Plzeň

Pilsen, the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic with 168,000 inhabitants, is located in western Bohemia. It is best known for the Pilsner beer. Pilsen is located in western Bohemia at the confluence of the Mže and Radbuza, creating the Berounka River, a non-navigable tributary of the Vltava.

The city was founded around 1295 by order of the Bohemian King Wenceslaus II. Its rectangular marketplace is 193m by 139m and quite generous for foundations from that time. Due to its location on several trade routes, it quickly developed into a trading center. Around 1420 Pilsen was a center of the Hussites, but during the Hussite wars the city professed Catholicism. During these wars it was repeatedly besieged by Jan Žižka and Prokop Veliký. During one such military conflict, the people of Pilsen captured a camel that has been on the city's coat of arms since around 1460.

During the plague epidemic of 1599/1600, Emperor Rudolf II moved to Pilsen, making the city the center of the Habsburg Empire for a short time. During the Thirty Years' War, Pilsen was besieged and stormed by Mansfeld in 1618; In 1633-34 it was Wallenstein's headquarters ("Pilsener Revers").

In the period that followed, the first task was to repair the damage caused by the war. The buildings around the market square got their facades in the style of the Renaissance and later the Baroque.

Pilsen gained economic importance in the 19th century. That was on the one hand in 1842, when the contents of the first brew kettle were delivered with Pilsner Urquell, and on the other hand in 1869, when the Škoda works were founded in Pilsen. As a result, Pilsen grew to become the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic. Both companies still exist, Škoda mainly produces machines and rail vehicles in Pilsen.

Military goods were also produced at Škoda during World War II, so the city was repeatedly the target of Allied air raids. On May 6, 1945, Pilsen was conquered by the troops of the American General Patton. Shortly thereafter, Czechoslovakia and with it the city of Pilsen belonged to the sphere of influence of the Warsaw Pact for several decades.

 

How to orient yourself

Neighborhoods

The current urban area of the city of Plzeň consists of ten districts with thirty-one districts. The largest of which are districts № 1, 2, 3, and 4. Some of these neighborhoods or suburbs are what in Czech are called "katastrálních území" (literally "cadastral areas") and correspond to suburbs of the city, a once real independent towns and today incorporated into the urban fabric of Plzeň. Today's subdivision dates back to 1981, a period in which the city experienced a strong demographic increase.

Plzeň 1: includes the suburb of Bolevec, Bíla Hora and Košutka and part of the center of Plzeň. Sometimes they also refer to it as "Northern Suburb".
Plzeň 2 — Slovany: includes the suburbs of Božkov, Doudlevce, Hradiště, Koterov and Lobzy. It is bordered on the north by the Central Station and on the east by the Úhlava and Radbuza rivers.
Plzeň 3: includes the suburbs of Bory, Doudlevce, Skvrňany, Nová Hospoda, Zátiší, Valcha and Radobyčice and part of the city center of Plzeň. It is the largest district and occupies a large part of the center and western part of the city.
Plzeň 4 — Doubravka: named after the most important of the suburbs annexed to Plzeň, it is located north-east of the center and includes the suburbs of Bukovec, Červený Hrádek u Plzně, Doubravka, Lobzy. It is the district in which the construction and industrial development of the city is most visible.
Plzeň 5 — Křimice: includes the entire suburb of Křimice and part of Radčice u Plzěn. This district is crossed by the river Mže and is of particular importance so much that it has remained administratively autonomous with a district council enjoying broad powers. It is located north-east of the center.
Plzeň 6 — Litice: includes the suburb of Litice and is located south of the city. This district is the oldest in the city, being first mentioned in 12th century sources. The České údolí ("Czech valley") is also located here.
Plzeň 7 — Radčice: includes part of the suburb of Radčice u Plzně and part of Křimice. The district lies on the left bank of the Mže and is important for its natural beauties and for the presence of a Romantic era palace dating from the 19th-20th centuries.
Plzeň 8 — Černice: includes the suburb of Černice and marks the southeastern limit of the city. The district originated in the 15th century and retains the ruins of Radyně Castle.
Plzeň 9 — Malesice: includes the suburb of Malesice and Dolní Vlkýš and dates back to the 12th-13th century. Inside are the ruins of the Kyjov castle. This district, the north-west limit of the city, has for centuries been linked to the nobility of western Bohemia of which it was a possession.
Plzeň 10 — Lhota: marks the southwest boundary of the city and includes the suburb of Lhota u Dobřan. As a district it was annexed to Plzeň in 2003.

 

Getting here

By plane

Plzeň does not have a public commercial airport. The nearest airport is in Prague Ruzyně.

From Václav Havel Airport (PRG) in Prague Ruzyně you take the bus to the central railway station Praha hlavní nadrazí, from where you connect to trains towards Plzeň.
From Franz Josef Strauſʒ Airport (MUC) in Munich, to avoid having to enter the city center with an S-Bahn train that takes you to the central railway station München Hauptbahnhof, you can take a bus of the MVV line № 635, which leaves from Munich Aiport Center (MAC) at level 03, up to the nearby Freising railway station, where it connects to trains heading towards Prague passing via Plzeň.

 

By car

Plzeň is an important road junction and is connected to the following routes:

National motorway sections:
D5 (national part of E50) Prague ↔ Plzeň-Litice (intersection with E53 and road 27) ↔ Plzeň-Cernice (intersection with E49 and road 20) ↔ Rozvadov/Waidhaus with connection to German A6 and a ring road around to the city of Plzeň.

European motorway sections:
E49 (Magdeburg) ↔ Plauen ↔ Eger ↔ Carlsbad ↔ Plzeň ↔ Budweis ↔ (Vienna).
E50 (France) ↔ Nuremberg ↔ Plzeň-Litice (intersection with E53 and road 27) ↔ Plzeň-Cernice (intersection with E49 and road 20) ↔ Prague ↔ Brno ↔ (Slovakia)
E53 Plzeň-Litice (intersection with E53 and road 27) ↔ Deggendorf ↔ (Munich).
Arriving in Plzeň, the city center is found at Plzeň 3 and not at Plzeň 1, as one might mistakenly think.

 

On the train

Plzeň is one of the most important railway junctions in the country, where five main railway lines cross.

Railway lines (Czech: Železniční trať) in the municipality:
Section CD № 160 from the north: Žatec ↔ Plzeň
Route CD № 170 east-west connection: (Nuremberg ↔) Eger ↔ Marienbad ↔ Pilsen ↔ Rokycany ↔ Prague. Plzeň is easily reached by a direct train from Prague's main station (Praha Hlavní Nádraží), which runs daytime every hour (departing 14 minutes past the hour). Without delays the journey is about 1 hour and 35 minutes long to reach Plzeň main station (Hlavní Nádraží) on a comfortable express train.
Route CD № 180 from the southwest: (Munich ↔ Regensburg ↔) Fürth im Wald - Domažlice ↔ Plzeň.
Route CD № 183 from the south: Bayerisch Eisenstein/Železná Ruda ↔ Klatovy ↔ Plzeň.
Route CD № 190 from the southeast: (Linz ↔) České Budějovice ↔ Plzeň.

 

By bus

Buses leave Prague regularly in the direction of Plzeň from either the Florenc bus station or the Zličín bus station (terminus of Prague's metro line B). The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Florenc and from Zličín only one hour. From Munich and Regensburg there are daily couriers of the Flixbus company.

From Plzeň Central Bus Station (Plzeň - Centrální Autobusové nádraží) the city center can be reached by trolleybus or on foot.
Central Bus Station (Centrální Autobusové Nádraží — CAN), Husova 2713/60 (CAN Husova stop: bus lines № 28, 41 and trolleybus lines № 11, 18. CAN Skvrňanská stop: tram line № 2. CAN Tylova stop: trolleybus lines № 11, 12, 18), ☎ +420 377 224 151.

 

Local transport

By public transport

Urban and suburban public transport is provided by the railway and the Pilsen Integrated Transport Association ((CS) Integrovaná doprava Plzeňská) with trams, trolleybuses and buses. Intercity public transport (Meziměstskou veřejná doprava) runs through the entire city and has two main stations that serve as its terminus: the railway station in the east and the bus station (CAN — Centrálním Autobusovém nádraží) in the west of the city.

 

Railway network

Railway stations and stops in the municipality of Plzeň:
Plzeň Central Station (Plzeň hlavní nádraží) (the city center can be reached by trolleybus, tram or on foot). Connected railway lines: CD 160, CD 170, CD 180, CD 183,CD 190. Pilsen Central Railway Station (Železniční stanice) (formerly also called Plzeň Gottwaldovo station) is housed in a historic building which in the Second World War II was almost completely destroyed by US bombing, later rebuilt in the same style. Don't miss the particularly beautiful facade of the station; in the vestibule, moreover, there is a statue of the founding railwaymen. The building is surrounded by two railway platforms which are located on both sides of the building. When catching a train make sure you wait on the right section of the platform so you don't have to rush or miss it. Don't forget that the Czech republic is famous and proud of its railway system and one of the most beautiful Czech novels of the twentieth century, from which a wonderful film has been made, also translated into Italian, is Hrabal's "Closely Guarded Trains". In front of the railway station there is a money exchange on the left and a tourist office on the right.
Plzeň-Bílá Hora (Plzeň White Mountain), ulice Na Roudné, Bílá Hora. Connected railway lines: CD 160.
Plzeň-Bolevec, ulice Plaská, Bolevec. Connected railway lines: CD 160.
Plzeň-Doubravka, Zábělská 82/6, Doubravka. Connected railway lines: CD 170.
Plzeň-Doudlevce, Vinohradská 57/21, Doudlevce. Connected railway lines: CD 183.
Plzeň-Jižní předměstí (Plzeň-South Suburbs), Přeštická 1761/4, Jižní Předměstí. Connected railway lines: CD 170, CD 180.
Plzeň-Koterov, Velenická 73/73, Božkov. Connected railway lines: CD 190.
Plzeň-Křimice, Traťová 111/5, Křimice. Connected railway lines: CD 170.
Plzeň-Orlík (Stop Plzeň-Orlík), čtvrť Plzeň 1. Connected train sections: CD 160.
Plzeň-Skvrňany, ulice Emingerova, čtvrť Plzeň 3. Connected railway sections: CD 180.
Plzeň-Zadní Skvrňany (ex zastávka Třemošná u Plzně), ulice Lábkova, čtvrť Plzeň 5-Křimice. Connected railway lines: CD 170.
Plzeň-Valcha, Dobřanská 3/90, Valcha. Connected railway lines: CD 183.
Plzeň zastávka (Plzeň Stop), Přeštická 1761/4, Jižní Předměstí. Connected railway lines: CD 183

 

Bus and trolleybus network

The bus network consists of 25 lines, and the trolleybus network, operating since 1941, consists of 9 lines (№ 10 - 18). The night service is provided with three bus lines (№ N1, N2, N3). The entire city bus service is operated by the Pilsen City Transport Company (PMDP) including tram and trolleybus services.

