The narrow, wooded valley three kilometers north of Bardejov, which came to be known as Bardejovske Kupele, still attract the people from throughout the Central Europe and the rest par of Europe.

The main draws are the numerous springs, which pump out several types of mineral water of varying salinity and mineral content. But there is much more to do than stand around the colonnade sipping water from funny little cups with built-in straws.

As in the days of Franz Josef, entertainment abounds. Conservatory students from throughout Slovakia give regularly- scheduled concerts in the Astoria Spa House in winter and in the open-air in the warmer months. For the nature lovers, hiking trails surround the spa and even access the 900-meter Magura Mountain just west of the spa. From here, all of northeastern Slovakia, including the High Tatras, is visible. Since most of the restaurants are reserved for spa patients, visitors often walk towards Bardejov to dine on rich regional specialties. The best treat Bardejovske Spa (Kupele) offers is the open-air folk architecture museum. Included is an authentic folk village complete with blue walls and thatched roofs, as well as a wooden church located outside the museum, just behind the tennis courts.

Bardejov spa was visited by: the daughter of Emperor Frantisek I., the second wife of the French emperor Napoleon, Russian czar Alexander I., Empress Elizabeth, called "Sissi" � the wife of Emperor Franz Josef I.