Sightseeing in Plzen - what to see. Complete travel guide

Plzen is a large commercial, industrial and cultural center of Bohemia. The city is often referred to as "the deposit of beer," because one of the most popular and internationally famous breweries is located here. Plzen has quickly gained popularity among fans of this amber drink, but beer is not the only reason why thousands of tourists try to get to this beautiful city.

Despite the fact that Plzen was badly damaged during the Second World War, a part of the cultural and historical heritage was saved. One of the main attractions is located in the center of the city. This is the Church of St. Bartholomew. The height of one of the church’s towers reaches 102 feet. This is the tallest building in the country. Several more old buildings can be seen near Republic Square. Here you will also see the local City Hall - a beautiful building in the renaissance style. West Bohemian Gallery is also located nearby. Here are kept the works of famous medieval Czech painters, as well as paintings by made contemporary authors.

Your excursion to the Museum of the Underground Tunnels will be one of the most exciting events. Of course, no excursion route can be done without visiting the local brewery. Within just one hour visitors will get acquainted with the technology of brewing; they will be able to explore the process in details and, of course, take part in the tasting of the prepared product. On the territory of the factory is located a museum that will provide visitors with the information about the history of the brewing business and will demonstrate curious collections of equipment and other attributes associated with beer. One of the most popular bars in the city is located near the factory. The beer here is always fresh and the atmosphere is relaxing and calm. If you manage to visit Plzen in October, you will be able to take part in a large celebration - Beer Festival. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An important architectural and religious monument is the Great Synagogue that is striking in its scale. Since its foundation, it is one of the largest synagogues in the world: it can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The construction of the religious structure was completed in 1892. The synagogue looks a bit like a Gothic church and is distinguished by spectacular facade decoration. In recent years, the magnificent synagogue hall has been actively used for holding various musical performances and cultural events.

Fans of unusual excursions should definitely visit the Horror Museum located in the heart of the city, on the ground floor of Hotel Central. The museum is housed in ancient dungeons built back in the 16th century. The museum's halls currently display a collection of terrible exhibits that can scare children and adults alike. The very hotel housed in a historic building is famous for its ghosts. Many people visit the museum in the hope of seeing a real ghost here.

In the immediate vicinity of the historic district of Plzen, there are Krizik Gardens, which are believed to be one of the city's most beautiful places. The very first garden was planted in this place in the early 19th century. The gardens got their current name in honor of the famous engineer and native of the city František Křižík. The main feature of the gardens is small ponds with carps located in its territory. Local residents claim that if you make a wish and feed the fish bread, it will come true.

The most beautiful architectural monument is an old villa with an unusual name of Měšťanská beseda (Eng. - City Talk). The villa built at the beginning of the 20th century is executed in the rare architectural style of Secession. According to the idea of the city authorities, this luxurious villa should have housed a cultural center, accessible to all citizens. Today, the sumptuous building is a popular venue for various cultural events, it often hosts art exhibitions, ceremonies, and symphony orchestra performances. Over the years, the villa has managed to retain some of its rich interior decoration. A few years ago a small cinema, as well as a cozy cafe, were opened in the historic building.