The ZOO in Plzeň

Contents
History in brief
Historic sights
Cities and towns
Folk architecture
Have a scare
The countryside
The Šumava
The Zoo in Plzeň
Views from high up
Come and enjoy yourself
Spas and health regeneration facilities
Winter delights
Want to have fun?
Want to have a drink?
Information
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Welcome to Pilsen Region.
We would like to welcome you to the Plzeň region, one of the fourteen administrative
regions of Czech Republic, a country at the very heart of Europe. Regarding size, the Plzen
region is the third largest in the country and ranking last but one regarding population
density. Welcome to a region of relatively undisturbed and harmonic countryside including
the Šumava National Park and the Český les, a mountainous range recently declared a protected scenic area. These are considered the main natural attractions of the region although you
are bound to find beautiful spots in any pine, spruce or mixed woods covering 39% of the region’s
territory. Get acquainted with a region abounding in historic sights, medieval castles, castle ruins, old
churches, Baroque, Renaissance and Art-Nouveau chateaus and well-preserved medieval towns starting
with the administrative centre of the region, Plzeň, and ending with Rabštejn, the smallest town in Central
Europe. Come alone, with your family or a tourist group, by coach, train or even better on foot, on bicycle, in a canoe
or riding a horse, or in winter on skis. If you enjoy cultural events, do not miss the folklore festivals in Plzeň or
the Klatovy or Domažlice districts; listen to the bag-pipe players, visit the cinemas and theatres, the local markets
and fairs, festivals, carnivals, discotheques, village dances and ceremonial balls. Come and taste our famous beer
brand Pilsner Urquell, spend a nice evening in a pub, have a chat, a game of bowling, skittles, billiards or play
a few rounds of “mariáš” with the regulars. Unless you already know that, you will learn that the renowned
Bohemia brand of sparkling wine and the Fernet spirit made in Božkov are local products. Your ailments can
be meliorated by staying at the spa of Konstantinovy Lázně.
Our region borders on four other Czech regions: South Bohemia, Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem and Central
Bohemia, but its longest border is with the German state of Bavaria where there are numerous frontier
crossings. These crossings open up ways and opportunities for tourism on both sides of the Šumava and
the Český les, for meeting our neighbours and establishing friendly relationships with them.
Come to our region to rest, meet its people, learn new things and to enjoy yourself.
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History in brief
The first people came to the region and formed small settlements in the fertile
lowlands of today’s Plzeň region in the Neolithic period, about 6,000 years ago.
Important ancient settlements of high cultural level are represented by the socalled Milaveč people from the early Bronze Age who left behind themselves
grave-mound fields. The settlement found in Sedlo near Sušice is an exception among the numerous fortified Celtic centres in the region in that it is
located in the Šumava highlands. The first documented traces of Slavonic
settlement are dated to the 7th century AD. Significant developments
of the Berounka river basin took place in the early Middle Ages (till the
first half of the 13th century) when the fortified settlement of the ruling Přemysl house in Stará Plzeň (Old Plzeň, now called Starý Plzenec)
controlled the historical Plzeň district. One of the oldest historic sights
in Plzeň is the Romanesque church of St Jiří. At that time, the historical
Prácheň district in the Otava river basin at the foot of the Šumava mountains
formed part of today’s Plzeň region.
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The economic and political developments of the region were significantly influenced by the Cistercian monasteries in Nepomuk and Plasy, the Benedictine monastery
in Kladruby and the Premonstratensian convent in Chotěšov. The flourishing economy
of the country in the Middle Ages gave rise to the Royal towns founded alongside the
trading routes to Bavaria – Plzeň, Klatovy, Sušice, Stříbro and Domažlice. Among other
things, the population of the region profited from extensive ore mining activities, including silver and gold mining.
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The Plzeň region played an important role in the Hussite revolutionary period. Two
important battles that both brought victory to the Hussite troops took place there:
near Tachov in 1427 and near Domažlice in 1431. The Hussites originally
chose Plzeň, which they called “the Sun City”, for a centre of their
movement. However, the Catholic forces eventually prevailed and
the Hussites were driven out. The period of continued economic
and cultural developments in the 16th century brought about
further growth of both Royal and feudal towns.
In 1599, to flee the plague raging in both Prague and Vienna,
the Czech King and Roman and German Emperor Rudolf
II and his court spent almost a whole year in Plzeň.
The proud city was conquered only once – in 1618 by
the troops of Count Mansfeld. After the Battle of White
Mountain in Prague, when Thirty Years’ War broke
out in Europe, the Catholic church started to gain
ever greater economic power. Among the largest
and richest land owners in the region were
again the monasteries in Kladruby
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and Plasy and the Chotěšov convent, and remained so until their liquidation under the rule of Emperor Josef II. The re-catholicisation pressure after
the Thirty Years’ War gave rise to a general social discontent. An unsuccessful
peasant rebellion exploded in the northern parts of the region in 1680. More widely
known is the rebellion in Chodsko led by Jan Sladký Kozina in 1693.
The industrial revolution in the second half of the 19th century brought substantial changes to
the region. Major deposits of bituminous coal and kaolin were found near Plzeň. The city itself became
the seat of Škoda Works, a well known engineering combine founded in 1869. Since 1842, Měšťanský
pivovar (the Burghers’ Brewery) in Plzeň had been brewing its famous lager Pilsner Urquell. The first
patients came to the spa in Konstantinovy Lázně in the mid 19th century. The basic network of railway
lines in the region was constructed in 1861-76 including the longest railway tunnel in Bohemia
under Špičák in the Šumava. The inventor František Křižík lighted up his first electric-arc lamp in Plzeň. The main cultural and political centres of the region
then were Plzeň, Klatovy and Domažlice. Josef Dobrovský, one of the
leading figures of the National Revival movement, often visited in
Chudenice where the local museum shows exhibits preserved
from his stays there.
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Following the Munich treaty in the autumn of 1938,
a major part of the region was annexed to the German
Reich and Plzeň became a border town. The German
occupation of Czechoslovakia was ended by the liberation of the region by the American Army who were
given an enthusiastic welcome by the local population.
The communist coup in 1948 placed the region of West
Bohemia at the frontier dividing two different worlds by
the ”iron curtain”. The new rulers chose to call the Plzeň
region ”a strong wall of socialism”. When the iron curtain
fell in 1989, democracy returned to the country and with
it quickly growing private entrepreneurship and international tourism. In the 1990s Plzeň became the seat of
the newly established diocese and a university town.
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Foto: 1. St Jiří’s (George’s) church in Plzeň – Doubravka, 2. St Peter and Paul’s
Romanesque chapel near Starý Plzenec, 3. Křižík’s electric-arc lamp, 4. Bunker, part of the fortifications of Bohemia from 1938, 5. Liberation of Plzeň
in 1945, 6. Iron curtain on the border between ČSSR and Bavaria, 7. Remains of the Prácheň castle, 8. Quarry at Hradišťský hill (with traces
of the oldest settlement in the region), 9. St Vojtěch of
Dobrá Voda – painting on glass, 10. A memorial to
Jan Sladký Kozina near Domažlice, 11. Border stone, 12. Railway tunnel at Špičák,
13. Historic tram, 14., 15. Vaults under the convent and the Chotěšov
convent
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Historic sights
The prehistoric people living in the region left behind themselves numerous
traces of fortified settlements and burial grounds. Among the most important
sights from late Bronze Age is the fortified settlement at Hradišťský vrch near
Konstantinovy Lázně, while a major Celtic settlement was found at Sedlo
near Sušice. The well-preserved remnants of the massive fortifications of the
former regional administration centre from the Přemysl period on a hill above
Starý Plzenec are dominated by a Romanesque chapel of St Peter and St Paul
from the second half of the 10th century built in the so-called ”Oton” style.
The picturesquely undulating countryside of the region offers views of towns and
villages with numerous churches. These often are originally in the Romanesque
style, but rebuilt during the Gothic and Baroque periods. A construction sight
of a unique character is the Gothic church of St Mikuláš (Nicholas) in Čečovice,
a bare-brick structure with valuable cut-stone details.
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The countryside also abounds in medieval castles. The oldest of these, the Romanesque-style castle of Přimda, is at the same time the oldest stone castle
on the territory of Czech Republic. Rabí is the largest castle ruin in Czech
Republic, ranking among the most important Medieval fortresses in Central
Europe. Another unique piece of medieval architecture is the bridge connecting two palace buildings at Velhartice. Worth seeing is also the chateau,
originally a bishop’s castle in Horšovský Týn, including a well-preserved
chapel in the early Czech Gothic style. Tourists are welcome to see
the ruins of the Klenová castle, the massive fortifications of the
Švihov water castle or the ruins of Royal castles Radyně and
Kašperk with their characteristic scenic features.
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The town hall in Plzeň and the Kaceřov villa-style chateau
are among the best examples of the Renaissance architecture in the region. The Czech Baroque style can be ad-
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mired in many sacral constructions,
nobility residences and even farmhouses. This architectural style was
also adopted for construction of monumental cathedrals of rich monasteries and
convents. The leading architect of the period, J. B. A. Santini, created a highly specific
style known as Gothic Baroque. His best work
in the region is reconstruction of the originally
Romanesque cathedral of the Kladruby monastery.
