Plzen Off The Beaten Path

Karlstejn is one of the most famous travel destinations in Czech Republic. Main landmark in village of Karlstejn is castle.

Gothic castle was built from 1348 till 1365 by Holy Roman emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. Actually the purpose of constructing this castle was safekeeping of royal treasures.

Castle is about 70 kilometers from Plzen, on the way to Prague. It is possible to reach it by train.

Spejbel and Hurvinek are an old man and his son made of wood. They are marionettes and quite famous in the Czech Republic. In Plzen, where their creator comes from, the two guys were given a little monument in 2003 - nothing too special, but if you know the figures you might want to see the monument.
However, my student Jitka told me an interesting story about the figures. Although Spejbel is the father of Hurvinek, he is "younger" than his son. This is due to the earlier creation of Hurvinek who was first an orphan and only later got a Daddy. Apparently, there are also a woman and her daughter (probably also older than her mother) who are in love with Spejbel respectively Hurvinek.

Confused? Well, me too. Guess I've gotta check the marionette play next time in Plzen!

...if you have an important exam to pass! At the back side of St. Bartholomew's church, there is a little luck-bringing device. You'll see people heading to an enclosure where they quickly touch a little angel. According to my host, this is supposed to bring luck. There are several angels on the fence of the enclosure, so don't choose the wrong one!
(Hint: It shouldn't be too hard finding the right angel - it's almost polished white by all those touching it!)

Dobriv is a small village in the Brdy region with well preserved folk architecture (timbered houses, barns). The biggest attraction is the water-powered ironworks (listed in UNESCO) with original machinery - hammers, scales...
This relic was first mentioned in records in 1505 and worked uniterruptedly until 1956. In the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) the forge also made cannon-balls and weapons.
Direction - Dobriv is located about 30 km west from Pilsen. From Pilsen take E50 to Prague, exit Rokycany, go to Mirosov and than to Dobriv.

15 km south-east from Pilsen in the woods is located hunting chateau Kozel. It is surrounded with lake (if you have a luck, you can see swans there) and beautifull english garden with lots of roses. The chateau riding school and chapel was built arround 1795.
After visiting the chateau you can play a round of mini-golf.

Hromnice are small town north 15 km from Pilsen. You can find here "red" lake or other name for is it "acid" lake. The color is dark, but not really red. Its low sulfuric acid water. This lake was created from an old vitriol mine.
You can take a nice walk around lake.

There are so plenty of great fassades in Plzen, that I could have posted here, but I have chosen this pic, as it is rather unique in its style and kind of ornaments.
This building is on main square, just behind the small cafe that is the only building
directely INSIDE the square, opposite of the church.

Watch out for this great building, built opposite of the library, next to this beautiful park.
In my opinion it has one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau-fassades in Plzen, and it has a great cafe inside - there are more pics of it under my Plzen-restaurant-tips !