PlzenTake a day trip from Prague to the home of Pilsner Beer!
Eighty kilometres from Prague, Plzen is easily reached by train. The second largest city in Bohemia and capital of West Bohemia this city dates back to 1295A.D when it was built by King Wenceslas 11.While it is an industrial city with Skoda cars manufactured here, it is probably even more famous for being the home of Pilsner Urquell beer.
The city centre Namesti Republiky Square, is dominated by the Cathedral of St Bartholomew built between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Climb St Bartholomew's Tower for a View of PlzenTaking 300 years to complete such a work, is not unusual in Europe, where most historic churches and buildings were long standing works evolving over several centuries. Often, sections had to be rebuilt when fires destroyed earlier parts.Climbing to the top of the 103 metre high tower on St Bartholomews, which is open from 10.00am - 6.00pm daily, gives you a fantastic surround view of Plzen and beyond. Looking down on the picturesque gingerbread style houses, with ornate scrolls and sherbet colours, makes the climb well worth it.
The Underground Tunnels
From here, you can then descend below ground into the intriguing Plzen Historical Underground system. Kitted out in a hard hat supplied, you are taken on a tour through tunnels dating back to the 13th century. You are given an interesting view and commentary( they will give you papers in English if the commentary is in another language) of one of the important medieval royal towns, seeing their cellars, galleries bringing water to the water tower, the original sewage system and wells.
Visit the Brewery MuseumBack into daylight and you can wander beyond the square through beautiful gardens, until you happen on the Brewery Museum. This is another interesting historic building, renaissance with an early 19th century facade.English tours are at 12.30 or 2.00pm, where you will see exhibits of the original interiors, a cooper’s workshop, an old construction for drying malt, and a functional model of a steam brewery. No doubt if you are a beer drinker you will want to also visit the Brewery itself. Beer has been brewed in Plzen since 1295, but genuine Pilsner originates from The Burghers Brewery which was established 500 years later in 1842. Beer is plentiful and cheap in the Czech Republic. People sit with a glass in their hand at any time of the day. It is cheaper than bottled water, or soft drink, so this is not surprising. But having been brought up with readily available beer, the locals do not appear to have alcohol problems, despite there being no official age for purchasing beer. Tour Velka SynagogueThe largest synagogue in the Czech Republic, Velka Synagoga is on Sady Petaricatniku, opposite the Divadlo J.K. Tyla Theatre named after the composer of the Czech National Anthem. A little away from the main centre, it is easily walked, and worth the time, with a beautifully ornate interior.A one and a half hour train trip from Prague makes it possible to visit Plzen as a day trip. It has a lot of interest to see in a day and is a pleasant change from the larger cities.
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