The public can visit many other remarkable historic
constructions such as the provost’s residence in Mariánská
Týnice or the monastery in Plasy including the magnificent
tomb of Metternich, the last private owner of the Plasy estate.
The huge monastery buildings were erected on a swamp land where
the foundations had to be strengthened by 5,100 oak piles.
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Foto: 1. Provost’s residence at Mariánská Týnice, 2. The Manětín chateau, 3. Ruins
of the Radyně castle, 4. St Mikuláš’s (Nicholas’) church at Čečovice, 5. The Nebílovy
chateau, 6. The chateau at Lužany near Přeštice, 7. Ruins of the Přimda castle,
8. The Plasy monastery
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Historic sights
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The visitors to the region should not miss the Baroque chateau in Manětín designed by the master builder Haffenecker with its statue gallery, or the ”flower
chateau” at Nebílovy with collections of fine arts including floral designs.
The most frequently visited tourist destination in the vicinity of Plzeň
is Kozel near Šťáhlavy, originally a hunting lodge with a spacious park,
riding school, stables and chapel. There are many other historic
sights open, or partly open for public, such as the Chodský castle in Domažlice, the Old chateau in Chudenice, chateaus in
Spálené Poříčí, Blovice, the gallery at the Klenová chateau, or
the tower and one wing of the Gothic castle later rebuilt to
a chateau in Bor u Tachova. The interiors of other chateaus
are not, at least for the time being, open for visitors; these
include Lužany and Žinkovy. Recently open for the public
have been the chateaus of Zbiroh, Mirošov and Poběžovice.
The Bezdružice chateau houses a permanent exhibition of
the works of modern glass-makers including the unique
Nativity Scene found at the chateau chapel.
Numerous sights will remind the visitor
of the rich history of the Jewish population
in the region – Jewish cemeteries, museums, partly preserved ghettos and
synagogues. The best known
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sight is indisputably the Great Synagogue
in Plzeň built in 1893, the second largest
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in Europe and third in the world. The synagogue in Radnice is associated with the name
of rabbi Issak Mayer Wise-Weise, the founder
of the Reform Judaism movement in America. Other
interesting Jewish sights include the Baroque synagogue
and museum in the Jewish quarter and a Jewish cemetery
in Kasejovice, the Jewish cemetery in Rabštejn nad Střelou,
the Jewish merchant house in Spálené Poříčí and the Dr Šimon
Adler museum at Dobrá Voda near Hartmanice.
Foto: 1. The Baroque monastery at Kladruby, 2. The Renaissance
chateau at Kaceřov, 3. The hunters’ chateau of Kozel, 4. Interior
of the Great Synagogue in Plzeň, 5. The Kašperk castle,
6. The Žinkovy chateau, 7. The Rabí castle, 8 Jewish cemetery at Kasejovice, 9. Jewish candelabra from Dr Šimon
Adler’s museum at Dobrá Voda, 10. The Velhartice castle, 11. The castle and chateau of Klenová, 12. The
Great Synagogue in Plzeň
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Cities and towns
The cultural, political and economic centre of the region is the statutory city of Plzeň,
founded by the Czech King Václav II on a rectangular construction site in 1295. Plzeň is the
fourth largest city in Czech Republic. The spacious main square is dominated by the Gothic
cathedral of St Bartholomew with its 102 metres tall spire and the famous stone statue of
the Madonna of Plzeň. The observation gallery on the spire offers views of the whole historic
centre of the city comprising a number of burgher houses in the Gothic, Renaissance and
Baroque styles. Particularly valuable is the Renaissance town hall in the main square.
The former fortification walls and moats were replaced by parks and public
gardens full of trees, lawns and water fountains. An easy stroll through the
parks will lead the visitor to the Great Synagogue, the imposing buildings
of the Big Theatre of J. K. Tyl and the Museum of West Bohemia
with its unique permanent exhibition of historic blunderbuss guns.
Close to the main square is a Franciscan monastery including
a diocese museum, and entry to the historic underground of the
city – a maze of cellar corridors and shafts dug in the sandstone
foundations of the original walled-in city.
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A popular goal for weekend family outings are the city zoological and botanical gardens, the second oldest in the country.
České údolí (Czech Valley) in Bory is the place where
the former political prisoner Luboš Hruš ka built
his Memorial to the Victims of Evil, also known as
the Meditation Garden. In that he was assisted by
sculptor Roman Podrázský and other devoted friends
who felt it necessary to leave a warning testimony
to the cruel fate of the prisoners of the communist
labour camps in the 1950s. The famous prison in
Bory with its classic star-shaped layout and capacity of 900 prisoners used to rank among the largest
institutions of its kind in Europe.
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He who sets out on a trip from Plzeň
heading north, should pay a visit to Manětín, a small town noted for unique Baroque
sculptures and stone-cut decorations. Manětín is
often referred to as the Baroque pearl of West Bohemia. Further up north you will find one of the smallest
towns of Europe (with mere 30 permanent residents)
– Rabštejn nad Střelou, overlooking the romantic wooded
countryside from a headland above the Střela river. The towns of
Horní Bříza, Třemošná, Kaznějov and Kožlany are noted for ceramic
products including wall and floor tiles and jugs. The largest kaolin pit
in Europe is located in the deep forests near Horní Bříza.
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West of the region’s capital lies the ancient Royal and mining town of Stříbro with
a fine town hall in the Renaissance style and an old bridge with a gate across the
Mže river. Another 30 km in the westward direction you will find Tachov
whose well-preserved medieval fortifications still create an impression. The town’s sky-line is dominated by the three-nave basilica
of Virgin Mary’s Assumption. In the nearby Světce reconstruction work is in progress on a large riding-school hall of the
Windischgrätz house from the mid 19th century.
Foto: 1. – 8. Plzeň: 1. Smetana’s public gardens, 2., 3. The museum of West-Bohemia including the city armoury, 4., 5. Franciscan
monastery with St Barbara’s chapel, 6. Town Hall, 7. Christmas
atmosphere, 8. Hruška’s meditation garden, 9. Rabštejn
nad Střelou, 10. The town hall in Stříbro, 11. A group
of Baroque statues in the square in Manětín,
12. The chateau at Bor near Tachov, 13. Tachov,
14. A riding-school hall at Světce
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Cities and towns
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One of the last rural districts in Bohemia with characteristic folklore traditions,
Chodsko, is located south-west of Plzeň, at the foot of the Bohemian Forest. Some
older people there still wear folk costumes on week days and speak a distinct dialect.
Chodsko is also noted for its typical hand-painted earthenware manufactured at
Klenčí and Koloveč. The administration centre of the Chodsko district is the Royal
town of Domažlice. The well-known features of this old town are the arcaded
houses in the square and two slim towers visible from afar. One of these, originally
a watch tower, belongs to the Gothic church of Virgin Mary’s Birth, the other
is part of the Chodský castle, now a local museum. The old part of the nearby
town of Horšovský Týn is a municipal conservation zone including a medieval
bishop’s castle rebuilt in the mid 16th century to a chateau.
Klatovy is known as the gate to the Šumava mountains. The town is a popular
tourist destination with many sacral constructions and remains of medieval
fortifications. Special attractions are the Black Tower in the main square,
unique Baroque drug-store and the catacombs. Another ”gate
to the Šumava” is the town of Sušice on the Otava river
with a long tradition of match manufacturing. There
is an interesting square and a museum of the
Šumava; the museum has affiliated exhibition
rooms in Kašperské Hory and Železná Ruda.
Close to the borderline dividing the Plzeň
and South-Bohemia regions lies the town
of Horažďovice, originally a settlement
round the ancient Prácheň castle.
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Nepomuk, a town on the road connecting Plzeň and Horažďovice,
is the birthplace of St Jan of Nepomuk, the patron saint of waters,
whose statues can be found not only in Czech Republic, but also in other
Catholic countries all over Europe. Visible from afar, the monumental
Baroque cathedral of Virgin Mary’s Assumption in Přeštice is the work of
the master builder K. I. Dienzenhofer. St Vitus’ church in Dobřany built by
J. Auguston ranks among the most interesting Baroque constructions in Central Europe. The town of Rokycany used to be known as the seat of the bicycle
manufacturer Favorit. Now you will go there to see a collection of stone-age artefacts
at Dr Bohuslav Horák’s museum or to visit the only astronomical
observatory in the Plzeň region. The Baroque chateau
on a hill overlooking Zbiroh near Rokycany is open for
the public all the year round.