Pilsen City Transport Company (PMDP) (Plzeňské městské dopravní podniky), Denisovo nábřeží 920/12, Východní Předměstí, ☎ +420 378 037 485 (information), +420 378 031 120 (administrative offices), fax: +42 0 377 320 493, pmdp@pmdp.cz. Tickets (non-transferable): 18.- CZK from tobacconists or with increased price 30.- CZK directly on board. telephone information: Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00.

 

Tramway network

The tram network consists of three lines, over a length of 20.3 km, with a total of 49 stops. In 1899 the first electric tram line was put into operation in Plzeň (now line 4).

Tram line № 1 (Bolevec ↔ city center ↔ Slovany):
Bolevec ↔ Okounová ↔ Bolevecká náves ↔ Majakovského ↔ Mozartova ↔ U Gery ↔ Lékařská fakulta ↔ Pod Záhorskem ↔ Sady Pětatřicátníků ↔ Náměstí Republiky ↔ Anglické nábřeží ↔ Hlavní nádraží ČD ↔ Mikulášské náměstí ↔ Jedlová ↔ Liliová ↔ Olšová ↔ Vřesová ↔ Slovany

Tram line № 2 (Skvrňany ↔ city center ↔ Světovar):
Skvrňany, sídliště ↔ Terezy Brzkové ↔ Macháčkova ↔ Karla Steinera ↔ Internáty ↔ Slovanské údolí ↔ Malesická ↔ Křimická ↔ III.br., Vejprnická ↔ CAN, Skvrňanská ↔ Výstavišt ě ↔ Sady Pětatřicátníků ↔ Náměstí Republiky ↔ Anglické nábřeží ↔ Hlavní nádraží ČD ↔ Mikulášské náměstí ↔ U Duhy ↔ Habrmannova ↔ Náměstí Generála Píky ↔ Radnice Slovany ↔ Brojova ↔ Světovar

Tram line № 4 (Košutka ↔ city center ↔ Bory):
Košutka ↔ Plzeňka ↔ Severka ↔ Sokolovská ↔ U Družby ↔ Zoologická zahrada ↔ Lékařská fakulta ↔ Pod Záhorskem ↔ Sady Pětatřicátníků ↔ U Práce ↔ Masarykovo náměstí ↔ Chodské náměstí ↔ Dobrovského ↔ Náměstí Míru ↔ Dvořákova ↔ Bory

 

By taxi

In the city there are some taxi companies thanks to which you can travel around the city. A little help for reading their price lists can be found in our Czech phrasebook.

Autoslužba taxi, Office (kancelář): Sady Pětatřicátníků 48/33, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 377 220 220, +420 724 222 266 (mobile), +420 722 222 266 (mobile), taxi@autosluzba-taxi .cz. Starting rate 25,- Kč. Rate per km 24,- Kč,. Wait for min. 4,- Kč. Rate per km from 50 km 8,- Kč (if with return 16,- CZK). Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1500,- CZK + possible airport parking fee.
City-Line taxi, Office (kancelář): Anglické nábřeží 2434/1, Východní Předměstí, ☎ +420 733 222 317 (mobile), objednavky@city-line.cz. Starting rate 25,- Kč. Rate per km 19,- Kč. Wait for min. 4,- Kč. Rate per km from 50 km 14,- CZK. Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1490,- CZK. Maestro, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron cards are accepted.
ecoCITY taxi, Domažlická 1010/178, Skvrňany, ☎ +420 777 361 361 (mobile), info@ecocitytaxi.cz. Starting rate 23,- CZK. Short journey fare up to 4 km 109,- CZK. Rate per km 21,- CZK. Wait for min. 3,- CZK. Rate per km from 50 km 14,- CZK). Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1149,- CZK. Special price for seniors and children. ecoCITY Taxi is a taxi service company, with Škoda Citigo and Škoda Octavia cars, which use more ecological fuels such as methane gas (CNG) instead of petroleum derivatives.
Elektra taxi, Office (kancelář): Nádražní 178/18, Východní Předměstí, ☎ +42 377 327 377, +42 723 967 967 (mobile), +42 608 142 000 (mobile), +42 775 558 080 (mobile), taxielektra@atlas.cz. Starting rate 35,- CZK. Rate per km 23,- CZK. Wait for min. 4,- CZK. Rate per km from 50 km 16,- CZK (if with return 14,- CZK). Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1500,- CZK.
Odas taxi, Office (kancelář): Božkovská 1715/58, Východní Předměstí, ☎ +420 377 444 444. Departure rate 35,- CZK. Rate per km 23,- CZK. Wait for min. 4,- CZK. Rate per km from 50 km 16,- CZK (if with return 14,- CZK). Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1525,- CZK.
Plzeňske taxi, Office (kancelář): Náměstí Republiky 98/10, Vnitřní Město, ☎ +420 608 224 780 (mobile), info@plzensketaxi.cz. Starting rate 40,- CZK. Normal rate per km 28,- CZK. Wait for min. 6,- CZK. Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1500,- CZK. Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa cards are accepted.
Radio Taxi Plzeň, Office (kancelář): Palackého náměstí 31/2, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 377 377 377, +420 608 227 700 (mobile), +420 724 223 322 (mobile), am.cz@volny.cz . Starting rate 35,- CZK. Normal rate per km 28,- CZK. Telephone rate per km 23.- CZK. Wait for min. 4,- CZK. Rate per km from 50 km 11.50 CZK (if with return 8,- CZK). Transfers to Prague airport (letiště) 1525,- CZK.

 

By car

Parking lots
North of the historic center of Plzeň, on Truhlářská street, there is the Parkovací dům Rychtářka multi-storey car park with a capacity of 447 parking spaces. Guarded by security and monitored 24 hours a day it is currently the safest form of paid parking in Pilsen which is available 24 hours a day. In addition to continuous monitoring by security personnel, the car park also has a customer center and restrooms. Thanks to a pedestrian bridge crossing the Tyršova street, you can easily access the historic city center on foot. Football fans appreciate its proximity to the football stadium, not far from the Štruncovy park.

 

Sights

The historic center will take you back to the city's glorious past, since little has changed in style, buildings and spaces since the city's founding period. The market square in the historic center, today called Namesti Republiky (Republic Square), is the main meeting place of the inhabitants and the venue for major events.

The city wall that surrounded the old town was demolished in the 19th century and replaced by green areas that still surround three quarters of the historic centre.

 

Breweries

Brewing was revolutionized in the mid-19th century, with a new brewing process created in Pilsen; today called the Pilsner method or abbreviated Pils. Beer production here dates back to the 12th century, but historical events that took place in 1838-1839 led to the birth of the first city brewery controlled by the authorities and entrusted to the producer Joseph Groll, who invented cooked beer, a beer now known as Pils ; the bitter drink of a golden color, with a foam as white as snow.

Today, small breweries are lively and dynamic places that connect the traditional brewing process with the pleasure of tasting. Not infrequently they organize thematic tours with a lot of tasting included. If you are a beer lover, you cannot forget to visit the large breweries, such as those of the Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s. with the Gambrinus brewery and the better known Pilsner Urquell brewery; here, by booking a guided tour, it is possible to see the entire production process and learn a little about its history. Guided tours in the Gambrinus brewery are only in the Czech language.

Let yourself at the end a real gem of brewing; visiting the historic cellars of the breweries, you can taste freshly made, unpasteurized beers directly from the barrel. Inside the brewery in the famous Spilka restaurant you can also enjoy a lunch.

In addition to the factories of the big breweries, you can also visit some small local breweries.

1 Lochoty Knight Brewery (Mini-pivovar U rytíře Lochoty), Karlovarská 420/103, Lochoty (Sokolovská stop: bus lines № 33, N3, N6), ☎ +420 602 270 505 (mobile), alloza@seznam.cz. Mon-Thu 10:30–23:00, Fri–Sat 10:30–24:00, Sun 10:30–22:00. Small brewery with a restaurant with a terrace at the rear, since 2001 has been producing finely filtered and pasteurized beers, Pilsner and semi-dark beers. In the spirit of knightly traditions the restaurant offers outdoor seating with a view of the statue of the Lochota knight. There is also a modern squash center nearby.
2 Groll Plzeň Brewery (Pivovar Groll Plzeň), Truhlářská 2397/10, Východní Předměstí (Na Rychtářce stop: bus line № 28), ☎ +420 602 596 161 (mobile), restaurace@pivovargroll.cz. Mon-Sun 11am–11pm. Small brewery with a restaurant, a guesthouse and a garden with a playground for the little ones, just a few minutes' walk from the city centre, is located in a historic building in which Pils was invented in 1839, when Baron Lautensack Heinrich was in Plzeň. The recipe was later copied by the colossus Pilsner Urquell, who is celebrated today as the inventor of this type of beer. Brewmaster Joseph Groll, born in 1813 in Vilshofen in Bavaria and himself the son of a brewer, earned his living as a wandering brewer. Disinherited and repeatedly expelled from the city of Pilsen by his father, he returned there called by other brewers, who praised his skills. Today's building consists of a Baroque reconstruction of several original houses called rychtarka. The small brewery offers semi-dark unfiltered and unpasteurized beer that has gone through about thirteen stages of brewing and is called Lotr. The restaurant offers exquisite dishes prepared in the solid fuel kitchen (coal, wood) and the boilers of the brewery are incorporated into the tiled stove inside the restaurant giving it a special atmosphere.
3 Al Mattone Plzeň Brewery (Pivovar U Pašáka Plzeň), Poděbradova 415/12, Vnitřní Město (Tylova stop: trolleybus lines № 11, 18), ☎ +420 377 946 012, pivopasak@seznam.cz. Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm. Small brewery with a restaurant where food and semi-dark beer are prepared with exclusively natural ingredients.

Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s. Group, U Prazdroje 64/7, Východní Předměstí, ☎ +420 377 061 111, info@prazdroj.cz. Prazdroj is called the site of the great brewery near the historic center of Plzeň. It was founded in 1839 as the city's central brewery to ensure high-quality beer after the beer revolt of 1839. Since 1842 it has been the headquarters of Pilsner Urquell and since 1869 also of Gambrinus. Today the company is the brand owner and producer, in various places in the Czech Republic, of Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Radegast, Velkopopovický Kozel, Maestro, Phoenix and Primus beers. They also produce Radegast Birell non-alcoholic beer, and Frisco carbonated alcoholic drink.
4 Gambrinus Plzeň Brewery (Pivovar Gambrinus Plzeň. Company: Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s.), U Prazdroje 64/7, Vnitřní Město (Prazdroj stop: trolleybus line № 13). Guided tours: only on Saturdays. Great brewery founded in 1869. Most popular brand of beer in the County. The Gambrinus Plzeň brewery offers a unique experience to visitors; the only sore point is that the guided tour of the brewery is only in the Czech language.
5 Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Pivovar Urquell Plzeň. Company: Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s.), U Prazdroje 7, Vnitřní Město (Prazdroj stop: trolleybus line № 13), ☎ +420 377 062 888. Guided tours: 4th-9th months Mon-Sun 08:00-18:00, and in the X-III months Mon-Sun 08:00-17:00. World famous large brewery, founded in 1842, with the museum and the Spilce restaurant, is the original production site of Pilsner beer. There is also a souvenir shop next to the brewery.
6 Purkmistr Plzeň Brewery (Pivovar Purkmistr Plzeň), Selská náves 21/2, Černice (stop U Staré Kovárny: trolleybus line № 13 or bus lines № 32, N2, N5), ☎ +420 377 994 311, fax: +420 377 994 377, recepce@purkmistr.cz. Small brewery with restaurant, a bowling alley and a connected hotel. It cannot be said that they lack originality; here, in fact, it is possible to take a beer bath/sauna. They also serve specialty beers like radish beer and cannabis beer.

 

Civil construction

7 Plzeň Historical Underground (Plzeňské historické podzemí), Veleslavínova 58/6, Vnitřní Město (Na Rychtářce stop: bus line № 28. Or Náměstí Republiky stop: tram line № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 377 235 574, podzemi @plzenskepodzemi.cz. Adults: 100,- CZK. Children from 6 years, Students, Pensioners over 70 years: 70,- CZK. Guided tours: in months II-III daily 10:00-17:00, and in months IV-XII daily 10:00-18:00. Medieval underground passage that runs under a part of the city. The guide speaks very good English and German but not Italian. The dungeon, which was begun during the 13th century and finished during the 19th century, is an integral part of a historical structural development of Plzen, which began with its foundation in 1295. Consisting of two or three cellars used in the past to store foodstuffs. Later they were also used for technical purposes such as, for example, hydraulic conduits.

 

Streets and squares

8 Republic Square (Namesti Republiky) (Náměstí Republiky stop: bus lines № 20, 33, N1, N4 and tram lines № 1, 2, 4). The square is surrounded on either side by historic buildings, its beautiful Renaissance Town Hall, and at its center the Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, with the tallest spire in the nation.
9 Prague Bridge (Pražský most), Pražská ulice, Vnitřní Město. Beautiful stone bridge, located between the city center (Vnitřním Město) and the eastern suburb (Východním Předměstí), with a Pietà sculpture in the middle of the bridge.
10 Wilson Bridge (Wilsonův most, former (DE) Kaiser Franz-Josef Brücke (CS) císaře Františka Josefa I. most), between Anglické nábřeží and Denisovo nábřeží, Jižní Předměstí (Stop Muzeum: trolleybus line № 13 and bus lines № 33, 40). Built in 1913 and partially destroyed in WWII it was rebuilt and restored between 2012 and 2013 to its original state and splendour.

 

Gardens and parks

11 Plzeň Zoological and Botanical Garden (Zoologická a botanická zahrada města Plzně), Pod Vinicemi 928/9, Plzeň, Severní Předměstí (stop Zoologická zahrada: tram line № 4), ☎ +420 378 038 325, zoo@plzen.eu. Mon-Sun 08:00–18:00. Beautiful zoo, it is the second oldest zoo in the Czech Republic, having been founded in 1926. On an area of 21 hectares it houses more than 1,200 species of animals. The area includes a botanical garden, founded in 1961, with a total greenhouse area of 750 meters, with 12,000 plant species, and a section dedicated to dinosaurs called Dino Park Plzeň which is great fun especially for children. A visit to the second largest bear park in Europe is also not to be missed. The Akva-Tera exhibition in the Plzeň Zoological Garden allows visitors to peek into the heart of the forest, desert and coral-filled seas. Every day you can participate in guided demonstrations and feed the animals. The exhibition is divided into several thematic units - you will find the South American forest, the desert of the driest areas of Madagascar, freshwater aquariums and examples of coral reefs. Every day, so visitors will be able to see animals up close while feeding or learn something about some species of animals, among which there will be snakes, tarantulas and piranhas.
12 Dino Park Plzeň, Nad ZOO 1, Plzeň, Severní Předměstí (Zoologická zahrada stop: tram line № 4), ☏ +420 378 774 636, plzen@dinopark.cz. Adults: 90,- CZK, Children 3 - 15 years: 60,- CZK. Mon-Sun 08:00–18:00. An amusement park with life-size reconstructions of prehistoric animals. There are really impressive models and reproductions, complete with sound effects and movement capabilities. Visiting the park you can see, in the Dino Aquario, a quality 3D documentary, with reconstructions of what happened under the surface of the Mesozoic seas.

 

Military construction

Memorials
13 Memoriale ai soldati dell'armata americana (Monument to the soldiers of the American army), (Fermata U Práce: filobus linee № 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and autobus linee № 27, 35, 57, N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7 and tram line № 4). free. 24/24. Inscription: THANK YOU AMERICA! ON MAY 6TH 1945 THE CITY OF PLZEŇ WAS LIBERATED BY THE U.S. ARMY.
THANKS AMERICA! ON MAY 6, 1945 THE CITY OF PLZEN WAS LIBERATED BY THE AMERICAN ARMY
6. V. 1945 THE MEN OF THE SIXTEENTH ARMORED DIVISION WE'LL NEVER FORGET. WE WILL NEVER FORGET 6 V. 1990.

 

Religious building

14 St. Bartholomew's Cathedral (katedrála svatého Bartoloměje), Namesti Republiky (stop Náměstí Republiky: bus lines № 20, 33, N1, N4 and tram lines № 1, 2, 4). Visit to the platform Adults 50,- CZK and children ((CS) deti) half.. 10:00-18:00 (last ascent at 17:20). Built in the Gothic style, its construction began at the end of the 13th century. Its bell tower with a height of 102.26 m is the tallest spire in the Czech Republic. Its viewing platform at a height of 62 meters can be reached via 301 steps.
15 Great Synagogue (Velká synagoga), sady Pětatřicátniků (stop U Synagogy and Sady Pětatřicátníků: tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☏ +420 377 235 749. April-October Sun-Fri 10am-6pm: 00, in the months from September to March by appointment only. The Great Synagogue, built 1888-1893 in the Moorish-Romanesque style, is the second largest synagogue in Europe and the third largest in the world (after those in Jerusalem and Budapest). Inside, exhibitions and concerts are also organised.

 

