Landmarks

The fertile river valleys attracted the first inhabitants to the Pilsen Region as early as the Neolithic period. Over thousands of years, the region has changed beyond recognition. Thriving towns gained royal privileges, hosted important personalities of their time, faced devastating war campaigns, and rose again to even greater prosperity.

Industrial Monuments

Historical Underground

Castles and Chateaus

Tips for trips

Pilsen Historical Underground

The Brewery Museum building is the starting point for a tour of the Pilsen Historical Underground, which has been built under the city centre since the 14th century and is one of the largest in the Czech Republic with a length of 20 km.

Underground World at the Pilsen ZOO

The unique exhibition was created under the Asian Garden, on the site of former military shelters of the German army. It offers a glimpse not only into deep history, but also a contemporary representation of underground spaces such as tunnels, caves, cellars, underground wells, tombs, canals and subterrain rivers.

Hromnice Lake

The Hromnice Lake natural monument near the village of Hromnice, north of Pilsen, will surprise you with its unusual reddish colour. Although it is a natural monument, it was artificially created as a remnant of a slate quarry.

The Hydroelectric Power Plant Čeňkova pila

A national technical monument in the middle of the Bohemian Forest countryside? This is the popular Hydroelectric Power Plant Čeňkova pila, whose well-preserved interior is accessible during guided tours. Be sure to drop in when you drive by.

The Tunnel under the Špičák Pass

Nobody who has at least once taken a train from Klatovy to Železná Ruda or Špičák (perhaps to go skiing) could avoid the visit to one of the most important technical monuments of the Pilsen Region.

The Vydra Hydroelectric Power Plant

A unique hydroelectric power plant was built under Černé jezero in the middle of the 20th century. You can learn about the history and present-day use of the Bohemian Forest water resources in the permanent exhibition Šumavská energie (The Energy of Bohemian Forest).

The First Bohemian Forest Hydroelectric Power Plant in Čachrov

How was the electrification of the Bohemian countryside done a hundred years ago? One would not guess that it all started thanks to a local parish priest and, at the same time, a member of the Provincial Diet, who initiated the establishment of the Economic Cooperative.

The Vchynice-Tetov Canal

Originally, the connection of the Vydra and the Křemelná, which bypasses the unnavigable part of the Vydra, was used to transport rough timber to the Čeňkova Pila sawmill and to other sawmills on the Otava River. Today, an educational trail has been built along the entire canal.

The Kaznějov Kaolin Quarry

Near Kaznějov, there is the largest and still operating kaolin quarry in Central Europe. Unfortunately, the mine is not open to the public, but the view of the mining pit from the road between Kaznějov and Mrtník is impressive.

Pňovany Railway Bridge

The Pňovany Bridge is only the third highest in the Czech Republic, but it is undoubtedly the most beautiful bridge in West Bohemia. Extensive reconstruction was completed in 2019 and thanks to it, pedestrians and cyclists can use the bridge, too.

The Hydroelectric Power Plant Černé jezero (Black Lake)

Who would expect that a small hydroelectric power plant has been built right next to Černé jezero (Black Lake)? This source of electricity can be found between Černé jezero and the Pod Černým jezerem water reservoir near the village of Hamry. Moreover, it is the first pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Bohemia.

The Mining Museum in Planá

Want to learn more about the history of ore mining? Today, the entire labyrinth of passages in the Mining Museum in Planá is open to the public, where you can see an exhibition on this interesting topic.

The Vejprnice Wooden Bridge

Only about 25 covered wooden footbridges or bridges have survived throughout Bohemia and Moravia. Almost all of them are important technical monuments and one such unique footbridge can be found in Vejprnice.

WW2 Fortifications

Manětín, Rabštejn, Trpísty or Merklín. Do you know what connects these towns and villages? Due to its location near the western border, the Plzeň Region became an important part of the Czechoslovak fortification system built in the eve of WW2.

The Rokycany Observatory

Do you like to observe the night sky and are you interested in looking at stars, planets or nebulae? The observatory in Rokycany will take you on a journey to other cosmic galaxies.