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Foto: 1. The square in Klatovy, 2. A Baroque
pharmacy in Klatovy, 3. The Guardian-Angel chapel in Sušice, 4. Horažďovice, 5., 6. The Chodský
castle and the main square in Domažlice,
7. The castle in Blovice, 8. The castle and chateau
in Horšovský Týn, 9., 10. The square and planetarium in Rokycany, 11. A statue of St Jan Nepomucký,
12. Nepomuk, in the background Zelená Hora,
13., 14. St Vitus’ church in Dobřany, the church altar,
15. The Virgin Mary’s Assumption cathedral in Přeštice
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Folk architecture
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The Plzeň region has numerous sights of folk architecture from different historic periods. These
often originated from inspirations brought back by the local bricklayers and stuccoers seeking
work abroad and in foreign countries. Houses with semi-hipped roof are typical
of the Šumava region but there can also be found classic log houses, often
with a belfry at the house gable. The rural architecture style with typical brick-and-timber constructions can still be seen in the villages of
the Chodsko district such as Trhanov, Újezd (the Kozina house)
and others. Picturesque small villages with interesting wooden and
stone houses are scattered all over the region. One of the oldest
wooded constructions in Bohemia is in Lučice near Chudenice. Pretentious farm houses of the Plzeň style can be found
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in Koterov and Černice. Numerous log houses are located in the
Rokycany district, and timber-and-brick houses of the German
style are quite common in the Tachov district and north of Plzeň.
To preserve the folk architectural heritage, village conservation
zones have been established at 47 locations. An open-air museum of
folk architecture in the Klatovy district is being built in Chanovice.
Technical heritage memorials
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Artefacts documenting the technological developments from ancient times to the beginning of
industry in Bohemia are exhibited by several museums in the region. The Brewery Museum and
the Škoda Museum in Plzeň, the Crafts Museum in Koloveč and the Dr Bohuslav Horák museum
in Rokycany which has a collection of stone-age artefacts and an exhibition documenting the history
of iron production, are just a few examples. At Železná Ruda the glass making tradition of the district is
the subject of a local theme path. Interesting technological sights such as the throat of a melting furnace
and the production hall of the first Vallenstein factory can be found in Sedlec. These date from the mid 19th
century and eventually gave rise to the Škoda Works in Plzeň. The first industries in the region are commemorated by technological monuments such as the water-powered iron-mill in Dobřív or the
Vchynicko-tetovský canal, which was used to float timber from the Šumava inland. There
are numerous other examples of unique technological projects and constructions
which including a pump storage water-power plant at Černé lake, the historic
water power plant on the Vydra at Čeňkova Pila which dates to the beginning of the 20th century, or the railway bridge over the Klabava valley
near Chrást.
Foto: 1. A railway bridge near Chrást, 2. – 4. Folk architecture in the Plzeň district
and in the Šumava, 5. A log house in Velhartice, 6. Water-powered iron mill at Dobřív,
7. a bridge across the Vchynicko-Tetovský canal, 8. The chateau mill under Buben
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Have a scare
Myths, legends and historic mysteries abound in many places of the Plzeň region.
Get acquainted with them, as well as with the various supernatural beings such
as devils, fairies, goblins, Radouš of the Radyně and other strange creatures that are
supposed to be hiding behind every other rock or twist of the path. Feel the mystery
or even horror of doing extraordinary things when exploring the abandoned labyrinths
of medieval mine shafts, the underground tunnels at the centre of Plzeň or the catacombs
in Klatovy with miraculously preserved mummies of monks and the local gentry.
Boys big and small alike can re-live historic events playing amongst the ruins of old castles and
fortresses. Among those worth seeing are Pajrek in the Klatovy district, Starý and Nový Herštejn
in the Domažlice district, Roupov, Skála and Buben in the Plzeň district, Volfštejn and Gutštejn
in the Tachov district and Libštejn and Krašov near the Berounka river. The real masters of historic
mystifications are groups of dramatic artists and swordsmen whose performances bring back
memories of old battles, kidnappings and raids and so make the atmosphere of medieval
castles more convincing. Particularly impressive are night tours of some castles
and chateaus, such as Nebílovy, Švihov or Plasy.
People’s imagination will inevitably be stimulated with the sight
of the huge granite blocks near Žihle or the bowls in the rocks in
Sedmihoří where traces of settlements of prehistoric people were
found. Many mysterious tales and legends surround the old fortified
settlements of the Šumava highlands.
Various other places within the region have legends associated with
deeds of Christian saints and their encounters with evil spirits. Also,
numerous pilgrimage chapels and small churches testify to the general
belief in healing springs, fountains and places of alleged miracles. For
example, the journey St Vojtěch undertook more than one thousand
years ago from Rome to Prague is still remembered, and near the top of
Březník in the Šumava, a chapel was erected at the place of St Vintíř’s
hermitage. Added to this should be the rock at Bolfánek near Chudenice which is believed to be reminiscent of St Wolfgang and his
meeting with the devil. Mysterious objects such as old stone-cut crosses
and round steles have also been found in great quantities north of Plzeň
and in the Tachov region. These were allegedly erected by people who
sought conciliation and forgiveness for the crimes they had committed. The stele
in Žebnice is the biggest in Czech Republic and probably the whole of Europe.
Foto: 1. The catacombs in Klatovy, 2. A disused mine shaft in Planá u Mariánských Lázní,
3. The church at Rejnštejn, 4. The Švihov castle, 5. Strašínská cave
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The countryside
The scenery of the Plzeň region is extraordinarily varied. From the mountainous regions
in the Šumava and the Český les forming the natural border with Bavaria to the highlands
at the foot of the Šumava to the undulating inland expanses, everywhere the visitor will find
a developed country with picturesque small towns and villages, large forests, waterways and
lakes. A typical feature of the region is deep river valleys; in the Šumava that
of the Úhlava river, further inland the canyons of the Střela near Rabštejn
and the Berounka after Plzeň. The region also comprises parts of the scenic
preserves of Křivoklátsko and Slavkovský les.
Of all regions within Czech Republic, the region of Plzeň boasts of most
natural parks – 23, and 177 smaller protected areas. Scenic attractions
can be found quite near Plzeň and other towns. With its 300 hectares,
the Střela canyon is the largest natural reserve in the region. Small
rivers and streams abound in romantic spots such as the Gutštejn
castle in the Hadovka valley, or the meanders of the Kosí and Úterský
streams. In more important locations, paths have been established
with panels informing the visitors about the history and natural rarities
of the location.
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The declaration of the Šumava National Park and its inclusion among
the UNESCO-protected biospheric reserves is a proof of the restored environment in the region, and so are various rare wild animals re-appearing in their original
habitats. Thus in the Šumava you can meet with lynx, otter or wood-grouse, in the Český les
with beaver. Some lakes have been declared bird preserves, and in the fishponds and streams
you can see again crayfish who are noted for their sensitivity to water pollution.
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Most of the woods and forests covering almost 40% of the region’s area are freely accessible to both tourists and the mushrooming and forest-fruit-picking public. Most of
the woods are spruce or pine monocultures. The largest wooded tracts are found in
the scarcely populated Brdy and around Radeč, or in the Manětín and Konstantinovy
Lázně districts north of Plzeň. The mixed woods of the Ždánovská and Chudenická
highlands are typical for the Klatovy district. Near Chudenice the tourists can see a
rare collection of decorative bushes and trees including a huge specimen of Douglas
fir tree. Some solitary leafy trees and groups of trees are government protected.
The huge trees of the old alleys such as Kilometrovka in Plzeň, the alley
leading to the former village of Ferdinandovo Údolí near Železná
Ruda, or that from Tachov to Světce will dwarf any visitor. Loca-
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tions with the original virginal forest vegetation are now protected areas, e.g.
Čerchovské hvozdy, Tišina and Bučina near Žďár in the Český les, Chejlava
and Chynínské buky south of Plzeň.
Even the briefest of reviews, highlighting some of the more interesting locations,
should allow the reader to appreciate how varied the countryside of the Plzeň region
is. The oldest national natural reserves are the Černé and Čertovo lakes in the Šumava.
Then consider Hromnické lake north of Plzeň, the site of a former slate quarry where the
slate was used in the production of sulphuric acid; Příšovská homolka, the southernmost
volcano of the Czech massif, or the hill of Krasíkov which is also of volcanic origin. The rock
formations of Andrejšky below the Radyně castle, Loupensko and the Tupadelské rocks have
been declared protected natural sights. Rocks used as training grounds by mountaineers can
be found on the sides of the Kozelka table mountain near Nečtiny and on the Polínský hill.
Also worth seeing are the rocking stones and the huge granite blocks at the locations called
U Báby and ULomu near Žihle. Interesting limestone formations are found in the Sušice and
Klatovy districts at places including the romantic lake near Čepice, Strašínská cave (currently
closed for the public) or the Loreta mine with bat colonies. Small lakes Skryjská
jezírka on the Zbirožský stream near Rokycany are known as sites for
trilobites, while the founding places for fossilised remains of
Carboniferous flora and the ”Bašta” outcrop of a bituminous
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coal seam rank among the most popular sights of the
Radnice district.
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For many years, nature has been shaped by man.
