Pilsen is the main city of its region, and the fourth largest in the Czech Republic. Known as an industrial and brewery town, the most important sights include the historic center and surrounding streets, which form a protected urban conservation area.
What to visit:
The three-naved Gothic church of St. Bartholomew is located on the historic Republic Square. The most precious monument in the temple is the sculpture of the Pilsen Madonna, and an impressive sculpture of the crucifixion. The church is richly decorated with stained glass windows.
The late Gothic black water tower was part of the fortification of the city – the Prague Gate. It was supposed to supply the city with wate. The underground part of the tower is included in the tour of the Pilsen underground. This system of corridors was built gradually with the foundation of the city in the 14th century. Cellars served as food stores, and in time of danger provided shelter and escape routes to local people.
The Brewery of Pilsner Urquell where you can get acquainted with the unique brewing process. The tour concludes with a beer tasting. You can also visit the Brewery Museum located in the original Medieval brewery house, the oldest of its kind in the world. Here you will find the story of beer from antiquity to the emergence of large industrial breweries.
The Great Synagogue is the largest building of its kind in the Czech Republic, the second largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. It is built in the Arabesque-Romanesque style.
Famous Beer:
Pilsen might not possess any magical mineral water, like nearby Karlovy Vary, but it does have a world-famous beer. If you visit the Brewery museum there, you will find a barrel made from honey-colored glass in the curiosity department. This was used to transport Pilsner beer to the Vatican in the 19th century. Unsurprisingly, the Pope at that time considered authentic Pilsner beer the most effective medicine to cure certain of his ailments.
Also of interest is the massive beer mug carved from a single piece of wood. This was made by a skilled Russian who obviously had a lot of time to spare during his time in Siberia. You can also see the smallest barrel in the world. It holds just 1 centilitre of beer, i.e. just enough to inebriate a sparrow! It was made by a cooper called František Stejskal using the same technology used to make full-size barrels. During the excursion in many and many of the local pubs you will taste lots of kinds of beer, but don’t worry – our personal chauffeur will return you safely to your hotel!