Museums

16 Ethnographic Museum (Muzeum Národopisné), Náměstí Republiky 106/13, Vnitřní Město (stop Náměstí Republiky: bus lines № 20, 33, N1, N4 and tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 378 370 200, narodopis @zcm.cz. Tue-Sun 10am–6pm. The museum tells the story of the ancient people who inhabited Plzeň and the surrounding area. In the main hall, there are ethnographic, historical and natural exhibits, as well as various travelogue exhibits.
17 West Bohemian Museum (Západočeské Muzeum), Kopeckého sady 357/2, Vnitřní Město (Muzeum stop: trolleybus line № 13), ☎ +420 378 370 111, fax: +420 378 370 150, info@zcm.cz. The Museum was founded in 1878. The range of historical, artistic and ethnographic exhibits and scientific collections are among the largest in the Czech Republic. The museum building consists of three floors and three wings, and is located on the south- east of the Franciscan convent, designed at the end of the 19th century. Since the early 1990s, the museum has also offered scholarships and has been involved in research in the historical field in collaboration with the local university;
18 Puppet Museum (Muzeum loutek), náměstí Republiky 137/23, Vnitřní Město (stop Náměstí Republiky: bus lines № 20, 33, N1, N4 and tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 378 370 801, muzeumloutek@zcm.cz. Adults 60,- CZK, children 30,- CZK, families 150,- CZK. Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Did you know that Plzeň is the birthplace of the famous puppets Spejbl and Hurvinek? At the Museum, in a historic house on the Republic Square, which opened in mid-September 2009, you can go and see these world-famous puppets from Plzeň. This is not a classic exhibition to visit, but you can try yourself to play as puppeteers. This is just one example of the "interactive culture" that the city is aiming for within the projects related to the title of European Capital of Culture 2015.
19 Museum of Ghosts (Muzeum Strašidel), Náměstí Republiky 33 (entrance from the Central hotel. Bus stop Náměstí Republiky: bus lines № 20, 33, N1, N4 and tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 377 223 473, plzen@muzeumstrasidel.cz. Adults 80,- CZK, children and pensioners 50,- CZK. Mon-Sun 10am–6pm. More than a museum, it is a unique exhibition of ghosts, puppets, tales, fairy tales, and ancient stories of magic, now forgotten. Suitable for children and perhaps also for adults who have not forgotten the poetry of things, the museum is a good place to visit for school trips, birthday parties and similar events.
20 Museum of Transport Technology (Muzea Dopravní Techniky), V Malé Doubravce 1242/27, Doubravka (Opavská stop: trolleybus lines № 16, 17 and bus lines № 29, 30, N3, N6), ☎ +420 377 262 911, muzeum@csadplzen.cz. by appointment only (at least 24 hours in advance); Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00. The museum has interesting historical material on the use of buses in southwestern Bohemia (photos, films, maps, timetables, uniforms, various equipment).
21 American Army Memorial Museum (Památník americké armády muzeum), Kulturní dům Peklo, Pobřežní 2220/10 (stop Hlavní pošta: tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 378 037 954 (ticket office), +420 378 037 956 (offices), info@patton-memorial.cz. 60,- CZK. Tue-Sun 09:00-13:00/14:00-17:00. The museum tries to tell the story of the bombing and the US presence in Plzeň during the Second World War. Opened in 2005, it is the largest Czech museum on this subject.

 

Events and parties

There are several events throughout the year; some of them are:
Bavarian Culture Days (Flowers for Plzeň, in Czech: květin pro Plzni), Náměstí Republiky. 20th to 26th April 2015. As part of the Bavarian Week there will be several colorful cultural festivals which will culminate on 26th April in the final celebration with the action Flowers for Plzeň, in which thousands of flowers from Bavaria will be donated to Plzeň as a token of 'friendship.
Final film festival. April 26 to May 2, 2015. Czechoslovakian films and documentaries are presented.
Liberation Day. 1 to 6 May 2015. The holiday commemorates the liberation of Plzeň from Nazi Germany by George Patton's Third Army in 1945; for the occasion, the city is filled with music and cultural events.
Appetit Festival, in Plzeň Plaza Shopping Center, petr@apetitfestival.cz. 50,- CZK per day. 17th to 18th May 2015. The largest gastronomic festival in Western Bohemia.
CIOFF International Folklore Festival (Mezinárodní folklorní festival CIOFF), Scéna "U Branky", Smetanovy sady, ☎ +420 723 979 527 (mobile), info@mffplzen.eu. 3rd to 7th June 2015. Multi-venue festival with Czech and international folk ensembles from all over the world. The main stage "U Branky" is set up in the Smetanovy sady.
Rock for People EUROPE 2015, Motokáry Papírna, Zahradní 173/2, Východní Předměstí (Stop Mikulášské náměstí: tram lines № 1, 2, 4 and bus line № N2), help@ticketsforpeople.cz. Fri 03 July 2015 to Sun 05 July 2015. Urban version of the Rock for People festival in Hradec Králové. It is part of the Pilsen 2015 - European Capital of Culture project.
Puppet Rock Festival. The last weekend of July. It is held in front of Plzeň Square.
Lively Street Festival (Festival Živá ulice), Náměstí Republiky, ☎ +420 222 352 091, info@zivaulice.eu. from 10 to 23 August 2015. Street entertainment, theatrical performances and musical events are held, with small stages around the city center and a large stage in Piazza della Repubblica.
Pilsner Fest (area map). September. The largest and most famous beer festival in the Czech Republic, which roughly coincides with the founding anniversary of the Urquell brewery (it can happen, however, that it is celebrated earlier, as happened in 2010, when it was held on 27 and 28 August).
Metalfest, Pod Vinicemi 828/9, Severní Předměstí (Amfiteátr stop: bus line № 41. Area map), ☏ +420 577 432 580, +420 224 235 267 (Pragokoncert Bohemia a.s. ticket office), +420 577 432 420 ( Pragokoncert Bohemia a.s. office), fax: +420 577 432 420, pragokoncert@pragokoncert.com. from 5 to 7 June 2015. The Metalfest is a Central European festival of Heavy metal music, held in the amphitheater of the city.

 

What to do

1 House of Culture (Měšťanská Beseda), Kopeckého sady 59/13, Jižní Předměstí (Stop Mrakodrap lines № 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and bus lines № 20, 27, 34, 35, 57 , N1, N2, N3, N7), ☎ +420 378 037 922, rezervace@mestanskabeseda.cz. This luxurious neo-Renaissance palace was completed last century by František Kotek who extended a pre-existing palace owned by the municipality. It is not possible to give a single definition of this place; if you are looking for cultural events this is the right place for you. The huge building, in fact, houses a bit of everything one could wish for: a restaurant, a literary café, various clubs and a set of rooms of different sizes used from time to time as a cinema, theatre, event halls or conference rooms . But even if you don't intend to listen to a lecture, which is almost all in Czech, we still recommend that you drop by and be charmed by the luxurious interiors and refined architecture of the building.
2 Škoda Sport Park, Malostranská (Stop Vodárna: bus lines № 22, 29, 30 and trolleybus lines № 10, 13), ☎ +420 739 005 699 (mobile). open all the year. The park is located south of the city centre. The park is the ideal place for those who love jogging or enjoying a long walk (even after sunset due to the artificial lighting). In addition to this, in the sports park there is a skateboard ramp, beach volleyball courts, a climbing wall and a rope center (LC) where you can try a course with 15 obstacles of varying difficulty both in pairs and individually if you are the adventurous type. For the more relaxed types there is a giant swing.
3 Fairy Tale House (Dům pohádek), Na Chmelnicích 1599/3, Severní Předměstí (Stop Amfiteátr: bus lines № 25, 41, 56), ☏ +420 724 770 728 (info - mobile), +420 725 950 066 (booking nanny - mobile), dumpohadek@polproduction.cz. Nanny service for your children 79,- CZK per hour. Tue-Sun 09:00–19:00. A house designed for children aged 3 and up, inspired by fairy tales with screens projecting the main fairy tale characters. Children can enjoy a fabulous program and workshops every day. The space is decorated with artwork of Mole, Křemílek and Vochomůrka, Reed and other characters from traditional Czech and Bohemian bedtime stories. The structure also offers the possibility of a complete catering and pastry service, desserts, sandwiches, cakes, salads, and much more. If you want to go and see the city and enjoy some time without your children you can take advantage of the service of a nanny.

 

Shopping

Prices in Plzeň are generally lower than in Prague. Like any self-respecting Bohemian city, the strong point of Plzeň or Pilsen (if you want to call it the German way) are the markets. Open-air markets are organized almost all year round and certainly during the holidays, where you can find many items of all kinds, from food to souvenirs.

Markets
1 St. Joseph's Traditional Market (Josefovsko – velikonoční tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. Between March and April.
2 Farmers' Markets (Farmářské trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. The second and last Saturday of each month, in the morning from 08:00 to 12:00, from the end of March to mid-December. Famous for its certified organic products.
3 May Market (Májový tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. In May.
4 St. Bartholomew's Traditional Market (Bartolomějský tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. In August.
5 St. Vincent Traditional Market (Václavský tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. In September.
6 Havel Traditional Market (Havelský tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. In October.
7 St. Martin's Traditional Market (Martinský tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. In November.
8 Traditional Christmas Market (Vánoční tradiční trhy), Náměstí Republiky, Vnitřní Město. Between November and December.

Organic shops - Bio a prirodni prodejny
9 HerBio organic store (Bioprodejna HerBio), V Šipce 653/8, Jižní Předměstí (Stop U Práce: bus lines № 27, 35, 57, N1, N2, N3, N7 and trolleybus lines № 10 to 17), ☎ +420 377 235 414, info@herbio.cz. Mon-Sat 08:00–18:00. Sale of organic food and products (biopotraviny a bioprodukty in Czech). edit
10 Little Hope Shop - Marie Hrubá's Aroma (Obchůdek naděje - Aroma v Marie Hrubá), Prokopova 206/27, Jižní Předměstí (Prokopova stop: trolleybus), ☎ +420 377 221 874, obchudeknadeje@hildegarda.cz. Mon-Fri 09:00–13:00/14:00–17:00. Sale of food and organic products (biopotraviny a bioprodukty) and products of alternative and homeopathic medicine, the work of a long tradition both in Europe (inaugurated by the medieval saint Hildegard of Bingen) and in Asia (in particular those used by Traditional Chinese Medicine).
11 Agricultural Products Shop (Farmářský obchod), Lobezská 57/63, Lobzy (Částkova stop: trolleybus line № 12), ☎ +420 734 738 524, info@farmarsky-obchod.cz. Mon-Fri 08:00-17:30. They sell fruit, vegetables, meat and other agricultural products. They also offer herbs and teas, wine, eggs, sausages, sea buckthorn and other pastry products.

