Pilsen (Plzeň) is a city in western Bohemia, in the southwestern part of the Czech Republic. After Prague, Brno, and Ostrava, it is the 4th largest city in the Czech Republic.
Pilsen is one of the few Czech cities with English names different from the original. This small group includes Prague (Praha) and Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary). In English, the name Pilsen is used interchangeably with Plzeň, as it is in the case of Karlovy Vary/Carlsbad. Prague, on the other hand, goes in English usually only by its non-Czech name.
The English name of Plzeň is identical to the German name of the city. An English name different from the native one may be regarded as a sign of the importance of that city. Minor cities usually do not have such names. And even many major cities do not have distinct names in English, especially when the native name is easily pronounceable by English speakers.
The best things to do in Pilsen include:
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery
- Brewery Museum
- Pilsen Historical Underground
- Museum of West Bohemia
- Techmania Science Centre
- Cathedral of St. Bartholomew
- Renaissance Town Hall
- Great Synagogue
- Pilsen Zoo
- St. Mary's Plague Column
- Republic Square
- Puppet Museum
- J. K. Tyl Theatre
More information is available here.
