Plzen - Culture

Plzen has traditionally been an industrial area. Today, however, it also attracts visitors from all around the globe. Every spring the cultural festival, Smetana's Days takes place here and draws a good gathering. There also is a notable film festival held here every fall. The summer Jazz Festival also has a good showing and brings together musicians and jazz lovers from all over Europe. Alternate years Plzen hosts a festival for young aspiring artists to accompany the festival of the radio plays called 'Prix Bohemia'. The best works are exhibited at the first Czech Gallery of Children's Creative Expression. This children's art gallery is of four galleries of this kind in Europe.

Besides annual or bi-annual cultural events, the Plzen showground is a place for regular commercial events. A well known one is a gastronomical exhibition called the 'EX Plzen' is followed by an international folklore festival. The folk and country music festival 'Porta' also is held at the amphitheatre in the suburb of Lochotin. , is very popular with the young audience. World famous puppets Spejbl and Hurvinek were born in Plzen. Each year there is a Puppet Show Festival held here to celebrate this art form and to honour their creator Josef Skupa who lived from1892 to 1957.

Two universities are located in the town of Plzen, the University of West Bohemia and the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. There also is a Conservatoire and many professional schools and colleges. The newly restored State Science Library has a superb collection of almost two million books.

For art lovers, there is the West Bohemian Gallery which is situated in the Gothic building of the Former Butcher Shops. It houses many past and present exhibitions. The West Bohemian Museum also holds many interesting artifacts. The Ethnographic Museum, also located in Plzen, exhibits items of the life and culture of people in the Western Bohemia region.

Getting around the Czech Republic is easy. You may want to travel by car or you can visit all of the major destinations with a rail pass. By taking a train, you avoid high gas prices as well as having to translate road signs and follow directions from one city to another.

We can offer vacation properties located close to the cultural activities. This makes it possible for you to enjoy all of the local festivals, art, museums and theatres while having all the comforts of “home.” Guests may enjoy the luxurious accommodation available in one of our beautiful houses, cabins, or apartments. Many of these rental accommodations include access to a sauna, jacuzzi, pool or hot tub. In many locations a maid service is also provided for a small additional fee.