Pilsen Region – PLŽEŇSKÝ KRAJ
Today, we will start our tour through the Pilsen region in the city of Pilsen – PLZEŇ.
The dominant building of the city is the St. Bartholomew´s Cathedral in Pilsen CHRÁM SV. BARTOLOMĚJE V PLZNI. It has the tallest church spire – KOSTELNÍ VĚŽ – in Bohemia, measuring 102,26 m. In Pilsen, there is also the Synagogue – SYNAGÓGA – the second largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. Synagogues in Jerusalem and Budapest are the largest ones. Some of you might have tasted the world known beer PLZEŇSKÝ PRAZDROJ. Worth seeing is the Brewery Museum in Pilsen – MUZEUM PIVOVARNICTVÍ – the oldest museum of its kind in the world, preserved in the original medieval brewery house. The first Czech earliest print – PRVOTISK – written in Czech language – the Troyan Chronicle – KRONIKA TROJÁNSKÁ – was printed in Pilsen in 1468.
Rotunda of St. Peter and Paul in Starý Plzenec – ROTUNDA SV. PETRA A PAVLA– the oldest integral architectural landmark in Bohemia, was built in the 10th century, originally it used to be part of the Premyslovec settlement – SOUČÁST PŘEMYSLOVSKÉHO HRADIŠTĚ
In the Church of St. Vintíř in Dobrá Voda nearby Hartmanice – KOSTEL SV. VINTÍŘE V DOBRÉ VODĚ U HARTMANIC – has an unique monumental glass altar- UNIKÁTNÍ SKLENĚNÝ OLTÁŘ – the only one of its kind in the world, Church of St. Vintíř is one of just two churches, together with the spa church in Letiny, of this sanctification – ZASVĚCENÍ – in the world
Sumava Mountains – ŠUMAVA and Czech Forest Mountains – ČESKÝ LES (jointly with the neighboring Bavaria Forest) are the most extensive forest belt in Middle Europe. The Black Lake – ČERNÉ JEZERO – in Sumava is considered the greatest lake in the Czech Republic. Also worth visiting is the Devil´s lake – ČERTOVO JEZERO. You may explore Sumava through many well marked trails and get to see the Vydra river – ŘEKA VYDRA, part of the Gold Trail – ZLATÁ STEZKA as the gold and silver mining was common here in Middle Ages.
Rabi castle – HRAD RÁBÍ – It is one of the largest and best fortified ruins not only in the Czech republic, but also in Central Europe. At the time of its greatest fame it had an area of around 10,000 square meters.
Kašperk castle – HRAD KAŠPERK – is the highest situated royal castle in Bohemia (886 m)
The city of KLATOVY – is known for its Catacombs – KATAKOMBY – the mysterious underground area, where about 30 mummified bodies of Jesuit order members – ČLENOVÉ ŘÁDU JEZUITŮ – lie.
Zbiroh chateau – ZÁMEK ZBIROH – represents the development of the aristocratic residence in Bohemia from fortified castle to chateau, the need for security being replaced by the wish to display. It was founded in the late 12th century. Zbiroh castle is undoubtedly one of the most significant historical complexes in the country. It dominates the landscape near the main road from Prague, through Pilsen to Germany.
