26. 3. 2013 | History
A new thermal spring seep was discovered during the excavation of the foundation pit for the building of Lázně III (Spa III) in the early 1860s. The thermal water was captured by means of a spring bell and drawn above ground to the area between the new spa building and the former St. Bernard's Hospital below Bernardova skála (Bernard's Rock).
In 1865, the seep of the newly discovered spring was covered by an octagonal walk-through wooden arbour with columns, richly decorated with carved ornaments. The spring was originally called Lázeňský pramen (Spa Spring), it subsequently bore the name of Emperor Franz Joseph I until 1918, and in 1946, it received its current name, i.e. the Freedom Spring. The seep of the spring on the main spa promenade is a frequent stopof visitors coming to Karlovy Vary.