Some of man’s creations such as water canals
and mill races are easy to recognise, others are
hardly discernible. Old Celtic burial places,
remains of Slavonic settlements and traces of
medieval trading routes have almost been obliterated, just as many villages and farm houses
mere scores of years ago still teeming with life were
evacuated and destroyed by the cruel hand of man.
The only reminders of these villages in the Šumava
and the Český les are stone walls dividing the former
fields, groups of old fruit trees, crosses at the places
of former village churches, as well as renovated small
chapels, wayside crosses or cemeteries.
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Foto: 1. The American Garden, 2. Autumnal countryside, 3. The Chynínské buky reserve, 4. A protected
tree, 5. Lakes in the southern parts of the Plzeň region, 6. The hunters’ chateau of Diana, 7. Rocky columns
at Polínský vrch, 8. Krasíkov: a church and a castle ruin, 9. The Hromnické lake, 10. The Berounka after
Plzeň, 11. Gross Arber, 12. The Žichovice lake, 13. 300-million-year-old petrified lycopodium trunk,
14. A trilobite
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The Šumava
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The Šumava lies in the south-west of Czech Republic and borders Bavaria and Austria,
adjoins Bayerischer Wald (the Bavarian Forest) and forms the largest wooded area in Central
Europe. Because of its extensive water sources, rich fauna and flora and clean air it is
often referred to as ”the green roof of Europe”. In 1991, part of the Šumava, an area of
69,030 hectares, was declared a National Park, the largest of the four National Parks in
the country. Its most valuable parts are classified Zone I, and as such left completely
undisturbed to natural developments without man’s interference. A characteristic feature of the Šumava is extensive highland swamps with typical
peat vegetation and dwarf mountain pine growths giving rise to scores
of streams. There also are several glacial lakes, the only ones on the territory of Czech Republic.
Enthusiastic reports of some visitors express the view that the Šumava
is a small paradise on earth that needs be seen to be believed. Come
and listen to the mysterious murmur of the woods, see and feel the
soothing fairy-story winter and the incredible varieties of green in
late spring, experience the cool valleys and refreshing breath of the
mountain streams and marshlands in the hottest summer, the
melancholy, rich colours and creeping fogs of early autumn, and
the late-autumn and early-winter inversions when the mountain
tops bathe in warm sunshine. And all of this whilst the inland
regions are covered by a dense layer of frosty fogs. Scan the array
of nameless woody ranges and pick up the unmistakable skylines
of the peaks of Boubín, Oblík, Poledník and Ostrý in Bohemia, and
Roklan, Luzný and Gross Arber in Bavaria, the highest mountain in both
the Šumava and the Bavarian Forest. Take a walk along the path following
the winding Vydra river with its huge hollowed-out granite boulders; from
a train window enjoy views of the deep valley of the Úhlava river at Brčálník
with Jezerní hora looming on the horizon; stop for a while before Bílá strž,
the largest waterfall in the Šumava, and then maybe take time out to read the short
stories and novels by Karel Klostermann depicting the hard life of the people in
the remote mountain regions, and pay homage to our ancestors who loved these
cruel mountains as much as we do.
A hot issue at present is the fate of the ”dead forest” in both the Šumava and
Bayerischer Wald where bark beetle caused the death of thousands of coniferous trees in large tracts of the highlands. In Zone I areas the dead forest is
left as it is, to allow the natural mixture of leafy and coniferous trees
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to replace the original all-spruce woods. Through this process the
natural forest will return to areas exploited by man for centuries.
In the Šumava you can visit towns of rich mining, iron-making,
glass-making and wood-working traditions. The largest tourist centre
of today is Železná Ruda noted for its church of St Mary the Helper with
unusual onion-shaped cupola. The mining traditions of Kašperské Hory are
remembered through an open-air museum with exhibits documenting gold-ore
mining and processing. Remnants of numerous medieval mines can still be seen
in the vicinity of the town.
The village of Dobrá Voda near another old mining town Hartmanice boasts a renovated
and newly consecrated church with an all-glass altar and Way of the Cross designed by the local artist Vladimíra Tesařová. There is also the Dr Šimon Adler museum of Jewish heritage. Other
popular tourist centres are in Rejštejn, Horská Kvilda, Modrava, Srní and Prášily.
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The altar in the Dobrá Voda church recalls 600 years’ history of glass making in the Šumava,
Brdy and Český les (the Bohemian Forest). The products of local glass works including rosary
beads, vases, sheet glass as well as a wide range of decorative glass products and artefacts
for everyday use, used to be exported to many countries of the world. Of the more than
160 glass works in the Šumava only few survive to date. The best known of the remaining
works is the glass-cutting shop in Annín. Now few people realise that the word Huť (mill)
in many place names originated in the glass-making period.
There are many museums in the Šumava which exhibit glass products and historic artefacts
associated with glass production. One example is the museum in Kašperské Hory where
a collection of beautiful original products of the Klášterský Mlýn glass works can be seen. However
the glass-making tradition is more alive in neighbouring Bavaria, where some works are open
for tourists who can admire the skills of the local glass makers.
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Foto: 1. The Royal forest (Čertovo lake, the mountains of Jezerní and Svaroh, in the background the peaks of Ostrý), 2. The Bílá strž waterfall, 3. The church at Železná Ruda,
4. The town hall at Kašperské Hory, 5. The glass altar at Dobrá Voda near Hartmanice,
6. Masterpieces of the Šumava glass makers, 7. Wood grouse, 8. Lynx, 9. The Sekerský
stream, 10. Border crossing Gsenget near Prášily, 11. Turnerova chalet, 12. Autumn
scenery near Horská Kvilda, 13. Log path at the Jezerní swamp, 14. The Laka
lake, 15. Grenze Hütte in Bayerisch Eisenstein
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The ZOO in Plzeň
The zoological and botanical garden is located north of the city centre on a 21-hectare site of a rare
scenic beauty. It is the only institution of its kind in the whole of Czech Republic combining both
zoological and botanical exhibits. The individual sections of the garden represent the zoological
and geographic biotopes of all continents. Altogether the Zoo looks after 5,500 animals from over
1,100 different species. The principal policy of the Zoo is to create the best possible conditions for
its inmates. As an example, a community o f chimpanzees are allowed the freedom of a large area, and
kept quite unconfined behind a ditch. Among the greatest visitor attractions are the rare Berber
lions kept in a fre e range next to the main Zoo gate, and Usury tigers kept in a range which
includes a small lake, stream and viewing terraces. Open in 2006 was an Americal pavilion
with lynx, in 2007 an Madagascar pavilion with African hoofed animals.
The Lüftnerka farmhouse from the 19th century, included in the Zoo
premises, presents domestic animals in their traditional environment.
It also contains within its walls 400 historic agricultural tools
and implements. Plant lovers will enjoy a visit to the hot house
which accommodates succulent plants from three different
regions, including the remarkable Welvitschia mirabilis.
Plzeň Zoo has the largest collection of reptiles and invertebrates in Central Europe. Some of these animals are
exhibited in the Akva-Tera centre in the city. Other facilities available at the Zoo include a shop selling Madagascar
lemur souvenirs, a Siberian log house, an African-style Kiboko
restaurant, and numerous refreshment stalls.
The Zoo in Plzeň is open to visitors all the year round. Summertime
hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., whilst in the winter the Zoo in open
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Akva-Terra centre at 5, Palacký square is open from
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information see www.zooplzen.cz.
Your visist to the Zoo can be combined with that to the adjoining Dinopark
(see www.dinopark.cz).
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Views from high up
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Those who are looking for unusual experiences should not miss the opportunity to climb a hill, viewing tower or a church spire to take a bird’s-eye view
of both the well and less-well known places. And there are many such opportunities
in the varied countryside of the Plzeň region.
In the city of Plzeň itself, visitors may climb up to the observation platform on the spire
of the St Bartholomew’s cathedral 62 meters above the main square which overlooks the whole city and its
surroundings, and provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate the personality of the area. You can also enjoy
unusual views of Plzeň from the observation tower on Sylván, or from the viewing tower at the top of Chlum.
There are many places in the region which offer the discerning visitor opportunities to enjoy beautiful and interesting views such as those of Domažlice from the nearby hill with the pilgrimage church of St Vavřinec, or
of Klatovy from the Black Tower. You can also take pleasure in the tremendous panoramic views of the scenery
around Sušice from the viewing tower at the top of Svatobor, or from the nearby hill Sedlo where another viewing tower is under construction. Lovers of Czech history will no doubt appreciate places of far views such
as Výhledy, with its memorial to the priest and author J. Š. Baar in Chodsko, and also the Radyně castle
near Plzeň, Rýzmberk near Kdyně or Krašov overlooking the Berounka valley.
The Plzeň region also offers something to those who are not after tranquillity, but who seek adrenaline
activities or experiences. Mountaineers will no doubt appreciate the lure of the rock formations
in Kozelce near Nečtiny, Radyně near Starý Plzenec, the top parts of Žďár near Rokycany, and many
other local areas in which they can indulge in their sporting activities.
