"Plzen - Czech beer capital" Top 5 Page for this destination Plzen by Raimix

Plzen Travel Guide: 128 reviews and 419 photos

I decided to visit city of Plzen for a few reasons – firstly, it is a home of famous Pilsner Urquell brewery (city actually could be called as capital of Czech beer), the other reason – city itself has nice architecture to show, including tall St. Bartholomew Cathedral, renaissance Town Hall, Great synagogue that is actually second biggest in Europe. I made a day trip here from capital Prague – to see main sights for city it was enough. Anyway, if you want to visit few museums or go more far away from city centre, better to choose at least two days.

The name of Plzen was firstly mentioned as a castle in the year of 976, at the episode when Duke of Bohemia Boleslaus II was fighting against Emperor Otto II. In 1295 it got city rights, city was on the trade route to Nuremberg and Regensburg. At 14th century this trade city was actually quite populated, third after Prague and Kutna Hora.

19th century touched Plzen by industrialization, factory of famous Skoda was constructed in 1869, and National Railway train workshop started production. City also became known by its breweries, as Gambrinus or Pilsner Urquell, and new style of beer, that appeared here, called “pilsener”.

Plzen’s population nowadays is about 170 thousand people; it is fourth biggest city in Czech Republic, capital of Plzen region.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cozy place, nice architecture, and home of famous brewery.
Cons:A bit scrappy area around train station.
In a nutshell:City that suits not only for beer lovers ;)

Last visit to Plzen: Jul 2009
Intro Updated Oct 18, 2009
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (16)

Castle of Karlstejn Off The Beaten Path (2)

Karlstejn is one of the most famous travel destinations in Czech Republic. Main landmark in village of Karlstejn is... more travel advice

Capital of Czech land - Prague Off The Beaten Path (2)

Prague is about 100 km from Plzen. City is capital of Czech Republic with a population of about 1,2 millions people. It... more travel advice

Associations with beer Favorites (1)

If you mention city of Plzen, at least in Lithuania, no one will know it for its synagogue or town hall, but almost all... more travel advice

Walking around Transportation (2)

In my personal opinion there is no reason to use public transportation in Plzen central part at all, it is not big one,... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Czech gouliash ;)

Things to Do (10)
See All Pilsner Urquell brewery

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 12, 2009

6 photos

Variuos photos of Plzen

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (2)

Reply
- Report abuse
yumyum Feb 12, 2010 at 8:36 PM

I have visited this town in 2004 with my parents. Lovely town square.
Reply
- Report abuse
HORSCHECK Oct 18, 2009 at 1:30 PM

Another gorgeous new page of yours. I haven't been to Plzen yet, but I know that it is not only famous for its beer. Anyway, I didn't know that Gambrinus is also from Plzen.