 

What to do

Local diurni

1 Ristorante caffè bar Anděl (restaurant café bar Anděl), Bezručova 151/5, Inner City (Fermata Náměstí Republiky: tram linee № 1, 2, 4 and bus linee № 20, 33, N1, N4), ☎ +420 773 830 712 (mobile), info@andelcafe.cz. Mon-Mar 07:30-00:00, Wed-Giu 07:30-01:00, Fri 07:30-02:00, Sat 09:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-22:00, ai concerti si apre alle ore 20:00. Vegetarian restaurant with local and international cuisine specialty. bevande analcoliche con limonate australiane Bickford’s Old Style Sodas. Birre alla spina: Bernard 12° - Bernard 10° - Bernard scuro (Black) 13°.
2 Caffè Infinity senza Stress, OC Olympia, Písecká 972/1, district Plzeň 8-Černice (nel centro commerciale Olympia. Fermata NC Černice: filobus linea № 13 and bus linea № 32), ☎ +420 377 918 775, bezstresu@cafeinfinity.cz. Mon-Sun 09:00-21:00. Caffé con un amoblamiento tipico inizio anni anni 1960.
3 Caffè e bar Sky (Café and Bar Sky), Angliké nábreží 2434/1, Eastern Suburbs (16esimo piano del palazzo BCB. Fermata ´Engliské nábreží: filobus linea № 13), ☎ +420 378 226 185. lun-gio 14: 00-23:00, Fri 14:00-00:00, Sat 12:00-00:00, House 12:00-23:00. Il caffé Sky Bar offers a spectacular view of Pilsen dal palazzo BCB. Si possono gustare molti tipi di ottimi caffè classici o aromatizzati con dolci raffinati even di produzione propria. Per chi prefererìe vi sono cocktails e per chi a fame vi è anche una scelta gastronomica di piatti, acuaremente seleccionati dalle tendenze di gastronomia moderna (Testo ufficiale).

 

Nocturnal locals

4 Discoteca 21 Club, Prokopova 238/21, Bory, Jižní Předměstí (Entrata dal cortile. Fermata Prokopova: filobus linee № 10, 13, 14), ☎ +420 725 044 977 (mobile), +420 603 511 760 (mobile), info@21club.cz. Thu 21:00-03:00, Fri-Sat 19:00-05:00. Club aperto nel 1995 con una ballo track, bar, lounge, free internet connection via Wi-Fi, una terrazza estiva nel cortile con grill e posti a sedere. Birre dalla spina: Fenix 13° - Gambrinus 10° - Gambrinus Excellent 11° - Pilsenský Prazdroj.
5 Caffè Jazz rock Dominik, Dominikánská 281/3, Inner City (a circa 100 meters north of Piazza della Repubblica. Fermata Náměstí Repubblica: tram linee № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 721 546 231 (mobile), mailto :jazzrockdominikcafe@seznam.cz. Si accetta solo cashanti. Mon-Gio 10:00-01:00, Fri 10:00-04:00, Sat 13:00-02:00, House 13:00-00:00. Piacevole posto non fumatori nel centro della città che offer sia una tranquilla tazza daily di caffè e altre bevande nonalcoliche ma anche una selecta tra più di bevande alcoliche (with a vast selection of distillati: rum, vodka, whiskey e bourbon). Birre dalla spina: Fenix 13° - Gambrinus 10° - Pilsenský Prazdroj.
6 Discoteca e Bar Goethe's Mefisto (Goethe's Mefisto Dance Club and Bar), Smetanový sady, Goetheva 9/2, Jižní Předměstí (Fermata Goethe: filobus linea № 13 e autobus linea № N7 o fermata Museum: filobus linea № 13 e autobus linea № 33), ☎ +420 602 342 002 (mobile), info@mefistobar.com. Mon-Thurs 17:00-06:00, Fri-Sun 19:00-06:00. Il nome del locale vicino al parco Smetana è dueto al nome della strada e del suo personaggio Mefistofele di Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Musica: dance, rock and oldies in base al programma attuale. Birre dalla spina: Gambrinus 10° - Pilsenský Prazdroj.
7 Ristorante e club Paříž (Restaurant and club Paris), Pařížská 1710/5, Eastern Suburbs (Fermata Pařížská: filobus linee № 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 and autobus linee № 35, 57, N2, N3, N5, N6 ), ☎ +420 377 227 635. Ristorante con sala da ballo not molto distante dalla stazione ferroviaria centrale. Il più grande pointo di forza di questo ristorante è senza dubbio la sua cucina, che resta aperta even durante la notte, quindi nessun problema a trovara un buon pasto even tre e mezza del mattino. Birre dalla spina: Gambrinus 10° - Pilsenský Prazdroj.
8 Discoteca club e bar PH+ (Dance club and bar PH+), Martinská 10/1, Jižní Předměstí (Fermata Museum: filobus linea № 13 and bus linea № 33), ☎ +420 377 918 826, +420 777 760 169 (mobile ), pehacko@pehacko.cz. mer entrata gratuita, Fri-Sat 70,- and 90,- CZK. Wed, Fri-Sat 21:00-05:00, bar aperto solo fino alle 04:00. Discoteca al Kopecky sady. Musica: elettronica (House, Progressive, Electro). Birre alla spina: Garnet 12° - Hoegaarden White - Staropramen 10° - Staropramen 12° - Staropramen Black - Stella Artois.

 

Spettacoli

Biglietteria online Pilsen (Plzen ticket), info@plzenskavstupenka.cz. 24 ore su 24. Biglietti online per tutti gli eventi Plzeň2015, teatro, cinema, musica, festival, sport, bambini, techmania e altro.

 

Music

9 Orchestra filarmonica di Plzeň (Pilsen Philharmonic), Náměstí Míru 2363/10, Jižní Předměstí (Fermata Náměstí Míru: tram linea № 4 o fermata Poliklinika Bory: bus linea № 29), ☎ +420 377 423 336, info@plzenskafilharmonie.cz .

 

Teatro

10 Josefa Kajetána Tyla Great Theater (Velké divadlo J. K. Tyla), Smetanovy sady 1129/16, Jižní Předměstí (near the ethnographic museum. Divadlo J. K. Tyla stop: bus lines № 28, 41, 56 or Sady Pětatřicátníků stop: tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 378 038 070 (info), +420 378 038 190 (ticket office), fax: +420 377 323 941, gebelt@plzen.eu. around 7,- € for ordinary shows. JK Tyla Theater is one of the most important in the city and the main theater in the county. It was inaugurated on 27 September 1902 and is the work of the architect Antonín Balšánek. Many artists, sculptors and painters collaborated on the decorations of this sumptuous opera house. Today it is the most prestigious place an artist can dream of performing in the city. The great room and foyer may also be rented for holding private events. Pre-sale tickets at the ticket office on Sedláčkova 174/2 in the city centre.
11 Josefa Kajetána Tyla New Theater (Nové divadlo J. K. Tyla), Palackého náměstí 2971/30, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 378 038 048 (info), +420 378 038 049 (info), +420 378 038 190 (bi ticket office), kaslj@plzen.eu. Built specifically for events related to the title of European capital of culture, the new theater opened its doors at the end of 2014 and is housed in a building with ultra-modern architecture. In terms of events, this theater with its two stages, the "new stage" (Nové scéna) and the "small stage" (Malá scéna) focuses on the same genres as the big theater and on more modern compositions which are lacking in the previous one . Pre-sale tickets at the ticket office on Sedláčkova 174/2 in the city centre.
12 Alfa Theater (Divadlo Alfa), Rokycanská 174/7, Lobzy (Letná stop: bus lines № N3, N6 or trolleybus lines № 11, 15), ☏ +420 378 038 464 (info), +420 378 038 464 (ticket office ), fax: +420 378 038 477, info@divadloalfa.cz. Mon-Fri 08:00-15:30. A theater dedicated to children.
13 V Boudě Puppet Theater (Loutkové divadlo V Boudě (IT) In the Hall), in M-Klub, Macháčkova 943/28, Skvrňany (Stop Zadní Skvrňany: bus lines № 24. 37, N2 or railway stop Plzeň-Zadní Skvrňany) , ☎ +420 607 910 127 (mobile), kasparek@vboude.com. Sun-Fri closed, Sat 4pm–5pm. This theater mainly focuses on traditional plays by Czech authors. The implementation of these games is done in the traditional illusory way, of the puppeteer theater, in the historical setting of the historical puppets on the strings.
14 Špalíček Puppet Theater (Loutkové divadlo Špalíček (IT) Crack), in D-Klub, Zábělská 1280/54b, Doubravka (Habrmannovo námesti stop: trolleybus lines № 16, 17 or Doubravka stop: bus lines № 28, N6), ☎ +420 777 639 484 (mobile), spalicek.ld@seznam.cz. 30,- CZK. The show starts at 3.30pm. Ticket office open from 3.00pm.
15 Střípek Puppet Theater (Loutkové divadlo Střípek), Kyjevská 1672/49, Východní Předměstí (Stop Nám. Generála Píky: tram line № 2), ☎ +420 371 422 102, +420 604 181 245 ( mobile), divadlo.stripek @seznam.cz.

 

Where to eat

Modest prices
1 Vegetka Restaurant (Restaurace Vegetka), Americká 1166/13, Jižní Předměstí (Stop U Práce: bus lines № 27, 35, 57, N1, N2, N3, N7 and trolleybus lines № 10 to 17), ☎ +420 377 325 882, info@vegetka.cz. Mon-Fri 07:30-18:00. The restaurant also offers a vegetarian and vegan menu.