There are also opportunities to enjoy views of the countryside from an aeroplane. Flying clubs in Plzeň, Plasy, Klatovy, Staňkov, Erpružice and Tachov have regular
programmes of sight- seeing flights which are open to the public, and
clubs in Klatovy and other locations organise courses in parachute
jumping and parachute-tandem jumps. The owners of ultra-light
aircraft will find a network of airports open for small aeroplanes.
The main gliding centre is in Letkov near Plzeň. The para-gliding
and rogalo enthusiasts can practice their sports from the grassy
slopes on the banks of the Úslava river in Koterov. Other starting
ramps are close to the top of Svatobor near Sušice or at Třebouňský
hill near Toužim, just beyond the region’s border. To admire the scenery of the Šumava and Bayerischer Wald from high up, it is best to use
the starting ramp near the top of Malý Ostrý in Bavaria.
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In summer, the real adrenaline fanatics may try bungee jumping from the road bridge across the water reservoir above
the Hracholuská river dam.
Foto: 1. Aerial view of the central part of Plzeň with its belt of parks
and public gardens, 2. Mountaineers
at Kozelka, 3. Climbers’ training wall,
4. Hot-air balloons above Rabí, 5. The
Čerchov, 6. The viewing tower at Svatobor near
Sušice, 7. The statue of J. Š. Baar at Výhledy
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Come and enjoy yourself
Visit us in spring, summer, autumn or winter. Get acquainted with our region, its people,
scenery, history, sights, culture and everyday life. Come in a car, on a train or bus, on foot,
on a bicycle, in a canoe, on skis or on horseback. Take an aerial view of our beautiful
countryside with the beads of lakes, ribbons of rivers and endless forests expanses.
Draw new vital energy from stays in the mountains, villages, wilderness
or agro-tourism centres. Your companions will be the sweet smell
of the meadows, hum of the forests, roar of the rapids and songs
of the birds. Participate in sports, take walks, simply relax by
the waterside, or swim and bathe.
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With the exception of the mountainous areas, which during the
winter months will be covered in deep snow, the opportunities
for scenic walks and hikes in the country are available all the year
round. Well marked and maintained tourist paths lead you through
places of rare natural beauty and historic interest. In fact, the total
length of marked tourist paths and trails in the region is over
4,000 km, with a denser networks of trails near bigger towns
and in the Šumava. Experts agree that the path marking done
by the Czech Tourist Club is exceptional, and few countries
can offer similar comfort to the visiting hikers.
Among the most interesting tourist destinations are the peaks of Ostrý,
Březník, Oblík and Ždánovská highlands in the Šumava; the Střela valley between Rabštejn and Plasy, the Úterský stream, the Krašov castle over
the Berounka, the Skála castle near Přeštice and the Buben castle in the Plzeň
district; Radeč, Žďár, the Berounka valley, the Libštejn castle and the valleys
of the Zbirožský and Radnický streams in the Rokycany district; the valley of the
Mže near Pavlovice, the Kosí stream, the Volfštejn castle, the ruins of the Přimda
castle and Konstantinovy Lázně in the Tachov district; Čerchov – the highest
mountain of the Český les, the church of St Anna on the Tannaberg
hill near Všeruby, Koráb, the ruins of the Rýzmberk castle and the
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ranges of the Chudenická highlands in the Domažlice district; the valley of
the Ostružná stream, the fairy-tale wood near Nalžovské Hory and Svatobor near
Sušice in the Klatovy district.
Although most of the cycling public still believe that spring and summer are
the best seasons, for some, cycling has become an all-year-round activity. Cycle
tracks, which are carefully planned to avoid roads with busy traffic, lead to numerous tourist attractions. For instance at the foot of the Šumava and Český les, in
the Brdy and in the Manětín and Rokycany districts, which are relatively flat
terrains, there are scores of kilometres of well-kept forest roads and footpaths
which are closed to motor traffic. Similar roads can also be found at altitudes
of about 1,000 m on the large plains near Modrava. It is no overstatement to say
that we are inviting you into to a real cycling paradise. Those who like dramatic
climbs and down-hill rides invariably head for the mountains. However, the
deep canyons of the inland rivers also offer similar experiences.
In the Šumava, the most frequently visited mountain peak
is Poledník (1,315 m) which boasts a viewing tower.
You can also cycle to the top of Pancíř (1,214 m) near
Železná Ruda and Gross Arber (1,456 m) in Bavaria.
Both of these peaks can be reached by funicular. If you
don’t bring your own cycle don’t worry, mountain and
tracking bikes are for hire at all major tourist centres.
Foto: 1. The top of Oblík, 2. The Tříjezerní swamp,
3. The chalet at Pancíř, 4. The Ejpovické lake with red cliffs
in the background, 5. A ferry on the Berounka river near Darová,
6. the viewing tower at Poledník, 7. Rock formations near Přeštice
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Come and enjoy yourself
Another alternative available to sportsmen is boating. The deep canyon of the Berounka
river between Plzeň and Zvíkovec is a very popular location for this sport. Further down, the
river flows through the picturesque Křivoklát district in Central Bohemia, to places where the
writer Ota Pavel used to spend his leisure time fishing. Conveniently the Otava river is passable
from Sušice to Horaždovice to Písek; experienced boating and rafting people will relish shooting the rapids of the swollen spring waters of the Otava from Čeňkova Pila to Rejnštejn. As
a matter of fact, this section of the river is considered to be one of the most attractive wild
waters in the country. In the spring time the Otava is also passable for the boating public
from Rejnštejn. On the other hand, the middle and lower courses of the Úslava and Úhlava,
the upper course of the Mže and the Střela below Rabštejn are passable only at higher
water marks. Boating equipment can be hired in Plzeň or Sušice.
Recently the so-called agro-tourism has been gaining on popularity. You
can choose accommodation at a cottage or farm house in the country, relish
the home-made food, sing songs to a guitar accompaniment at a fireside in
the evening and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of a country home. Another
popular pastime is horse riding. Scores of horse riding schools all over the
region hire out horses for more experienced riders and also offer lessons for
beginners. Most agro-tourism facilities have their own horse stables or can
arrange for riding horses to be hired by visitors.
A wide selection of other types of accommodation is available including
hotels, boarding houses, rooms in private houses and camping sites at summer
holiday resorts. Parkhotel Plzeň, the Courtryard by Marriott Pilsen hotel, the
Primavera hotel in Plzeň, the Srní and Šumava hotels at Srní, the OREA
hotels Horizont and Špičák in Železná Ruda and the Darovanský dvůr
hotel in the Rokycany district are congress-tourism centres offering
a complete range of services for the demanding clientele.
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As for other sports and games, a wide range of sporting facilities including various
playgrounds, football fields, tennis, squash and volleyball courts, gymnasiums and sports
halls are available and accessible to the public mainly in the bigger towns and tourist
centres in the region.
The lovers of high-adrenaline activities will test their capabilities at both outdoor
and indoor climbing walls in Plzeň, ride roller-skates or skateboards on U-ramps
and other special tracks, or go for rides in extreme cycling, skiing or boating terrains. You even may have your try at zorbing near Rakolusky on the Berounka.
Mountain bike enthusiasts will enjoy the large Bike Park with a variety
of terrain obstacles at Špičák in the Šumava.
In the evenings, the youth (but not only they) enjoy themselves at discotheques, bowling halls and restaurants all over the region.
Golf is continually growing in Czech Republic, and because of the 27-hole
course in the golf resort Darovanský dvůr, the 18-hole course in Dýšina
near Plzeň and in Alfrédov near Stříbro and the 9-hole course in Hořehledy,
the Plzeň region ranks among the leading golf centres in Czech
Republic. All courses have driving ranges where beginners
may test their aptitudes for this popular sport.
Hunting and fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to try their luck in the Plzeň region. The deer
hunting grounds are in Obora, Pernarec, Dolní Bělá and elsewhere. Moufflons are hunted in Zábělá near Plzeň, Šipín
and Rochlov. Fisherman are required to purchase a permit.
Carp and other fish can be found at the Velký bolevecký
or Hnačovský lakes in the Klatovy district. Carp, candat,
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Foto: 1. Rapids on the Otava, 2. The quied Berounka, 3. The Krašov castle over the Berounka
valley, 4. The Horizont hotel at the Šumava
mountains, 5. congress hall of the Darovanský
dvůr, 6. golf resort Darovanský dvůr, 7. Laser-show
in Club Alfa in Plzeň
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Come and enjoy yourself
pike and perch can be had at the Hracholusky river dam reservoir. Pike and candat are also
found in the flooded surface mine in Ejpovice or in the nearby reservoir on the Klabava river.
The most beautiful rivers of the region, the Vydra, Otava and Střela are well-known troutfishing grounds.
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If the heat is too oppressive, why not go for a dip to one
of the swimming pools or lakes which are suitable
for bathing. The river reservoir at Hracholusky
near Stříbro is an ideal place for swimming and
water skiing. Here you can also take a scenic
ride on a steamboat, play minigolf, or hire
a boat or paddle boat. The children will
enjoy themselves on water trampolines. In
addition, the Velký bolevecký lake is host
to many regular regattas. The Ejpovické
lake with red cliffs and the flooded coal
mine near Radnice are noted for their clear
water. Among other lakes popular with summer holiday makers are Hnačovský in the Klatovy district, Dlouhý (Sycherák) in the Tachov
district and Nový lying south of Plzeň.
