In 1295 the king of Czech Vegkeslaos Second founded a city that, six centuries later, was to become known around the world, thanks to the export of the most popular drink of all time, beer.
Built on the contribution of four rivers, and a strategic point, 98 kilometers southwest of Prague, Plzen quickly became a centre of cultural and commercial life of the country.
The production of beer was one of the main occupations of the inhabitants of Plzen since its foundation. There was, however, despite the 1898, 56 years after the establishment of the brewery operating until now, the city gave its name to the beer currently exports to over 50 countries worldwide, ensuring the trademark "Pilsner Urquell".
This is the German translation of the name "Plzenske Prazdroj", meaning "source of Plzen". The German name was introduced as a result of ... dysprofertou the Czech name, and because of cultural influence that the city has always received from the German culture, mainly due to its proximity to germanotsechika borders, with the result that the majority of the inhabitants of Plzen, even today, be bilingual. Somewhat thus created the paradox of the Czech beer with the German name.
The global spread of the name of Plzen, which emerged from that export rise to the rapid development of tourist infrastructure of the city, and we would be excessive if we say that earns points that many European cities.
For the truth of speech, contact a local travel agencies to obtain maps and tourist guides of the city, close to room in a hotel of your choice and get whatever information you need about the city (and all free) or pay attention computer tables are posted in most squares and "speak" in English and Czech, giving information about the sights, hours of operation, routes of transport and other basic information.
What, then, points of interest for the visitor of Plzen; For lovers of local (and not only) of beer, the answer is obvious. The brewery operating in the city since 1842 organised tours daily on the premises and cellars, projections documentary about the history of the popular spirit and, of course, marathons ... beer tasting.
The tours are made seven days a week, at 12.30 and 14.00, while when the plants are closing, runs the Pivovary, known as the brewery, offered for night walks, thanks to the ambient lighting.
When you feel that you have seen (and drink) several beers, go to the town centre, which is just 10 minutes walk from the historic brewery. The first sight that will draw your attention here is undoubtedly the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (who will help and prosanatolizeste, as is visible from almost every point of the city), in the middle of the square Namesti Republiky.
The tower of the church is the highest in the Czech Republic, with a value of 102.6 metres and offers a magnificent view across the city and its surrounding areas for those who manage to reach the top.
Still in the centre of the city, do not forget to visit the Museum of West Bohemia, which hosts great historical value relics of the region, including a unique collection gotthikon weapons, so-called arquebus, the City Council, which is built in Renaissance style, according with plans prepared in 1554 by Italian architect Giovanni de Statia and built the Great Synagogue 1893 (photo), which is the third largest in the world.
One of the most interesting sights of the city is the so-called "underground part" of a daidalodis maze corridors, groundwater and wells, extending 20 kilometres in length and dates from the Middle Ages. Today, guided tours conducted daily cover only the first 750 metres, which, however, is enough to carry in your past times and you transmit a sense of mystery that exists in space.
Just outside the town centre will meet the unique "Monument to the Victims of Evil", which is known by the name "meditation garden" or ellinisti, garden of meditation. Creating a political prisoner Lubos Hruska, the monument is actually a park natural beauty, with many rare species of coniferous trees, stone statues bearing the name eloquent "Stations of the Cross" and a small chapel.
The nature lovers will appreciate also the zoo in Plzen, which hosts more than 20 rare animal species and birds' natural environment, away from bars and cages. Even the "kings", lions, bears and siviriki tiger live in freedom, in places defined only by physical boundaries.
The park hosts also a unique botanical garden, part of which is the famous Japanese garden, built with stones from Japan, by architect Eishin Harada. Only two gardens of this kind, based on the Japanese philosophy, in Europe - in the Plzen and Vienna.
Finally, in the northern frontier town, find the 14 beautiful lakes Bolevec. Thanks to the crystal clear water and dense vegetation surrounding the lakes gather large numbers of tourists, especially in the summer months, coming here either for swimming, camping, canoeing and other water sports, or simply to admire the landscape. In the coast of Great Lake operates organized camping during the summer months.
Given the relatively small size of the city, most attractions are accessible on foot. Nevertheless, the network of transport is extremely organized and dependable, and a ride with the tram is a very good opportunity to experience the city, even if they do not go somewhere specific.
In the unlikely event that wander, and do not speak Czech or German, contact one of the many tourist information offices that exist in the city centre, as residents of Plzen, although filikotatoi and always willing to help, in their overwhelming majority do not speak English.
How to get there
By train! Plzen has no airport, but served by a highly organised network of trains and buses, arriving here from Prague and other Czech cities, as well as from Bratislava and several German cities. The route from Prague lasts one and a half hour, during which cross natural beauty landscapes.
Alternatively, you can reach in the Plzen by bus from Prague, Bratislava, Vienna and many other cities in neighbouring countries.
Accommodation
Given the aforementioned highly developed tourist infrastructure, Plzen has a number of hotels, guesthouses and rented rooms, both in the center of town (that is, in our opinion, the best choice, as they put on noise and traffic, as in other European centres towns) and its environs.
One of the best choices are the 4-star hotel Gondola (Pallova 12, tel: 420 377 994 211), which has 14 rooms, all equipped with satellite television, radio, internet access and mini bar, and restaurant exceptional flavors from the local cuisine, and parking for customers. Prices for a double room start at 70 euros.
At the heart of the city, opposite the church of St. Bartholomew, is it also a 4-star, Hotel Central (nám. Republiky 33, tel: 420 377 226 757), which has 72 rooms and 5 suites, all with satellite TV, radio, access to the internet, safe and mini bar, as well as gym, sauna, solarium, restaurant and parking. The prices of rooms start at 80 euros.
One ... category below the 3-star hotel Continental (Zbrojnicka 8, tel: 420 377 235 292) stands out for the Neoclassical architecture and indoor decoration, which will take you to the last century.
Built in 1895, and renovated in 1929, against a green park, Continental has hosted personalities such as Marlen Dietrich, the Ingrid Bergman, the Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich. It offers unique decorated rooms and suites and a restaurant, bar and club, which organized unique nights of live music three times a week. Prices for a double room start at 75 euros, while the suites from 159 euros.
Food and fun
Apart from restaurants in hotels, which are in the majority, very, very good choices to try the local cuisine (and beer, of course) are the Na Spilce (U Prazdroje 7, tel: +420 377 062 754-5 ) Next to the brewery and Jadran (Bezručova 9, tel: 420 377222251).
If again, you are not fan of "heavy" local cuisine, in the Plzen will find enough good Italian restaurants such as Bella Italia (Jetelová 2, tel: 420 377 457 233) and the Greek restaurant "Akropolis" (Malicke ulici Tel: 420 377 533 723) and has an impressive list of Greek wines (Agioritiko, Macedonian, etc. Nemea)
Regarding your fun night, Plzen is not exactly "the city that never sleeps", but if thelisete xenychtisete be a little more, there are some clubs and bars that will keep your xypnious until late.
Good choices are the Jazz Rock Cafe (Sedláčkova 18), Disco (Pražská 11) and Snack Bar Cyprus (Borská 15), which, as you guessed, because ... Mediterranean idiosyncrasy of the owner, xenychtaei little more.
