Pilsen, Czech Republic – For sure all of you heard for imposing city of Prague with his classical, stylish bridges and bohemian beer gardens. Czech Pilsen beer is known to many. But what if we tell you the name to its famous product come from the name of a city who during the centuries host kings, dukes, and knights of medieval Bohemia. Where Bohemia is not a famous song of Queen but rather a state of mind. Would you be amused to find out more about this magnificent place, if not there on the spot but at least through these paragraphs? This queen of Bohemia certainly deserves it!
Address: Mlynska strouha 3, Pilsen, Czech Republic “City Lake”
City grace does not come only from its streets, street who could tell thousands of stories each, but also from wonderful nature and dozens of castle and fortresses all around the city area. An expanse of greenery during spring, or golden landscaping through fall, rise that melancholic, sentimental Slavic soul known worldwide. Place where everything began, is “Stary Plzenec”, the old fortress of Pilsen. Located some 15 miles from the city. The first evidence of fortress was recorded back in 976 but it is believed the first settlement existed centuries before Theitmar of Merseburg chronicles. In the late 13th century Old Plzenec start to lose his importance as Wenceslass 2nd, King of Bohemia founded the new city of Pilsen. Fortress nowadays although being under reconstruction is a perfect holiday spot. Offering a wide range of amenities for hikers, trekking addicts, gastronomical and hedonism lovers to photography enthusiasts.
Address: Stary Plzenec 332 02, Pilsen, Czech Republic “Radyne Castle”
Taking a stroll further around the city area, we’re coming to an amazing Ejpovice lake that can be visited all-year-round. Also being recognized by outdoor lovers this lake in its offer has sports fishing programs, golf clubs, and wake boarding courses during the spring/summer period. Village of Ejpovice, near the lake, offers a large number of craft workshops and typical Czech taverns with dumplings of any kind, size, or taste. Also, Ejpovice lake is a favorite picnic spot for people of Pilsen. Flavors of barbecue on a warm summer afternoon covering the whole valley, from the city of Rockicany to Pilsen.
Address: Ejpovice 24, 337 01 Ejpovie, Pilsen, Czech Republic
All area of Pilsen city has dozens of lakes. While Ejpovice is the biggest and by far the most popular, we’ll mention a few that stole our hearts.
Address: Bolevec 323 00, Pilsen 1, Czech Republic “Bolevicky rybnik” Lake
“Bolevicky rybnik” lake is well known in the area for its forest and harvesting mushrooms. Also, it is rich with a large number, and different types of fish. Word “rybnik” on the Czech language means fishery, and you’ll see lots of them every-where near Pilsen, but don’t let this fool you. Not all of them are actual fisheries.
Address: Lopatsky Ribnyk Stahlavy 136, Stahlavy 332 03, Pilsen, Czech Republic
The next lake we’ve loved and caught all of our attention is “Lopatsky rybnik”. Situated just meters away from “Kozel” castle, this lake will wakeup royal feeling just in every visitor. Swans navigating the lake, with their gracious posture together with calm water and slow breeze in nearby oaks will ease even the most stubborn stressors.
And, as we were mentioning castles, Kozel is the one that stands from a crowd. Not only in the Pilsen region, but we can say almost certainly in all Bohemia! Nowadays a popular wedding venue, with a chapel, stables, and a riding school but still having a look like when it was raised from the ground. Except for the color of the façade, few new threes, and seasonal flowers, nothing changed much since the 18th century. Built for Jan Vojtech of Czernin, in a classical style, the castle was originally used as a hunting base in the compound. The whole compound consists of a castle, lake, gardens, and 15 acres of dense wood. Maybe the most complete offer for a day trip is the visit to this castle. Ride of marvelous hot-blooded stallions, fishing on a lake the fish they’ll prepare for you later in the castle restaurant, the way you wanted or just like locals do. To lessons on gardening and hunting in Oak-Poplar wood, choices are numerous. Just for all day round or even two.
Address: Castel park Kozel, Stahlavy 332 03, Pilsen, Czech Republic
As we move more towards the city, leaving all these places of remarkable beauties we’ll ask you just before you hit city streets to do a few more stops. We promise beautiful memories and stunning photos. Like some of those:
Address: Spaleny Mlyn 102, Lisnice 252 10, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Address: Sedlecka 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Now, as we entered the city let us lead you through his history, his body, and his soul. In Pilsen, everything starts and finishes at and around the cathedral. Is it cities beginnings, or cities meeting point, to a vibrant nightlife.