Foto: 1. The Hracholusky reservoair, 2.–3. The Velký Bolevecký lake in Plzeň
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Spas and health
regeneration facilities
The former region of West Bohemia was noted for its numerous spas such as the worldwide known spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně. The only spa town that
remains in the newly-formed Plzeň region is Konstantinovy Lázně, which is located
in the Tachov district. Other places of a spa character such as Lázně Letiny have
ceased to serve its purpose.
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The first records of a mineral water spring found in Konstantinovy Lázně date to the
beginning of the 16th century. In 1803 local farmers erected a wooden structure of four
rooms next to the spring. However, the oldest preserved spa building is the Prusík
pavilion built in 1875 in the Art-Nouveau style. Other spa buildings, as well as the old
and new drinking pavilions, and an open-air theatre are located in the vicinity of the wellmaintained spa park.
Konstantinovy Lázně is used especially for those who suffer with cardiovascular diseases, and
provides complex prevention, treatment and convalescence programmes. This includes drinking the local mineral water which contains the highest concentration of natural carbon dioxide of
all Czech mineral springs. Among the other conditions treated in Konstantinovy Lázně are
diseases of movement organs, metabolism disorders and respiratory complaints. The
spa can accommodate 440 patients in its residence buildings which are open all
the year round.
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Konstantinovy Lázně is located in a gently undulating countryside with
many popular tourist destinations within easy reach. Krasíkov, Ovčí hill,
the Hadovka and the Gutštejn castle, Šipín, the valley of the Úterský
stream, the hills of Hradišťský and Falkenstein, are just a few of these. It is
recommended that spa patients take walks and short trips in this quiet and
peaceful wooded country. In addition to the indoor swimming pool within
the spa area, patients and visitors alike are invited to take advantage of
the sports facilities of the neighbouring community. These include an
outdoor swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, and a football
field. There is pétangue in summer, and ice-stick shooting in
winter. A nearby camping site which caters for motorised
visitors is available for those who wish to stay longer in this
pleasant community.
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Foto: 1.–8. Konstantinovy Lázně, 9. Magneto-therapy at the rehabilitation centre of the Horizont hotel in Železná Ruda, 10. The
ruins of the Gutštejn castle
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Winter delights
When it is freezing hard and the countryside is covered with snow, the delights of winter are at their best in the Plzeň region. The main winter-sport resorts in the Šumava
mountains are Železná Ruda, Kašperské Hory, Prášily, Srní and Modrava; they all offer
a wide variety of skiing slopes, cross-country skiing tracks and snowboarding slopes.
The total length of skiing slopes in the area is 45 km, and the existing 50 ski-tows have
an average hourly capacity of 30,000 people.
While most of the skiing slopes are found around Železná Ruda, the
largest skiing centre of the whole Šumava region is Špičák where the
choice of skiing slopes will satisfy both active sportsmen, whether skiers
or snowboarders, and beginners, including families with small children. At Kašperské Hory you will find a modernised skiing resort
gaining on popularity every year. Under good snow conditions
the skiing slopes in Hojsova Stráž and Javorná add to the
sporting capacities of the area. In the Bohemian Forest
(Český les) the best known skiing slope is at Přimda. Sádek
near Capartice is the leading winter sports centre of the
Domažlice district. In addition to these, ever more skiing
slopes are maintained using artificial snow, so that the winter
sports season in Špičák can be over 100 days long. Also, in the
district of Železná Ruda, there are several skiing schools.
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In truth the Šumava offers ideal terrains for cross-country skiing and
ski tourism. Carefully maintained skiing tracks of the total length of
over 70 km can be found near the villages of Kvilda, Horská Kvilda,
Modrava and Filipova Huť and on the large surrounding plateaus at an altitude of about 1,000 metres above the sea
level. From there, trips can be made to the springs of the
Vltava river, to Březník, the Tříjezerní swamp and other
enchanting locations in the deep forests at the border
of the country. If you are lucky, you may even meet
the best Czech skier and Olympic winner Kateřina
Neumannová.
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Many other resorts are also beginning to establish themselves as
popular ski tourism centres. For example, tens of kilometres of tourist
cross-country tracks are maintained in the vicinity of Srní and Prášily.
From Srní you can make a trip along the Vchynicko-tetovský canal to Modrava, or go from Prášily to Poledník, Prášilské lake or the Laka lake. Fifty-five
kilometres of cross-country skiing tracks are also maintained around Železná
Ruda with a large car-park at Gerlova Huť. It is also the case that the track leading
to the frontier crossing of Ferdinandovo údolí has connections to the cross-country tracks
around Zwieslerwaldhaus in Bavaria. Within 20 km of the frontier crossing in Železná Ruda
there are another five Bavarian cross-country skiing resorts. In the Bohemian Forest you will find
cross-country tracks around Čerchov and Capartice.
Apart from the regularly maintained and marked cross-country tracks, skiers can use most of
the marked cycling and pedestrian trails in the Šumava and the Bohemian Forest. There you will
meet fewer people and the undisturbed white expanses of snow will be all yours. And should you
come to the Brdy in the Rokycany district, the largest inland mountain range, you would be able
to enjoy truly virginal scenery far away from human turmoil and haste.
Ice-skating enthusiasts should visit the ice stadiums in Plzeň, Třemošná, Rokycany, Tachov,
Domažlice, Sušice or Klatovy. However, when the more permanent frosts set in, thousands
of children and adults invariably come to the numerous lakes found all over the region,
where improvised ice rings accommodate exciting ice-hockey matches and figureskating exhibitions. In the lowlands where the snow does not usually stay
long on the ground, every small hill or slope in the towns and villages
swarm with children on skis, sledges and various makeshift means
of enjoying the snow whilst it lasts.
Foto: 1. Skiing slopes at Špičák, 2. Artificial snow guns in action,
3. View of Ostrý from Pancíř, 4. The snow-clad Vydra river bed,
5. The cableway to Pancíř, 6. The Přimda castle in winter,
7. Skating under the castle at Horšovský Týn
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Want to have fun?
Plzeň and the whole Plzeň region have colourful cultural traditions and a rich contemporary cultural life. A number of outstanding representatives of Czech culture were born or lived in the
Plzeň region, for example composer Bedřich Smetana, painters Václav Brožík and Mikoláš Aleš,
writer Karel Klostermann, marionetteer Josef Skupa, painter and illustrator Jiří Trnka, author
and popular actor Miroslav Horníček, traveller Miroslav Zikmund and others.
Both Plzeň and other larger towns of the region run theatres of different kinds.
The Theatre of J. K. Tyl with its two scenes, Big and Chamber Theatres,
and the Alfa Theatre in Plzeň specialised in dramatic production
for children, have excellent reputation extending far beyond
the region’s borders. Plzeň is the host city for several theatre
festivals, e.g. the annual festival ”Divadlo” in September or
”Skupa’s Plzeň” taking place every other year. In April,
4
the annual national film festival ”Finále” presenting
the latest products of the Czech film industry attracts
large audiences as well as renowned fi lm producers
and film stars.
3
The Smetana Days are another Plzeň festival with a wide
range of concert, theatre and exhibition events. The lovers
of classical music would not miss the concert series under the
name of Haydn Music Festival in the nearby Dolní Lukavice,
Přeštice and the Nebílovy chateau. Summer music festivals
are organised at other places of the region too. In Plzeň, the
annual August festival of theatre and music called Jazz, Strings
and Theatre in the Street has become one of the leading cultural
events of the season.
Various folk festivals have also gained general acknowledgement. The most
popular are the brass band music show in Klatovy in March, the international folk
festival in Plzeň in June, the ethnographic festival in Výhledy in July and ”Chodské slavnosti”
in Domažlice in August. The tradition of annual fairs and markets is still alive in many
communities. Some of these have become colourful events with sales of local
5
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products, but also demonstrations of medieval crafts
and techniques. At such a fair or market you can smell
cakes being baked, taste freshly made delicacies such
as ”trdla” or ”lokše”, watch a smith work red-hot
iron, a craftsman hollow out a bowl, try your luck
with a potter’s wheel, test your marksmanship when
shooting an arrow at a medieval target and buy a lot
of fine presents including replicas of etched glasses of
the castle lords. The end of winter brings Shrovetide
carnivals the tradition of which is particularly observed
in Chodsko and the Klatovy districts. Freedom festivals
are organised at many places in the beginning of May to commemorate the end of World War II and liberation of the region
by the American Army in 1945. Indispensable part of these festivals are
military parades with reviews of historical army vehicles. Another event of a military
nature is the annual ”Bahna” Army Day at the turn of May and June. Groups of swordsmen in historic costumes come every year to lay siege to and take the Rabí castle. During
the sommer months, in the recently open castle moat you may take part in an interesting
event ”The Rabí Apiary“ and listen to an unconventional natural history
lesson on bees, bee-keeping and life in the country, see historical
beehives and bee-keeping equipment; you can also buy various
bee products there. Other castles, chateaus and monasteries
try hard to attract visitors by combining sightseeing tours
with special programmes for both children and adults.
