Plzeň ( Lager in German) is the capital of the Région of Plzeň in Czech Republic. The city is located at the confluence of four rivers: Úhlava, Úslava, Radbuza and Mže.

History

The first mentions of Plzeň (corresponding to the current Plzeň old man) goes back to year 976. This year the prince Boleslav II of Bohemia overcame the army of the German king Otton II of the Holy roman Empire.

In 1295 the Czech king Venceslas II creates new Plzeň, corresponding to the current city. Its strategic position on sea route between Prague and Bavaria enables him to thrive quickly. It is at the time the third city of the country after Prague and Kutná Hora.

In 1599, Prague becomes the main city of the Empire for 9 months. Rodolphe II of the Holy roman Empire had then flees the plague of Prague to settle in Plzeň.

In 1618, Bataille of Lager takes place.

After the War Thirty Year old, Plzeň knows one period of decline.

With the XIX° century, she knows a rapid population growth and industrial. At this point in time two establishments are founded which made Plzeň famous in the whole world:

  • the factory of mechanical engineering Škoda.

  • the Brewery Pilsner Urquell (in Czech: Plzeňský prazdroj ) which since 1842 produces celebrates it Pilsner Urquell. Thanks to this brewery the city is known for its production of Bière.

Besides Plzeň gave thus its name to beers known as “Pils” (also called Pilsener , Pilsen or Pilsner ) May 6th, 1945, Plzeň is released by IIIeme armed American, led by the Patton general. According to an agreement americano-sovetic, the general did not have any more the right to advance and release Prague and even had to evacuate the city later a few days. A building in the honor of the Americans commemorates this release.

Plzeň also fits in the history of the combat against Communism. June 1st, 1953, Plzeň is the theater of the first mass demonstration against the Communism of all the Soviet block.

Nowadays, Plzeň remains a center Industrie L, commercial, cultural and administrative important. Several students are registered at the University of Bohemia of the West, whose buildings are dispersed in several buildings of the city.

Historical buildings

The place and the streets near the city form a Gothic architectural center which is classified among the reserves of Historic building (Tchéquie).

On the place

  • the Cathedral St-Barthelemy , cultural monument, is undoubtedly the most remarkable monument of the city. Its construction began shortly after the foundation of the city. Its tower of 102,6 meters is highest of Czech Republic. It is today about a cathedral, because the bubble of the Pope of the year 1993 arranged Plzeň among the episcopal cities. On her central furnace bridge the Virgin of Plzeň is, works dominant of the style known as of the " beautiful holy vierges" Czech Gothic art. Its second tower, shot down by the lightning in 1525, rebuilt forever.
  • the town hall Rebirth , decorated with sgraffites dark, built according to the plans of the Italian architect Giovanni de Statia in the years 1554 - 1559. In the back part of the big room of the town hall a plastic model of the historical center of the city is.
  • the column of the plague of 1681 is located between the town hall and the cathedral. It is crowned of a gilded Madonna.
  • the archidiaconat is the building the oldest baroque of the city (1710).
  • the many residences rebirth and baroque.

Near the place

  • the undergrounds of the city were formed since the Middle Ages by the transition curve of cellars from two to three floors. The labyrinth complexes corridors, cellars and well forms part, from its extent superior with 20 kilometers, of vastest of Central Europe. Its depth is from 8 to 12 meters.
  • the large Synagog , third larger synagog in the world, goes back to 1893. This majestic building built in a style Moor and novel with his interiors of a great interest is used today as exposure and concert hall.
  • the monastery franciscain , one of the oldest buildings of the city, has a Gothic interior and a frontage baroque.

In the Kopecký park

  • the building of representation of the theater Josef Kajetan Tyl was built in the years 1899 - 1902 in a style Néorenaissance with elements of Art nouveau, by architect A. Balšánek.
  • the municipal house " Beseda" go back to 1901 and decorates the park of Kopecký. It contains today a coffee, a ballroom and a cinema. It is characteristic of the Art nouveau.
  • the building néorenaissance of the Museum of Western Bohemia of the beginning of the 20th century, constitutes one of dominant architectural of the city. Restored in 2000, it presents a collection of weapons going up to the 14th century and the specific exposures.

More far from the center

  • the central station , of style art nouveau.
  • the monument with the Americans , celebrating the Lager release by the Americans.

Transport

The first tram appears in the streets pilsenoises in 1899. The inventor František Křižík partipe largely with its creation. The network slowly developed. In the years 1960-1980, the network becomes great extensive by connecting the new suburbs to the center town. Since, there no was major change.

The trolley bus takes up duty, in 1941, thinking the second world war. The layout was then in the Dobrouvka district. After the war, the network extends again. In 1970, the drunk lines of trolley are cancelled in the districts Košutka and Bolevec, because of the extension of the tram lines. Put aside, a small prolongation in the districts of Bory and Doudlevce, the network remains about unchanged.

Famous hosts

  • Vaclav Koranda, priest hussite radical of Plzeň, left its city for Tabor.
  • Jan Žižka often tried, and without success, to take the city militarily.
  • Rodolphe II of the Holy roman Empire often remained in Plzeň. From 1599 to 1600, he flees the plague reigning in Prague and lived in Plzeň, in the building adjoining with the current town hall.
  • Albrecht von Wallenstein remained in the city from December 10th, 1633 to February 22nd, 1634. It left it for Cheb, where it was assassinated on February 25th, 1634.

Famous characters born in Plzeň

  • Josef Mandl, painter

  • František Krásný, architect
  • Vojtěch Šíp, sculptor
  • Matouš Mandl, Man of law and burgomaster
  • kardinál Beran
  • Jindřich Plachta, Actor
  • Josef Skupa, author
  • Jiří Trnka, scenario writer of animation, born in Plzeň in 1912
  • Miroslav Horníček, actor
  • Karel Janovický, type-setter
  • Miroslav Zikmund, traveller and writer
  • Jiří Suchý, Man of theater, poet and musician
  • Karel Gott, celebrates it Czech singer
  • Jana Preissová, actress
  • Martin Straka, hockey player
  • Kateřina Kůrková, bronze medal with the Olympic Games
  • Petr Čech, goalkeeper of Chelsea and the Czech national team
  • Marie Rosůlková, actress
  • František Kreuzmann, actor
  • František Kovářík, actor

External bonds

  • Plzeň - Czech.cz, the official Web site of the Czech Republic

Twinnings

Sport

Be-X-old: Пльзень

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