Pilsen - West Region

Landscape to the West of Pilsen still partially bears evidence of its industrial past. Gently rolling agriculturally managed landscape alternates with wooded areas of the Mže and Radbuza river valleys. Hracholusky reservoir is a favourite recreational area of this part of the Pilsen region.

Towns and Villages

Dobřany

Municipal Heritage Preservation Area
The first record dates back to 1243. The square is lined with houses of Baroque and Neo Classicist origin among which the Baroque building of the deanery (No. 3) excels. Further monuments: the Baroque church of St. Nicholas from the 17th century and the church of St. Vitus (built by J. Auguston) and the medieval stone bridge.
www.dobrany.cz

Stod

The first record dates back to 1235. Post office built in 1747 (one of the oldest in Bohemia, the Russian army leader A. V. Suvorov spent a night here in 1799). Baroque town hall built by Jiří Müller from Mühlemtal. Three-aisled church of St. Mary Magdalene built in the Empire style dominates the town. In the park - Grove of the Martyrs – memorial to the 241 victims of the death march from April 1945.
www.mestostod.cz

Castles and chateaux

The Buben Castle ruins.

The ruins of a Gothic castle founded in 1333. Preserved parts of the palace and walls. 15 km (9.3 miles) from Pilsen. Freely accessible.

Gutštejn

An impressive ruin of a Gothic castle Gutštejn is located above the Hadovka brook in Úterý Nature Park. To get to the castle, follow the red tourist sign from the Strahov train station for about 3 km (1, 86 miles). The impressive ruin of the castle is a frequent and favourite tourist destination.

Ecclesiastical monuments

Kladruby Monastery (National cultural monument)

Founded in 1115 by King Vladislav I., between 1712 and 1726 converted by Johann Blasisus Santini Aichl into the so called Czech Baroque-Gothic style. Interior decorations of the church by J. B. Santini Aichl, M. B. Braun a C. D. Asam. Building of a new convent according to the project by K. I. Dientzenhofer in 1770.
http://kladruby.euweb.cz

Chotěšov Convent

Originally a Premonstrate convent founded around 1202, rebuilt in mid-eighteenth century by J. Auguston. Frescoes by F. J. Lux. Expositions of the history of the convent and the village. Gothic cellars. Baroque church of the Virgin Mary's Birth with a dome and a 14th century lantern, rebuilt between 1745 and 1747. Interior frescoes by F. J. Lux from 1746. Gothic Madonna from the beginning of the 15th century on the altar. Rococo pulpit and font. Baroque replica of a Gothic tomb of abbess Vojslava. Pilgrimage shrine of the Elevation of the Holy Cross on Křížový vrch (Cross Hill).
www.klasterchotesov.eu

Natural Landmarks

Hracholusky Reservoir (470 ha/ 1161 acres)

Dam reservoir on the Mže river, 22 km (13,6 miles) long, with the maximum depth of 31,4 m (103 feet), built in 1964. A major recreational centre in the vicinity of Pilsen.
www.hracholusky.cz