Swordsmen, jugglers, barkers and gamblers are at their
best at the Historic Weekend in Plzeň in mid June.
Foto: 1. – 2. J. K. Tyl’s theatre in Plzeň, 3. Liberation celebrations,
4. The statues of Spejbl and Hurvínek, 5. A scene from the Alfa
theatre, 6. The Chodské festival, 7. The historic
weekend in Plzeň
7
6
29
1
Want to have a drink?
The town’s beer has made the name of Plzeň known worldwide. The beer-brewing tradition goes back to the end of the 13th century when King Václav II granted a beer-brewing
licence to the town dwellers. The modern history of beer brewing in Plzeň, however,
is usually dated from 1842, the foundation year of the Burghers’ Brewery. Now it appears
that it was, among other things, a major stroke of luck that helped the first brewer
of the Burghers’ Brewery, attempting to produce beer that would equal in taste
and appearance the Bavarian beers of the time, make a far superior brew.
Besides Pilsner Urquell, the brewery later started to produce Gambrinus
that is recently the most popular Czech beer brand. Plzeň is not the
only place in the region where beer is brewed; for example, the family
brewery in Chodová Planá produces Chodovar, a beer brand of a very
good standing in the beer brewers’ contests in Czech Republic. The
Chodovar brewery runs a well-known restaurant “Ve skále”, placed
in the brewery cellars dug in a sandstone rock, and the so-called
beer spa offering original treatment using beer yiest and other raw
matterials. The recent developments indicate that even small
breweries may find their place in the beer market.
2
The Plzeň region has traditions of spirit and wine making too.
As early as in 1920, the Italian entrepreneur Lionello Stock
founded a subsidiary of its prosperous liqueur company in
Božkov, a suburb of Plzeň. Even though the main products
of the Božkov plant had been for many years Stock brandy and
cognac, it was the bitter liqueur Fernet, in production since
1927, that eventually became the flagship of the Stock plant.
The Fernet made in Božkov is now the most popular Czech spirit
with a regular place in the Top 100 of the best-selling spirit brands
in the world. Among other small distilleries the plant in Prádlo stands out
with its product range including plum brandy, apple brandy and the new infernal
drink “Krvesaj” (Blood Sucker).
The origin of the company Bohemia Sekt in Starý Plzenec near Plzeň dates to
1942. The first products of the company were sparkling wine brands of Black
3
4
30
5
Widow and Chateau Radyně. An important turning
point in the company’s fate was the engagement of
Luis Girardot, a French expert on sparkling wines at the
end of the 1940s. Since that time the company specialised in
the production of sparkling wines. The current product range of
the company includes the popular Bohemia Sekt brand, but also other
brands of high and extra-high quality sparkling wines. Recently Bohemia Sekt
has acquired major wine-making plants in Moravia and so has become the biggest
wine producer in the country.
Visitors to the Plzeň region should not miss the opportunity to taste the ”dumpling meals” so typical of the Czech cuisine, for example goulash, roasted pork
with sauerkraut or sirloin with cream sauce. You can have any of these in
countless pubs or restaurants. When enjoying the original West Bohemian
drinks you can prove the truth of the saying that they taste best close to
the place of origin. The beer-loving public are welcome to the traditional
October Beer Weekend to celebrate the anniversary of the brewery’s
foundation directly at its premises in Plzeň.
Needless to say that temperance is the best policy here,
although experts in the field will claim that really good
drinks will never give you a headache.
Foto: 1. The Pilsner Urquell brewery gate,
2. A barrel-rolling contest at Chodová
Planá, 3. The brewery interior and
the Blue Star restaurant in Dobřany,
4. Pilsner Fest – the October beer
festival in Plzeň, 5. A world record
in Plzeň: the biggest number of people drinking at the same time,
6. A wine shop in Plzeň selling the products of Bohemia Sekt a. s., Starý Plzenec
6
31
Valuable historic sights
Plzeňský Prazdroj, a.s.
Pilsner Urquell Brewery
U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň
tel.: +420 377 062 888 www.prazdroj.cz
• • •
Plzeňské historické podzemí
The historic underground in Plzeň
Veleslavínova 1, 301 00 Plzeň
tel.: +420 377 235 574 www.plzenskepodzemi.cz
• • •
Velká synagoga
The Great Synagogue
sady Pětatřicátníků 11, 301 24 Plzeň
tel: +420 377 235 749, www.zoplzen.cz
• • •
Chrám sv. Bartoloměje
St Bartholomew’s cathedral
nám. Republiky 35, 301 16 Plzeň
tel.: +420 377 236 753
• • •
Památník obětem zla
The memorial to the victims of evil
Na Kramlíku, 301 00 Plzeň-Doudlevce
tel.: +420 603 809 798, www.bip.cz
• • •
Zoologická a botanická zahrada
Zoological and botanical gardens
Pod Vinicemi 9, 301 16 Plzeň
tel.: +420 378 038 325, fax: +420 378 038 302
www.zooplzen.cz
• • •
Zámek Bezdružice
The Bezdružice chateau
nám. Kr. Haranta 1, 349 53 Bezdružice
tel.: +420 374 629 262, www.zamekbezdruzice.com
• • •
Blovice – zámek Hradiště
The Blovice – Hradiště chateau
Hradiště 1, 336 01 Blovice
tel.: +420 371 522 208, www.muzeum-blovice.cz
• • •
Zámek Bor u Tachova
The Bor u Tachova chateau
348 02 Bor
tel.: +420 374 789 198, www.mubor.cz
• • •
Chodský hrad – muzeum Chodska
The Chodský castle and museum
Chodské nám. 96, 344 01 Domažlice
tel.: +420 379 776 009, fax: +420 379 720 515
www.muzeum-muzeumchodska.com
• • •
Hrad a zámek Horšovský Týn
The castle and chateau in Horšovský Týn
nám. Republiky 1, 346 01 Horšovský Týn
tel.: +420 379 423 111, fax: +420 379 423 113
www.horsovsky-tyn.cz
Zámek Chudenice
The Chudenice chateau
U Černínského zámku 1, Chudenice, 339 01 Klatovy
tel.: +420 376 398 100 www.chudenice.klatovsko.cz
• • •
Zřícenina hradu Kašperk
The Kašperk castle ruin
Žlíbek 55, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 582 324 www.kasperk.cz
• • •
Klášter Kladruby
The Kladruby monastery,
349 61 Kladruby
tel.: +420 374 631 773 www.kladruby.euweb.cz
• • •
Hrad a zámek Klenová
The Klenová castle and chateau
Klenová 1, 340 21 Janovice
tel.: +420 376 392 208 www.gkk.cz
• • •
Zámek Kozel
The Kozel chateau
332 03 Šťáhlavy
tel.: +420 377 969 040
www.zamek-kozel.cz
• • •
Muzeum a galerie severního Plzeňska,
klášter Mariánská Týnice
The Mariánská Týnice monastery,
a museum and gallery
331 41 Mariánská Týnice
tel.: +420 373 396 410 www.marianskatynice.cz
• • •
Zámek Manětín
The Manětín chateau
331 62 Manětín
tel.: +420 373 392 283 www.zamek-manetin.cz
• • •
Zámek Mirošov
The Mirošov chateau
náměstí Míru 1, 338 43 Mirošov
tel.: +420 602 163 813 www.zamek-mirosov.cz
• • •
Zámek Nebílovy
The Nebílovy chateau
Nebílovy 1, 332 04 Nezvěstice
tel.: +420 377 917 090 www.zamek-nebilovy.cz
chateau
castle
convent
castle ruins
national park border
nature preserve border
Klášter Plasy
The Plasy monastery
Plzeňská 2, 331 01 Plasy
tel.: +420 373 322 174 www.klaster-plasy.cz
• • •
Hrad a zámek Poběžovice
The Poběžovice castle and chateau
tel.: +420 379 497 889 www.pobezovice.cz
• • •
Zřícenina hradu Rabí, the Rabí castle ruin
Rabí 53, 342 01 Sušice
tel., fax: +420 376 596 172 www.rabi.cz
• • •
Zřícenina hradu Radyně
The Radyně castle ruin
Smetanova 932, 332 02 Starý Plzenec