Average prices
2 Na Spilce Restaurant (Restaurace Na Spilce), U Prazdroje 64/7, Východní Předměstí (access through the souvenir shop in the Pilsner Urquell brewery. Prazdroj stop: bus line № 28 and trolleybus № 13), ☎ +420 377 062 755 , naspilce@naspilce.com. Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm. With 550 seats, perhaps the largest Czech restaurant, located in the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
3 Na Parkanu (Pivovarský šenk Na Parkanu), Veleslavínova 59/4, Vnitřní Město (Na Rychtářce stop: bus line № 28), ☏ +420 377 324 485, info@naparkanu.com. favorable prices for specials of the day (CS) denni-nabidka. Mon-Wed 11:00-23:00, Thu 11:00-24:00, Fri–Sat 11:00-01:00, Sun 11:00-22:00. Brewery-Tavern in the 30s style, founded in 1966, takes its name from its location close to the city walls, called Parkány.
4 U Mansfelda (Restaurace a Vinárna U Mansfelda), Dřevěná 102/9, Vnitřní Město (Stop Náměstí Republiky: bus lines № 20, 33, 40, N1), ☎ +420 377 333 844, fax: +420 377 333 8 45, info@umansfelda.cz. Restaurant: Mon-Thurs 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 12:00-22:00. Wine shop: Tue-Sat 17:00-24:00. Restaurant on the ground floor of a building in the city centre. Serves good traditional Czech food. Together with the wine cellar, located on the lower floor, it gives a rustic and at the same time homely atmosphere. The restaurant also has a beautiful terrace, raised above street level, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Šafářovy Sady park.
5 Potrefená Husa (Restaurace Potrefená Husa), Martinská 10/1, Jižní Předměstí (Stop Muzeum: bus lines № 33, 40 and trolleybus lines № 13), ☎ +420 377 320 832. Sun-Mon 11am–12pm , Tue–Sat 11:00–01:00. Cuisine: international.
6 U Salzmannu, Pražská 90/8, Vnitřní Město (Náměstí Republiky stop: tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 377 235 476, info@usalzmannu.com. Mon-Thurs 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 11:00-22:00. The oldest club in Plzeň.
7 Stará Sladovna, Malá 362/3, Vnitřní Město, ☎ +420 377 225 151, +420 773 225 154 (mobile), info@rafia.cz. Mon-Thurs 11am-12pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm. Medieval style restaurant and tavern.
8 Slunečnize, Jungmannova 169/4, Jižní Předměstí (Mrakodrap stop: trolleybus lines № 10 to 17), ☎ +420 377 236 093, slunecnice@slunecniceplzen.cz. Mon-Sun 11am–8pm. Restaurant with organic dishes, also vegetarian or vegan.

 

Where stay

Modest prices

1 AK Penzion, Křimická 280/102, Skvrňany (Sulislavská stop: bus lines № 41, 56), ☎ +420 605 113 606 (mobile), kpenzion@seznam.cz. Family-run pension with double, triple and quadruple rooms with private bathroom. Kitchen with fridge, microwave and kettle for common use
2 Euro Hostel/Hotel Roudna, Na Roudné 400/13, Severní Předměstí (Otýlie Beníškové stop: bus lines № 20, 33, 40, N1), ☎ +420 377 259 926, info@hotelroudna.cz.
3 Penzion Mirtl, Zborovská 103/7, Doudlevce (Doudlevce stop, ETZ: trolleybus lines № 10, 13, 14 and bus lines № 22, 29), ☏ +420 603 243 924 (mobile), montasto@seznam.cz. 280,- CZK per person and night. Pension with double and triple rooms with shared bathroom. Kitchen with fridge, microwave and kettle for common use.
4 Penzion Harry, Křimická 284/114, Skvrňany (Sulislavská stop: bus lines № 41, 56), ☎ +420 377 383 047, penzionhary@seznam.cz.
5 Accommodation Plzeň (Ubytovna Plzeň), Náměstí Českých bratří 2476/10, Jižní Předměstí (Stop Náměstí Českých bratří: trolleybus line № 16 and bus line № 22, 41. Railway station Plzeň-Jižní předměstí about 300 m.), ☎ + 420 378 138 601, fax: +420 378 138 600, info@ubytovnyplzen.cz. from 170,- CZK p min. four nights or 275,- CZK for one night per person. The least expensive accommodation in Plzeň, simple and clean with the most beautiful view on the upper floors over the city.
6 Presente Plus Accommodation (Ubytovna Presente Plus), Slovanská alej 2445/41, Východní Předměstí (Světovar stop: tram line № 2 and bus lines № 22, 51, N2), ☎ +420 377 918 188.
7 River Hostel (Hostel River), Černická 571/14, Jižní Předměstí (Stop U Radbuzy: trolleybus lines № 10, 13, 14), ☎ +420 774 082 790 (mobile), hostelriver@seznam.cz.
8 Silenus accommodation (Ubytovna Silenus), Zahradní 1941/25, Východní Předměstí (Liliová stop: tram lines № 1, 4 and bus line № N2), ubytovna.zahradni@silenus.cz. Double, triple and quadruple rooms with semi- or private bathroom. There are fridge, microwave and kettle for common use
9 Zahradni Lodging (Ubytovna Zahradni), Zahradní 2078/21, Východní Předměstí (Jedlová or Liliová stop: tram lines № 1, 4 and bus lines № N2), ☎ +420 377 443 262, recepce@ubytovnaplzen.cz

 

Average prices

10 Pension City, Sady 5. Května 52, (Náměstí Republiky stop: tram lines № 1, 2, 4), ☎ +420 377 326 069.
11 Pension Morrison, Thámova 797/9, Jižní Předměstí (Chodské náměstí stop: tram line № 4 and bus line № N1), ☎ +420 377 370 952, hotel@morrison.cz.
12 Pension Stará Plzeň ***, Na Roudné 68/12, Severní Předměstí (Otýlie Beníškové stop: bus lines № 20, 33, 40, N1), ☎ +420 377 259 901, pension.sp@centrum.cz. Check-in: 2.00pm, check-out: 11.00am. Hotel in historic house with rooms furnished with real wood furniture.
13 Pension Vis, Farského 638/14, Východní Předměstí (Jedlová stop: tram lines № 1, 4 and bus lines № N2), ☎ +420 608 672 782 (mobile), penzionvis@visplzen.cz. room 550,- CZK for one person, 950,- CZK for two people, plus 100,- CZK if breakfast.

 

High prices

14 Hotel Central, Náměstí Republiky 358/33, Vnitřní Město (Náměstí Republiky stop: tram lines № 1, 2, 4 and bus lines № 20, 33, 40, N1), ☎ +420 377 226 757, hotel-central@zkdplzen .cz.
15 Hotel Courtyard (Marriott hotel chain), Sady 5. kvetna 2699/57, Východní Předměstí (~162 m – 3 min Na Rychtářce stop: bus line № 28), ☎ +420 373 370 131, +420 373 370 134, cy.prgpz.reception@courtyard.com. 195 room hotel with in room coffee maker, workout center with terrace, covered parking, Pils'n'Grill restaurant with show kitchen, 24/7 convenience store, free Wi-Fi, GoBoard - a virtual concierge. Also four conference rooms varying in size.
16 Hotel Irida ***s, Na Poříčí 398/3, Severní Předměstí (Otýlie Beníškové stop: bus lines № 20, 33, 40, N1), ☎ +420 725 479 418, fax: +420 373 729 616, hotel@ irida.cz. single room from 1.250,- CZK, double from 1.550.- CZK.
17 Hotel Panorama (Best Western hotel chain), V Lomech 1836/11, Bolevec (~230 m – 3 min. Tleskačova stop: bus line № 27), ☎ +420 377 534 323, fax: +420 377 534 328, recepte@panorama-pm.cz.
18 Parkhotel Plzeň, U Borského parku 2791/31, Jižní Předměstí (~140 m – 2 min. stop Sídliště Bory: trolleybus lines № 14, 16 and bus line № 30), ☎ +420 378 772 977, fax: +420 378 772 978, hotel@parkhotel-czech.eu. Hotel with its own congress center with eleven rooms for 1500 guests.
19 Hotel Primavera ****, Nepomucká 1058/128, Černice (~241 m – 4 min. stop Čechurov: trolleybus lines № 10, 13 or bus lines № 23, N2), ☏ +420 378 020 500, fax: +420 378 020 501, info@primaverahotel.cz. Hotel with its own congress centre.
20 Purkmistr ****, Selská náves 21/2, Černice (at ~410 m – 6 min. stop U Staré Kovárny: trolleybus line № 13 or bus lines № 32, N2, N5), ☎ +420 377 994 311, fax: +420 377 994 377, recepce@purkmistr.cz. Hotel with restaurant, own brewery and an area.
21 Hotel U Zvonu ****, Pražská 2685/27, Východní Předměstí (~177 m – 3 min. stop U Zvonu: bus lines № 71, 72), ☎ +420 378 011 855, fax: +420 378 011 856, recepce@hotel-uzvonu.cz.

 

Health

University hospital, Lochotín campus (Fakultní nemocnice, Lochotín), Alej Svobody 923/80, Severní Předměstí (Nemocnice stop Lochotín: bus lines № 25, 33, 34), ☎ +420 377 103 111, fnplzen@fnplzen.cz.
University Hospital, Bory campus (Fakultní nemocnice, Bory), Edvarda Beneše 1128/13, Jižní Předměstí (Nemocnice Bory stop: trolleybus line № 16 and bus lines № 22, N1), ☎ +420 377 401 111, fnplzen@fnplzen.cz .
Agel Polyclinic (Poliklinika Agel, Železniční poliklinika), Švihovská 2444/14, Východní Předměstí (Stop Železniční poliklinika: trolleybus lines № 11, 15, 16, 17), ☎ +420 371 155 200, +42 0 371 155 201, plzen@pol .agel.cz. General hospital for railway workers, managed by Agel.
30 Bory Polyclinic (Poliklinika Bory), Čechova 2641/44, Jižní Předměstí (Stop Poliklinika Bory: bus line № 29), ☎ +420 373 723 111, info@poliklinikabory.cz.
Polyclinic Denisovo nabrezi (Poliklinika Denisovo nabrezi), Denisovo nábřeží 1000/4, Východní Předměstí (Hlavní nádraží stop (then walk towards the back of the Police station): tram lines № 1, 2, 4 or Pařížská stop (then walk along the at the back of the Tesco shop): bus lines № 34, N2, N3, N5, N6 or trolleybus lines № 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17), ☎ +420 378 218 111, fax: +420 378 218 417, info@pdnplzen.cz. The polyclinic on Denisovo nábřeží in Plzeň, in addition to being the city's university hospital, is also an important health facility for the entire county.
Slovany Polyclinic, Francouzská třída 2080/4, Východní Předměstí (Poliklinika Slovany stop: bus lines № 29, 30 or further away Radnice Slovany stop: tram line № 2), ☎ +420 378 014 111, info@poliklinikaslovany.cz. Second city polyclinic. Perhaps smaller than the previous one, but equally equipped and efficient.

