sale of the water in Eger, resisted bitterly against his plans. They felt their water bearing rights were threatened and obstructed his plans. The town council of Eger intervened and made the extension as a health resort possible.

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