tel.: +420 377 183 662 www.staryplzenec.cz
• • •
Minoritský klášter a muzeum Stříbro
The minorite monastery museum in Stříbro
Masarykovo nám. 21, 349 01 Stříbro,
tel.: +420 374 627 247 www.muzeumstribro.cz
• • •
Hrad Švihov, the Švihov castle
340 12 Švihov
tel.: +420 376 393 378 www.hradsvihov.cz
• • •
Hrad Velhartice, the Velhartice castle
Velhartice 1, 341 42 Kolinec
tel.: +420 376 583 315 www.hradvelhartice.cz
• • •
Zámek Zbiroh, the Zbiroh chateau
Zámek č. p 1, 338 08 Zbiroh,
tel.: +420 371 784 598, 606 790 833 www.zbiroh.com
• • •
Muzeum Českého lesa, klášter Tachov
The Český les museum, the Tachov monastery
třída Míru 447, 347 01 Tachov
tel.: +420 374 722 171-2 www.tachov-mesto.cz
Information centres
Informační centrum města Plzně
Nám. Republiky 41, 301 00 Plzeň
tel.: +420 378 035 330
www.plzen-city.cz
Informační centrum města Plzně (ČD)
Nádražní 9, 301 00 Plzeň
tel.: +420 378 037 457
www.plzen-city.cz
Slovenská informační kancelář
Slovanská tř. 7, 326 00 Plzeň
tel.: +420 377 227 143
www.sochor.cz
Městská knihovna a informační středisko
Pavlovická 352, 345 26 Bělá n. Radbuzou
tel.: +420 379 766 318
www.sumavanet.cz/icbela
Informační centrum Eurocamp Běšiny
Běšiny 220, 339 01 Běšiny
tel.: +420 376 375 011
www. sumava.net/icbesiny.cz
Městské informační středisko, zámek Bor
Plzeňská 259, 348 02 Bor u Tachova
tel.: +420 374 789 198
www.mubor.cz
Městské kulturní středisko Dobřany – infocentrum
Nám. TGM 5, 334 41 Dobřany
tel.: +420 377 972 725
www.dobrany.cz
Městské informační centrum Domažlice
Nám. Míru 51, 344 01 Domažlice
tel.: +420 379 725 852
www.domazlice.info
Městské informační středisko
Hartmanice 40, 342 01 Sušice
tel.: +420 376 593 059
www.sumava.net/ichartmanice
Městské kulturní a informační středisko Holýšov
Americká 516, 345 62 Holýšov
tel.: +420 379 491 821
www.mestoholysov.cz
Regionální informační centrum Prácheňska
Zámek 11, 341 01 Horažďovice
tel.: +420 376 513 666, +420 376 511 999
www.ciao.cz www.sumavanet.cz/ihorazdovice
Informační středisko Horská Kvilda
385 01 Horská Kvilda 14
tel.: +420 388 435 555
www.horskakvilda.cz
Regionání informační centrum
5. května 50, 346 01 Horšovský Týn
tel.: +420 379 415 151
www.horsovskytyn.cz
Turistické a environmentální informační
centrum v Kladrubech
Husova 6, Kladruby
tel.: +420 373 721 002, +420 774 365 624
[email protected]
Informační centrum města Klatovy
Nám. Míru 63, 339 01 Klatovy
tel.: +420 376 347 240
www.klatovy.cz/icklatovy
Chodské regionální informační středisko
Klenčí p. Čerchovem
345 34 Klenčí p. Č. 118
tel.: +420 379 795 325
www.sumava.net/icklenci
Infocentrum Konstantinovy Lázně
Lázeňská 164, 349 52 Konstantinovy Lázně
tel.: +420 353 229 611, +420 737 700 354
www.infokl.cz
Informační centrum Kralovice
nám. Osvobození 35, 331 41 Kralovice
tel.: +420 373 313 346
www.fburda.cz
Městské informační středisko Rokycany
Masarykovo nám. 1, 337 01 Rokycany
tel.: +420 371 706 175
www.rokycany.cz
Informační středisko Správy NP
a CHKO Šumava
IS Rokyta, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 599 009
www.npsumava.cz
Informační centrum
Nám. Svobody 138, 335 61 Spálené Poříčí
tel.: +420 605 368 410
www.spaleneporici.cz
Infocentrum Srní
Srní 113, 341 92 Srní
tel.: +420 376 599 209
www.sumava.net/icsrni
Turistické informační centrum Stachy
Stachy 422, 384 73 Stachy
tel.: +420 380 120 270
www.sumava.net/icstachy
Informační centrum Manětín
331 62 Manětín 88
tel.: +420 373 392 217
www.manetin.cz
K – centrum
Smetanova 932, 332 02 Starý Plzenec
tel.: +420 377 183 662,
+420 377 183 659
www.staryplzenec.cz
Informační centrum Modrava
Modrava 63, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 599 051
www.sumavanet.cz/icmodrava
Městské informační centrum Stod
nám. ČSA 294, 333 01 Stod
tel.: +420 379 209 481
www.mks.mestostod.cz
Informační středisko a středisko
ekologické výchovy Správy NP a CHKO Šumava
Rokyta 83, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 582 734
www.npsumava.cz
Místní knihovna a informační stredisko
Strážov 280, 340 21 Janovice nad Úhlavou
tel.: +420 376 382 338
www.sumavanet.cz/icstrazov
Infocentrum Nepomuk
Nám. A. Němejce 126, 335 01 Nepomuk
tel.: +420 371 591 167
www.nepomucko.cz
Informační centrum města Nýrska
Komenského 877, 340 22 Nýrsko
tel.: +420 376 571 616
www.sumava.net/icnyrsko
Informační středisko města Plánice
nám. ing. Křižíka 180, 340 34 Plánice
tel.: +420 376 394 103
www.sumava.net/isplanice
Informační centrum Mikroregionu Dolní Střela
Plzeňská 285, 331 01 Plasy
tel.: +420 373 322 493
www.plasy,cz
Informační centrum
Masarykovo nám. 21, 349 01 Stříbro
tel.: 420 374 622 247
www.muzeumstribro.cz
Městské informační centrum Sušice
nám. Svobody 138, 342 01 Sušice
tel.: 420 376 540 214
www.sumava.net/icsusice
Informační centrum města Švihov
nám. Dr. E. Beneše 38, 340 12 Švihov
tel.: +420 376 393 244
www.svihov.cz
Regionální informační centrum
nám. Republiky 119, 347 01 Tachov
tel.: 420 374 723 740
www.tachov-mesto.cz/turinf
Městské kulturní a informační středisko
Nám. Míru 210, 345 22 Poběžovice
tel.: +420 379 497 889
www.pobezovice.cz
Informační středisko obce Vrhaveč
OÚ Vrhaveč, Malá Víska 23, 339 01 Klatovy
tel.: +420 376 311 524
www.sumavanet.cz/icvrhavec
Informační středisko Prášily
Prášily 110, 342 01 Sušice
tel.: +420 376 589 014
[email protected]
Informační centrum Mikroregionu Zbirožsko
Masarykovo nám. 624, 338 08 Zbiroh
tel.: +420 371 784 621
www.zbiroh.cz
Městské kulturní a informační středisko
Náměstí 1, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 503 411
www.sumavanet.cz/khory
Informační centrum města Přeštic
a Mikroregionu Přešticko
Masarykovo nám. 311, 334 01 Přeštice
tel.: +420 377 982 637
[email protected]
Informační turistické centrum
města Železná Ruda
Javorská 154, 340 04 Železná Ruda
tel.: +420 376 397 033
www.sumava.net/itcruda
Informační středisko
a středisko ekologické výchovy NP Šumava
Sušická 399, 341 92 Kašperské Hory
tel.: +420 376 582 734
www.npsumava.cz
Informační centrum Mikroregionu Radnicko,
nám. K. Šternberka 69, 338 28 Radnice
tel.: +420 371 795 311
www.radnicko.cz
Česko-bavorské informační centrum NP
Alžbětín 54, 340 04 Železná Ruda
tel.: +420 376 387 060
www.npsumava.cz
Informační centrum Na Rybárně
Rakolusky 20, 331 41 Bohy
tel.: +420 721 509 380
www.skplzen.info
Informační centrum Žinkovy
Žinkovy 84, 335 01 Nepomuk
tel.: +420 371 593 205
www.zinkovy.cz
Informační centrum Chanovice – zámecký areál
Chanovice 36, 341 01 Horažďovice
tel.: +420 376 514 164
www.chanovice.cz
Informační centrum Kasejovice
335 44 Kasejovice 98
tel.: +420 371 595 140
www.kasejovice.cz
Informační centrum města Kdyně
Nádražní 314, 345 06 Kdyně
tel.: +420 379 734 385
http://www.kdyne.cz
Published by the Plzeň region using a grant by the Ministry of Regional Development within the national programme for promotion of tourism. Layout: nakladatelství KLETR Plzeň.
Photographs: Alexandr Vacek, Jan Kavale, the Alfa Theatre archives, Vratislav Benc, Jiří Berger, Josef Cais, Léčebné Lázně Konstantinovy Lázně, Stock Plzeň a. s., Bohemia sekt,
Českomoravská vinařská akciová společnost, Město Rokycany, Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s., Václav Podestát, Zdeněk Procházka, Ladislav Řežáb. Texts: Luděk Krčmář and Jiří Zahradnický.
Printed by Typos, tiskařské závody, s. r. o. Plzeň, 2009
www.turisturaj.cz, www.touristparadise.com
www.plzensky-kraj.cz