 

How to keep in touch

Internet
Free Internet connection is available in many hotels, cafés and restaurants. In case of need, there are several Internet cafes scattered around Plzeň:
Arena - Internet Cafe (Internetová kavárna Arena), Františkánská 126/10, Vnitřní Město (near St. Bartholomew's Cathedral), ☎ +420 377 220 402.
Internet PC Games - Internet Cafe (Internetová kavárna Net-Games), Prokopova 336/30, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 604 238 967 (mobile), lukas.tousek@seznam.cz. Mon-Fri 08:00–22:00, Sat-Sun 10:00–22:00.
Neila - Internet Cafe (Internetová kavárna Neila), Palackého náměstí 618/24, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 728 852 172 (mobile), neila@neila.cz. Mon-Fri 09:00–22:00, Sat 14:00–22:00, Sun 14:00–21:00.
Studio Nico - Internet Cafe (Internetová kavárna Nico), Koperníkova 822/25, Jižní Předměstí, ☎ +420 608 026 667 (mobile), pe999@email.cz. Mon-Sat 09:00–18:00.

 

Name

The newly founded royal medieval city was originally called Nová Plzeň. The name was taken from an older castle with an agglomeration in its subcastle, which are now called Hůrka and Starý Plzenec. The name Plzeň is documented for them already in the 10th century in the Latin transcription Pilisin and Plizen. Its origin is uncertain. According to one theory, it comes from a personal name (however otherwise unsubstantiated) and meant "Pilzna castle" (castle), another theory assumes a connection with the Russian word opoľzeň and the meaning of "landslide", "sliding mountain" with reference to the character of the terrain.

 

History

Medieval

The first mentions of Plzeň (today's Old Pilsen) date back to 976, when Prince Boleslav II. defeated the army of the German king Otto II. A city seat with a number of churches and lively commercial activity gradually grew in the castle grounds. King Václav II transferred the city to its current location (in the southern neighborhood of the then village of Malice) under the name Nová Plzeň. in 1295 as an important commercial crossroads of western Bohemia on the way from Prague to Bavaria. This solved the problem of water supply, as the place was located at the confluence of the Mže and Radbuza rivers.

Thanks to its favorable location at the crossroads of trade routes and especially on the route from German lands to Prague, Plzeň soon became the third largest and most important city after Prague and Kutná Hora. At this time, the church of St. Bartholomew in the center of the square, the Franciscan monastery in the southeast by the walls, the unpreserved Dominican monastery in the northwest, the hospital church of St. Mary Magdalene from 1320.

At the very beginning of the Hussite Wars, the Hussites had great influence in the city thanks to the radical priest Václav Korand. In 1420, however, Koranda and Jan Žižka had to leave for Tábor, and Plzeň became a stronghold of the Catholic party. It was unsuccessfully besieged three times, first by Jan Žižka and then twice by Prokop Holý, and participated in the resistance against Jiří z Poděbrady. From 1467, the Prague Chapter was located in Plzeň, which was the highest body of the Roman Catholic Church in Bohemia in the years 1431–1561. The administrator of the archbishopric at that time was Hilarius Litoměřický, who wrote a Latin History of the City of Plzeň in addition to writings arguing with the Kališniks. Plzeň is also the cradle of Czech book printing, the oldest print is apparently the Statute of Arnošt of Pardubice from 1476, although earlier it was considered the Trojan Chronicle from 1468. The oldest printing house operated on the corner of today's Smetanova and Bezručova streets until 1533.

 

Early Modern Age

At the beginning of the 16th century, the city was significantly damaged by fires, especially in 1507, when two thirds of the city burned down. The robber knight Bavůrek from Švamberk was executed in the Plzeň square, which sparked a number of protests. For nine months at the turn of 1599 and 1600 (from September to June), Plzeň became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, when Emperor Rudolf II. fled from a plague epidemic. He resided in the so-called Imperial House next to today's Pilsen Town Hall building.

In 1618, Plzeň was conquered for the first time by the army of the Czech estates under the command of Peter Arnošt II. Mansfeld. During the Thirty Years' War, the economy and culture declined. Swedish sieges in 1637 and 1648 were unsuccessful. On January 8, 1683, the 35th infantry regiment was founded in Pilsen by decree of Leopold I. In 1695, Jan Sladký Kozina, the leader of the Chod uprising against the nobility, was executed in Pilsen.

In 1799, during the Napoleonic Wars, Russian troops passed through the city. On days 16-18 Marshal Alexander Vasiljevič Suvorov stayed here in December.

 

Industrial development

In the 19th century, burgomaster Martin Kopecký (1828–1850) had the walls demolished and in their place, orchards were built around the old town, today known as the Gardens of Pětatřicátníků, Smetana, Kopecký, Šafaříkovy, Křižíkovy and 5. května. In 1832, the first stone theater was built. In 1839, it was decided to establish the Town Brewery (Bürgerliches Brauhaus, later Prazdroj), and on October 5, 1842, the Bavarian brewer Josef Groll brewed the first batch of beer in it. In 1859, Count Valdštejn founded a branch of his foundries and machine shops in Plzeň. The factory, which was bought by its chief engineer Emil Škoda in 1869, became the basis of future Škoda plants. In 1869, the First Pilsen joint-stock brewery in Plzeň (later Gambrinus) was founded. In 1882, František Křižík obtained a patent for his invention of an arc lamp here, and in the following years in Pilsen he implemented contracts for the modernization of public lighting and the construction of a street electric railway (opened in 1899). At the end of the 19th century, Pilsen became the cradle of the Czech Art Nouveau.

Already from the middle of the 19th century, Plzeň was the second largest city in Bohemia and the third in all Czech countries, but by the end of the 20th century it was already the fourth in the Czech Republic, when it was overtaken by Ostrava. However, as a West Bohemian metropolis, it prospered thanks to the development of engineering and other industrial plants. During the interwar period, the city expanded, in 1924 the villages of Doubravka, Doudlevce, Lobzy and Skvrňany were joined, creating "Great Pilsen", the population of which exceeded one hundred thousand (up until then, Pilsen itself was divided into the Inner City, the Eastern Prague Suburbs, southern Imperial Suburbs and northern Saxon Suburbs). Luděk Pik was the mayor of the city in the years 1919–1938. A monument to the National Liberation with a dominating bronze statue of T. G. Masaryk was built on T. G. Masaryk Square, which was ceremoniously unveiled on October 28, 1928, as a thank you to the president for the establishment and ten years of functioning of the republic.

 

World War II

In 1938, the Czechoslovak Republic ceded its border territories to Germany. The mostly Czech Pilsen remained on the territory of the republic, but it became a city on the very border and was surrounded on three sides by Germany. The municipalities to the northwest and southwest already belonged to the Empire, as well as the present-day districts of Plzeň-Litice and Plzeň-Lhota. By government decree, on May 1, 1942, Pilsen was expanded to include the municipalities of Bolevec, Božkov, Bukovec, Černice, Hradiště, Koterov, Radobyčice, Újezd ​​and the territorial remains of the municipality of Litic (a municipality incorporated into the Empire) and became a statutory city with 130,000 inhabitants. At that time, Škoda's factories were an important armory supplying the German army. Even so, Pilsen escaped bombing for a long time, the first major air raid did not take place until December 20, 1944, during which the brewery complex, especially Prazdroj (18 dead) was destroyed the most. Škoda's plants were significantly damaged by bombing only at the very end of the war, with an air raid on April 25, 1945, when the Allies warned of the air raid via the BBC station to minimize civilian casualties. There were a total of eleven raids during the entire war, claiming 926 victims. The attacks caused significant damage to the Nazis, but there were also mistakes, whose civilian victims became a grateful morsel of propaganda - both Nazi and later communist.

 

The post-war era

Pilsen was liberated by American troops led by General Patton on May 6, 1945. According to the American-Soviet agreement, Patton was not allowed to continue. Today, the liberation of Plzeň is commemorated by the Patton Memorial Pilsen - Memorial to the American Army 1945 made as a permanent museum. After February 1948, during the celebrations of the anniversary of the end of the war, there was not a word about the Americans in Plzeň.

On June 1, 1953, the first anti-communist mass riots occurred in Plzeň in connection with the then-current currency reform, with demonstrators being shot. The revenge of the communist regime was, in addition to the repression against the demonstrators, mainly Škodovka workers, also the demolition of the Masaryk monument, a symbol of undesirable democracy. It was the first popular protest in the entire Soviet bloc.

At the end of the 1950s, a massive development of housing construction began in the form of housing estates. The first large area was established in Slovany, followed by Doubravka in 1961 and Bory in 1968. On January 20, 1969, Josef Hlavatý, a young brewery worker, set himself on fire in T. G. Masaryk Square in protest against the Soviet occupation. Construction moved to the north in the 1970s and 1980s, extensive housing estates were built in the Bolevka and Lochotín areas, just before the Velvet Revolution, construction gradually moved west to the Vinice area. Thanks to this rapid development, in 1972 the city exceeded the threshold of 150,000 inhabitants. Four years later, the municipalities of Černice, Radobyčice, Koterov, Červený Hrádek, Křimice and Radčice were also annexed, and Pilsen gained the borders it had until 2002.

In the 1990s, the D5 highway was built near Plzeň, connecting Prague with the former West Germany. However, due to complications, the completion of this important thoroughfare, which partially solved the disastrous traffic situation in Plzeň at the time, dragged on until the first decade of the 21st century.

