Home · Blog · Pilsen, the Heart of Western Bohemia
Pilsen, the Heart of Western Bohemia
What to see in Pilsen in one day: from Republic Square and St. Bartholomew's Cathedral to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, the City Gardens, the Great Synagogue and the Meditation Garden.
Republic Square
In most Czech towns, the main square is also the center, and Pilsen is no exception. What sets it apart is size: náměstí Republiky (Republic Square) measures 139 × 193 m, and only Karlovo náměstí (Charles Square) in Prague covers more ground in the Czech Republic. It holds up in a European comparison too; it ranks among the largest squares on the continent. Stand in the middle and you'll see why it's the right place to start any walk around Pilsen.
The most striking landmark downtown is without question St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, which towers over everything else. Travelers may also be drawn to the Marian Column and the town hall. The golden fountains impress most people too; they aren't interesting historically, but their unusual modern design gets attention.
City Gardens
The ring of city greenery was built on the site of the original town walls, which is why it hugs the historic center. The Městské sady (City Gardens) were laid out from the nineteenth century onward, are divided into six sections and form a green oasis in the middle of the city.
For visitors, they're a good starting point for sightseeing: walking the green ring, you'll pass the Old Synagogue or the Měšťanská beseda with its typical Art Nouveau features.
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral is the main attraction not just of Republic Square but of Pilsen as a whole. Construction of the Gothic church began as early as the 13th century, and it boasts the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, at 102.26 m. Visitors can climb all the way to the top. The climb is a bit demanding, with 299 steps up to the top of the tower, but the view of the city is worth the effort. You can tell it's one of the most important Gothic monuments in the country both outside and inside. Look out for the famous Gothic statue of the Pilsen Madonna and the richly decorated pulpit, which make it worth spending at least a few minutes inside.
Treasure Hunt Pilsen
Our instructors run the game with tablets, or you start it yourselves on your phones. Tell us the number of people and the date, we will get back to you the same day.
The cathedral is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, though small donations are of course welcome.
What Else Is Worth Seeing in Pilsen?
The entire historic core, including the Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, is a protected heritage zone. Beneath Černá věž (the Black Tower) lies the Pilsen underground, which is open to the public.
In town, you can visit both the Great Synagogue and the Old Synagogue. The Great Synagogue is the second largest in Europe and the third largest in the world.
Pilsner Urquell
Say “Pilsen” and everyone should immediately think of beer. It's brewed at the Prazdroj brewery (Pilsner Urquell), founded back in 1842. Unlike the competition, though, Prazdroj wanted to make truly high-quality beer, so they hired Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll. He went on to create the world's first golden beer. Until then, most beers were dark. So Prazdroj was there at the birth of today's beer standard.
The brewery is of course still running today, and anyone interested can pay for a tour of the grounds. For your money, you get to explore the spaces where beer history was made and pick up plenty of information tied directly to how golden beer is produced. A beer tasting is naturally part of the tour.
How a Legend Was Born
Beer has been brewed in Pilsen practically since the town was founded in 1295. The current burghers' brewery, however, wasn't established until 1842. Its construction was required by an 1839 decree calling for better Pilsen beer than what had been brewed until then.
The new brewery was supposed to brew Bavarian beer, so the locals brought in Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll. He brewed an entirely different beer than he probably intended, and the new lager tasted excellent.
Of the other breweries founded in the city afterward, only Gambrinus remains well known; it was founded in 1869 as the First Joint-Stock Brewery.
Ever-Growing Production
The 1842 brewery had a planned capacity of 30,000 hectoliters a year. In 1913, it passed the one-million-hectoliter mark.
Today's capacity is five times higher still: five million hectoliters a year.
The In the Footsteps of František Maloch Nature Trail
A nature trail runs straight from Pilsen along the banks of the Berounka, crossing the Malochova skalka and Háj protected areas. You can reach the start of the route by public transit, for example to the Bílá Hora stop. There are 11 stops with information boards along the way.
The trail ends at the ruins of Věžka Castle. The castle was destroyed back in the fifteenth century, but its remains have survived to this day and make an interesting destination for the whole route.
A Memorial to the Victims of Evil
The Meditation Garden in Pilsen was founded, and rebuilt from an original orchard, by former Czechoslovak soldier and political prisoner Luboš Hruška. As a young officer, he tried to cross the border, was arrested, convicted and went through communist labor camps. There he promised himself he would turn the family orchard into a memorial to everyone who suffered under the yoke of evil.
He kept his promise. The garden includes Stations of the Cross with fourteen stations by sculptor Roman Podrázský and a chapel whose patron is St. Maximilian Kolbe.
You'll find the garden in Pilsen-Doudlevce; the route is signposted from the Tyršův most stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pilsner Urquell founded? The current burghers' brewery was founded in 1842. Beer had been brewed in Pilsen since the town was founded in 1295.
Who created Pilsner Urquell beer? Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll, whom the people of Pilsen brought in to brew Bavarian beer at the new brewery. But he brewed a different beer than he intended, and the result was a lager with an excellent taste.
Can you tour the Pilsner Urquell brewery? Yes. The tour takes you through the spaces where beer history was made, and it includes a beer tasting.
How many steps lead up the tower of St. Bartholomew's Cathedral? There are 299 steps to the top of the tower. The tower is 102.26 m tall and is the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.
Summary
- Republic Square is one of the largest squares in Europe, and its dominant landmark is St. Bartholomew's Cathedral.
- St. Bartholomew's Cathedral has the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, and visitors can climb to the top.
- The Pilsner Urquell brewery offers a tour of the grounds that ends with a beer tasting.
- The City Gardens were laid out on the site of the original town walls and ring the historic center.
- The Meditation Garden in Pilsen-Doudlevce commemorates the victims of evil and was founded by political prisoner Luboš Hruška.
Want to explore downtown Pilsen, from Republic Square to the City Gardens, with colleagues or family as a game on tablets or phones? Send us your date and group size for Treasure Hunt Pilsen.
