The Pilsner Urquell brewery is undoubtedly the heart and soul of Pilsen. It was here in 1842 that Bavarian brewer Josef Groll created the world's first Pilsner-type pale lager, which revolutionized world brewing and gave birth to the world's most popular beer style. A tour of the brewery is a journey through the history, tradition and modernity of Czech brewing.

The Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour begins with the impressive courtyard, where a guide introduces guests to the secrets of the production of this legendary beverage. The tour then takes you through historical and modern parts of the plant, showing the evolution of the brewing process over nearly two centuries. Particularly fascinating are the underground corridors, where unpasteurized beer is matured in oak barrels according to the traditional recipe. It is here, in the cool cellars, that you can taste unfiltered Pilsner straight from the barrel - an experience that remains in your memory for a long time.

An interesting fact is that the brewery has its own water sources, a key ingredient that contributes to the beer's unique flavor. Pilsen water is characterized by its unique softness, which, combined with local Žatec hops, creates the unique character of Pilsner. During the tour, you can also see the huge copper vats where the brewing takes place and the modern bottling lines that fill thousands of bottles with golden liquor every day.

For those who want to dive even deeper into the history of brewing, the Brewery Museum, located in a historic building on Veleslavínova Street, is a must-see. The museum is housed in an authentic medieval brewing house from the 15th century, where beer was brewed for centuries. The exhibition presents the history of brewing from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a rich collection of historical tools, barrels, bottles and labels.

In the museum you can see what beer production looked like before the era of industrialization, learn about ancient methods of malting barley, brewing and fermentation techniques. Of particular interest is the reconstruction of a medieval malting and brewing plant, which allows you to imagine what the work of brewers looked like several hundred years ago. The museum also takes a closer look at the cultural and social aspects of brewing in the Czech Republic, where beer has been an important part of national identity for centuries.

Náměstí Republiky, or Republic Square, is the beating heart of historic Pilsen. This spacious square, surrounded by colorful Renaissance and Baroque-style townhouses, is a testament to the city's rich history dating back to the 13th century, when Pilsen was founded by King Wenceslas II. The centerpiece of the square are three modern golden fountains, which contrast intriguingly with the historic buildings, symbolizing the fusion of tradition and modernity so characteristic of modern Pilsen.

On the square, the attention is drawn to the Renaissance Town Hall, whose construction began between 1554 and 1559 according to a design by Italian architect Giovanni de Statia. It is one of the first Renaissance-style buildings in the Czech Republic, making it a unique architectural monument. The facade of the town hall is decorated with sgraffiti depicting scenes from the city's history and allegories of civic virtues. In the past, the town hall was not only the seat of the city government, but also the commercial and social center of Pilsen.

The dominant feature of the square and the entire city is the monumental St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, a Gothic gem whose construction began in the 13th century and was not completed until the 16th century. This impressive temple impresses not only by its size, but especially by its soaring tower, which rises to a height of 102.6 meters, making it the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic. From its top there is a breathtaking view of the entire city and its surroundings.

The interior of the cathedral hides many valuable works of sacred art. Particularly noteworthy are the Late Gothic altars, Baroque confessionals and the famous Pilsen Madonna, a stone sculpture from around 1390, considered one of the most beautiful examples of the fine style in Czech Gothic art. The Madonna is depicted as a young woman with delicate features, holding the infant Jesus in her arms. Legend has it that the statue has miraculous properties and for centuries it was a pilgrimage destination for believers from all over Bohemia.

An interesting fact about the cathedral is that during World War II its stained glass windows were dismantled and hidden, so they survived the bombing of the city. After the war, they were carefully restored and returned to their place, where they still impress today with their intense colors and masterful workmanship.

Surrounding the Republic Square are many charming cafes and restaurants where you can relax after sightseeing and enjoy local specialties. Especially recommended are traditional Czech dumplings, beef goulash or fried cheese - all accompanied, of course, by freshly brewed Pilsner. On warm days, the market is bustling with activity - there are concerts, festivals and fairs that attract locals and tourists alike.

Also worth noting are Pilsen's distinctive gold rings embedded in the pavement of the market square. According to local legend, whoever stands on them and makes a wish can count on its fulfillment - provided they keep it a secret. This is one of those small local customs that add to the city's unique character and make a visit to Pilsen not only a history lesson, but also an unforgettable cultural experience.

The historic underground of Pilsen is a fascinating labyrinth of corridors, cellars and wells, stretching some 20 kilometers under the old town. This vast network of underground passageways was created between the 14th and 19th centuries and served residents as food storage, shelter during wars and a sewage system. Today it is one of the city's most intriguing tourist attractions, allowing you to literally descend into the history of Pilsen.

The underground tour begins at Veleslavínova Street, where the entrance to this mysterious world is located. Visitors descend several meters below the surface to find themselves in a network of corridors carved into the rock. The temperature in the underground remains constant at around 10 degrees Celsius year-round, which in the past was ideal for storing food, especially beer from local breweries.

During the tour, visitors can see reconstructions of medieval craft workshops, warehouses and living quarters, which give a glimpse into the daily life of Pilsen's former inhabitants. Of particular interest are the medieval wells, some reaching depths of more than 20 meters, which for centuries provided the city with access to clean water. One legend has it that the underground hid Hussite treasure, which is still waiting to be discovered.

In the underground, you can also learn about the darker pages of the city's history - see the prison cells and places where the sick were isolated during epidemics. The guides tell fascinating stories about life underground during times of wars and sieges, when the underground became a refuge for entire families. Some say that in the deepest corridors you can still hear echoes of the former inhabitants....

After exploring the historic underground, take a trip to a completely different world by visiting the Techmania Science Center, a state-of-the-art science center that was built on the site of the former Škoda plant. This interactive educational facility is a true paradise for science and technology lovers of all ages.

Techmania offers more than 500 interactive exhibits divided into thematic exhibitions that present the laws of physics, chemistry, biology and other fields of science in an accessible way. Here you can conduct experiments with your own hands, control robots, learn the secrets of the human body or the principles of operation of various machines and devices. Particularly popular is the exhibition devoted to the history of industry in Pilsen, with a special focus on the Škoda plant, which for decades was a symbol of Czech technical thought.

One of Techmania's biggest attractions is a planetarium with a dome 14 meters in diameter, equipped with a state-of-the-art projection system that allows virtual travel through the cosmos. Planetarium séances are an unforgettable experience for both children and adults, allowing them to be transported for a moment to distant corners of the universe.

The center also offers special laboratories where more advanced scientific experiments can be conducted under the guidance of experts. Workshops, demonstrations and lectures are regularly organized, attracting science lovers from all over the Czech Republic and abroad.

By juxtaposing the historic underground with the modern science center, Pilsen shows its two faces - a city with a rich history that at the same time looks boldly into the future. This duality is characteristic of modern Pilsen, which on the one hand cherishes its brewing and historical heritage, and on the other develops as a center of modern industry and science.

A visit to these two such different yet complementary places allows one to fully understand the spirit of the city, which for centuries has been able to combine tradition and innovation. It is this ability to adapt and develop while respecting the past that makes Pilsen such a fascinating destination for modern tourists.