Pilsen

The Czech Republic, and especially Pilsen, is known for the beer from Pilsner Urquell, but the city and the surrounding region boast several other, rather smaller breweries that are well worth a visit. Have a look, or tasting, around and take home some of your favourites: Purkmistr Selská náves 21/2, Pilsen +420 37 799 4311 www.purkmistr.cz/en/brewery U Pašáka Poděbradova 12, Pilsen +420 37 794 6012 pivopasak@seznam.cz www.pivopasak.cz Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-11pm. Sat 11am-11pm Beer Factory Dominikánská 8, Pilsen +420 37 942 2526 www.beerfactoryplzen.cz Opening hourse: Mon-Thu 11am-12am. Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Sun 11am-11pm

This Gothic cathedral on the Republic Square creates a dominant feature not only for the square and the historical centre but also for the city's whole silhouette. Its majestic interior is definitely worth a visit, as on the main altar, the world-wide known Pilsen Madonna – the most famous work of the Czech Gothic style– can be admired, while on the rear side outside the cathedral, one of the small metal-forged angels will let your wishes, with a touch, become true. You can also visit the tower, the highest one in the Czech Republic, that features wonderful views over the surrounding region.

These unique architectonic gems were created by the world-famous architect Adolf Loos in the early 20th century, and while they include eight apartment interiors that were occupied by rich investors of the Jewish community, four of them are open for the public: the Apartment of the Kraus Family (10 Bendova Street), the Apartment of Doctor Vogl (12 Klatovska Street), the Brummel House (58 Husova Street) and the Semler House (110 Klatovska Street, under construction until 2021). Apart from experiencing the extraordinary first-republic design, a guided tour provides an interesting insight into the Jewish community's life and fate, as each of the interiors hides its own story of fate, and these stories simultaneously illustrate historic events of WW II, and consequently of the Communist regime as well.

This synagogue is the largest in synagogue in the Czech Republic, the second largest in Europe, and the fourth largest in the whole wide world, and during your visit in this city, you should not miss it out. While providing evidence of the city's Jewish community before the World War II, and its complete destruction in the Holocaust, it also hosts – after its reconstruction, and thanks to amazing acoustic properties – regular concerts.

This memorial is the only museum in the Czech Republic dedicated to the US Army, reminding of the unforgettable happenings at the end of WW II. As exhibiting more than 1500 items about the liberation of Pilsen by the allied armies, with showing personal objects of soldiers, parts of armaments, sanitary material and equipment for sports, the local stay of American soldiers from May to November 1945 and the period of the post-war reconciliation are displayed most detailed.

While meeting Spejbl and his son Hurvínek, two traditional puppet characters originating in town, you will here find a great number of marionettes and puppet theatres that map the long tradition of puppetry in Pilsen. Go ahead and try to play theatre yourself, with some of the puppets that you will probably know at least by sight (or name, or both).

Hidden in the courtyard nearby Smetana's Parks, the oldest Jewish sight in the city of Pilsen regained its lost splendour after recent reconstruction, but as situated in one of the internal blocks near the city centre, it cannot be missed. While an exhibition displays the history of Jewish people in the Pilsen region, with traditions and daily habits, the architecture itself is well worth a visit.

The zoo is the perfect place for a family trip, as you will here find more than 1,300 animal species in an attractive hilly area with small lakes and ponds as well as arboretum and rocks. A pair of Indian rhinoceros and Rothschild´s giraffes are considered to be one of its biggest stars, but you will meet an open-space outdoor ground for monkeys and the second largest bear garden in Europe. The botanical part of this venue, with a meditation Japanese garden, invites you to relax after experiencing the wildlife, and for catching breath again.