Plzeň is a statutory city in western Bohemia and the capital of
the Pilsen region. It lies at the confluence of the rivers Mže,
Radbuza, Úhlava and Úslava, from which the river Berounka
originates. Approximately 175,000 inhabitants live here and is thus
the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic. According to the ITI
strategy, over 300,000 people live in the Pilsen metropolitan area,
more than 50% of the population of the Plzeň region.
Plzeň is
known as an industrial and brewing city. Škoda Transportation and
other companies continue the tradition of the legendary Škoda, and
on the other side of the regional capital, the well-known Prazdroj
and Gambrinus beers are brewed. Bottom-fermented light lager is
referred to as Plzeň-type beer, and worldwide as Pilsner or Pils,
after the German name of the city of Plzeň. Plzeň also has
significant cultural significance. There are numerous cultural
houses and theaters. The city also houses the diocese of the Pilsen
diocese. Higher education is represented by the University of West
Bohemia and the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. In 2015, Plzeň
(together with the Belgian Mons) was the European Capital of
Culture. The current historical core of the city has a regular
network of streets with a rectangular square of the Republic in the
middle (139 × 193 m), which is dominated by the Cathedral of St.
Bartholomew with the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.