 

European Capital of Culture 2015

In September 2010, the representatives of the international jury in Prague announced the city of Plzeň as the winner of the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2015. In the final, Plzeň was given priority over Ostrava. As part of the project, the New Theater was built and a sports and relaxation center was created in Štruncový sady in the vicinity of the football stadium. A complex of buildings with studios and apartments for artists was to be built on the site of the former brewery in Světovar, but this project was canceled at the end of 2014. Its place was taken by the former depot of transport companies, now DEPO2015. It created the so-called creative zone. Concerts, exhibitions, lectures, conferences are organized in DEPO2015. It includes open works Makerspace DEPO2015, open office Coworking, educational program for creative industries, artist-in-residence program Open A.i.R. or community garden. In 2015, the Rock for People Europe festival also took place here, and two months later the theater performance of the Giant Puppets in Pilsen ended here, which, according to the organizers, was seen by 100,000 people.

At the end of April 2014, the project won the Melina Mercouri Award, which is recommended by the monitoring and advisory committee for the European Capitals of Culture. The condition was the fulfillment of previously given readiness criteria. Plzeň 2015 thus received a subsidy of 1.5 million euros for its project.

According to the Plzeň-Tourism organization, less than 3.4 million visitors visited the city in the "cultural" year of 2015. Of these, more than 2.8 million were one-day trips. Approximately 540,000 tourists spent at least one night here. A quarter of the one-day visitors were guests from abroad, half of whom came from Germany. The numbers were shown by the analysis of signal data of mobile operators.

 

Population

Due to growing industry, the development of the population of Pilsen was quite significant from the middle of the 19th century. It reached its largest number, 175,229 inhabitants, in 1986. Since then, however, due to suburbanization, their number has been slowly decreasing, until after 2005 there was a turnaround and, for example, in 2016, Pilsen had 169,858 inhabitants. Almost 40,000 people also commute to the city for work and study. The Pilsen agglomeration has an area of 1,323 km², it consists of a total of 108 municipalities, and as of 2019, it had 308,707 inhabitants.

Composition of the population
According to the 1921 census, there were 88,416 inhabitants living in 3,284 houses, of which 43,057 were women. 79,166 inhabitants claimed Czechoslovak nationality, 6,757 German and 701 Jewish. 52,514 Roman Catholics, 5,763 Evangelicals, 4,427 members of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and 3,094 Jews lived here. According to the 1930 census, 114,704 inhabitants lived here in 6,451 houses. 105,731 inhabitants claimed Czechoslovak nationality and 6,782 German. 61,344 Roman Catholics, 10,891 Evangelicals, 6,803 members of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and 2,773 Jews lived here.

Currently (year 2017), the majority of the population, precisely 119,000 inhabitants, claim Czech nationality. The most numerous minorities are Slovak (3,086), Ukrainian (2,080) and Vietnamese (965).

 

Transport

Road
Pilsen is an important traffic junction. The D5 highway between Prague and Nuremberg with the Pilsen bypass is of major importance today, other important roads lead to Písek, Karlovy Vary and Klatovy

Railway junction
Pilsen Central Station is a key part of the Pilsen railway hub, lines to Prague (line 170), České Budějovice (line 190), Klatovy (line 183), Domažlice (line 180), Cheb (line 178) and Žatec (line 160) depart from there. . The line Prague–Plzen–Cheb is part of the III. of the railway corridor, i.e. the backbone line adapted for speeds of up to 160 km/h. The city also has railway stations Plzeň-Křimice, Plzeň-Orlík, Plzeň-Doubravka, Plzeň-Jižní Předměstí, Plzeň-Bolevec, Plzeň-Bílá Hora, Plzeň-Doudlevce, Plzeň-Slovany, Plzeň-Skvrňany, Plzeň-Zadní Skvrňany , Pilsen stop and Pilsen-Valcha.

Municipal
Of course, there is also a dense network of urban public transport with trams, trolleybuses and buses. Tram transport is provided by three lines. Line No. 1 connects Bolevec and Slovany, Line No. 2 Světovar and Skvrňany, and the busiest Line No. 4 Košutka and the campus of the University of West Bohemia in Borské polý. Trolleybus transport in Pilsen complements the tram network. There are a total of 9 trolleybus lines in operation. City buses mainly connect very distant parts of the city and, as suburban connections, they also go to some municipalities outside the city.

Aviation
The public domestic and non-public international airport Pilsen-Líně is located 11 km southwest of Pilsen in the village of Líně.

 

Personalities

Oskar Baum (1883–1941), writer and music critic
Jaroslav Beneš (* 1946), photographer
Joseph Cardinal Beran (1888–1969), Archbishop of Prague
Hugo Boettinger (1880–1934), painter, printmaker
Blanka Bohdanova (1930–2021), actress, painter, theater teacher
Felix le Breux (1918–1974), actor
Rudolf Cortés (1921–1986), actor and singer
Petr Čech (* 1982), football goalkeeper
Jaroslav Čechura (* 1952), historian, professor, archivist
Jaroslav Černý (1898–1970), Egyptologist
Karel Černý (1922–2014), stage designer
Kateřina Emmons (* 1983), three-time Olympic medalist in shooting (bronze 2004, gold and silver 2008)
Pavel Francouz (* 1990), hockey player
Jiřina Fuchsová (* 1943), writer, poet, translator
Gertrud Fussenegger (1912–2009), Austrian writer
Karel Gott (1939–2019), singer
Peter Grünberg (1939–2018), German physicist, Nobel Prize winner
František Harant (1925–1985), mathematician and geometer, professor at Czech Technical University
Miroslav Hauner (*1950), photographer, publisher
Vilém Heckel (1918–1970), photographer and mountaineer
Miroslav Horníček (1918–2003), actor, playwright, director, writer, artist
Jaroslav Hruška (1890–1954), sculptor
Luboš Hruška (1927–2007), political prisoner of the communist regime and creator of the Meditation Garden in Pilsen
Karel Chochola (1893–1942), architect, urban planner, furniture maker
Karel Janovický (* 1930), music composer, pianist
Filip Jícha (* 1982), handball player, the best handball player in the world in 2010, two-time winner of the Handball Champions League (with THW Kiel)
Milan Kajkl (1950–2014), hockey player, world champion 1976 and 1977
Karel Hugo Kepka (1869–1924), architect
Milan Knížák (* 1940), artist
Bohumil Konečný (1918–1990), painter, draftsman, illustrator
Jiří Kovařík (1932–1994), academic painter
Jana Kovaříková (1890–1960), actress
František Kovářík (1886–1984), actor, voice actor
Milan Kraft (* 1980), hockey player
Kamil Krofta (1876–1945), historian, diplomat, politician
Richard Krofta (1873−1958), lawyer, chairman of the board of directors of the Municipal Brewery
František Krásný (1865–1947), architect
František Kreuzmann the Elder (1895–1960), actor
Jiří Kučera (* 1966), hockey player
Jiří Langmajer (* 1966), actor, winner of the Thalia Award for artists under 33 in 1999
Gottfried Lindauer (Bohumír Lindauer) (1839–1926), New Zealand painter
Josef Mandl (1874–1933), painter
Matouš Mandl (1865–1948), lawyer and mayor of the city
Antonín Matzner (1944–2017), columnist, writer, producer, music director and playwright
Leo Meisl (1901–1944), architect
Karel Paleček (1896–1962), legionnaire, soldier and founder of the airborne units of the Czechoslovak Army
Václav Pech Jr. (* 1976), rally driver, five-time champion of the Czech Republic and two-time champion of Slovakia
Jindřich Plachta (1899–1951), actor, writer
Ignác František Platzer (1717–1787), sculptor and carver
Marie Poppeová (1856–1938), teacher, writer and translator
Karel Pošta (1914–1961), pilot of the 312th Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron RAF
Adolf Pytlík (1839 – 1908), Czech brewer and industrialist, respected citizen and honorary citizen of the city of Pilsen
Marie Rosůlková (1901–1993), actress
Zuzana Růžičková (1927–2017), harpsichordist, pianist and music teacher
Pavel Samiec (* 1984), accordionist and music composer
Jaroslav Skála (1916–2007), physician-psychiatrist, founder of the first detention center
Václav Smil (* 1943), Czech-Canadian scientist
Jan Soukup (* 1946), architect, designer
Vít Starý (* 1989), singer, guitarist, lyricist
Martin Stelzer (1815–1894), Pilsen builder (Town Brewery, Great Synagogue, Saxon/Roosevelt Bridge)
Martin Straka (* 1972), hockey player, Olympic champion 1998 and world champion 2005
Barbora Strýcová (* 1986), tennis player, Wimbledon 2019 winner, Olympic medalist (bronze 2016)
Jiří Suchý (* 1931), singer, actor, director, theater artist, musician, composer, lyricist and poet
Ladislav Sutnar (1897–1976), designer, typographer
Petr Sýkora (* 1976), hockey player, world champion 1999 and 2005, winner of the Stanley Cup 1999/2000 and 2008/2009
Fritz von Scholz (1896–1944), Lieutenant General of the Waffen-SS
Eva Šenková (1923–2004), actress and singer
Vladimír Šindler (* 1971), hockey referee
Lenka Šindelářová (* 1955), actress and singer
Vojtěch Šíp (1885–1931), sculptor
Emil Škoda (1839–1900), technician, industrialist, founder of the Škoda company
Růžena Šlemrová (1886–1962), actress
Karel Šrom (1904–1981), music composer and publicist
Alois Terš (1910–1987), Czech pedagogue, artist and national studies worker
Jan Trávníček (* 1976), mountaineer and traveler
Vlastislav Toman (1929–2022), Czech journalist, writer of adventure books and screenwriter of comics
Jiří Trnka (1912–1969), puppeteer, artist, illustrator, screenwriter and director of animated films
Václav Trojan (1907–1983), music composer and music teacher
Ota Ulč (1930–2022), Czech writer in exile, lawyer, professor of political science
Josef Větrovec (1922–2002), actor, voice actor
Jaroslav Vogel (1894–1970), conductor and music composer
Karel Votlučka (1896–1963), painter, graphic artist, illustrator
Barbora Votíková (* 1996), soccer goalkeeper and YouTuber
Marek Wollner (* 1967), journalist, writer
Miroslav Zikmund (1919–2021), traveler and writer