As we mentioned at the begging of the text, the new city of Pilsen was found in the late 13th century, precisely in 1295 as the capital of Bohemia kingdom. In the core of that new city, was a Gothic cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. Being built simultaneously with the city, this imposing construction testified all major events that struck Pilsen through history.
Address: Square Reubliky 3, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Unfortunately, today we do not have precise information on the length spent building the cathedral. As all area of Bohemia was turbulent, with a multitude of conflicts written documents were either destroyed or taken.
For centuries long, the cathedral was the tallest building in the city, with her incredible 100 meters height. Having a position in the heart of the city, the view from her spire is magnificent. Photos will tell the story way better than words.
Cathedral offers 360 degrees view on the city, and on a clear, sunny day the view is spreading more than 20 miles away. Two places caught up our eyes from a rooftop
- elegant city theater and the brewery who celebrated the name of Pilsen around the world.
Address: Smetanovy sady 16, Pilsen, Czech Republic
The National Theater was built between 1899-1902 in Neo-Renaissance style and held shows until today. But, as the city built new, modern Opera and Theatre not far from this old lady, National Theater lost its importance on the city’s cultural map. Nowadays it is more monument of culture and witness of urban prosperity of Pilsen more than a place where people of Pilsen enjoy art.
In the Czech Republic, art and alcohol, and by that we mean beer are deeply connected. Some of the country’s most famous artists were known for their bohemian lifestyle. Although, they’ve come from different spheres of art all of them have one in common. Pilsner beer! And where you’ll find a better example of this golden liquid but in Pilsner Urquell brewery.
Pilsner Urquell maybe not be the oldest brewery in the city but it is the most important for certain. In the whole country. Popularizing and spreading the taste of the sharp taste of cold pills across the globe, brewery building is the second most visited place in the city. Offering beer workshops, lectures on sorts of hops and malt, to visiting the taproom, it is a place no one should miss during their stay in Pilsen.
Address: U Prazdroje 7, Pilsen, Czech Republic
The best time to visit the brewery by our experience is in the late afternoon on a weekend day. After more than ten different pints you’re obligated to try on a brewery tour, you’ll be perfectly warm-up for what city will offer you later on. City street in an early evening shows all of the charms they’ve hiding jealously during the daylight. Strolling and wandering around, places you’ll catch will look like this:
Address: Radbuza 3, Pilsen, Czech Republic
After such an exhausting day, where you’ve passed countless miles, typical Czech dinner will restoratively impact your body and you’ll be able to dance a night away in some of many dancing clubs this city has. We insist on dining at one of the oldest Pilsen taverns, with enormous choices of local dishes and beers. Industrial or microbreweries don’t matter, what does matter is that before dinner starts, everyone needs to have a shot of bitter liquor. Medical precaution, for the best digest of heavy Czech dishes.
Address: “Senk na Parkanu” Veleslavinova 59, Pilsen, Czech Republic
We’ve decided to go with Wild-Boar dumplings in a dark beer sauce, with Sauer Kraut. And for such a caloric dish, the waiter’s advice was Master dark lager. This amazing beer has a rich sweet aroma and strong alcohol content. A perfect ending for any dinner in Pilsen is with a shot or two of “Zelena”, a sweet and mild liqueur made from anise and mint.
Master dark 11
Being set with hunger and going wild from alcohol, the definition of happiness right, we’ve decided to hit the floor. The main streets in the city center offer a wide range of fun. From Punk/Ska pubs to Hip-Hop and Rave clubs, this city vibrant like any other metropolis in the world.
We’ve decided to go traditionally, and set our dancing fits to a club that offered live performances by popular, a local band.
Address:”Club 21” Prokopova 3, Pilsen, Czech Republic
As we danced the night away and with all that alcohol in our blood, we didn’t want to go dizzy in bed. A perfect place to get your mind together and get a bit soberer waited for us, as no one wanted hangover. It could ruin the next day and take us away from one more brilliant experience in this tremendous city.
Address: Rokycanska Street, Pilsen view point, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Sunset or sunrise, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is, do not miss this place like you shouldn’t miss a visit to Pilsen, Bohemian capital of World.
Bravooooi