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PLZEN (Pilsen, pop.
173,000) - the main city of West Bohemia is situated on the
confluence of the rivers Mže, Radbuza, Uhlava and Uslava. It
was founded in 1295. The town expanded greatly in the 19th century
when most of its coal-mining and engineering works were established.
Plzeń is well-known mainly for its KODA Engineering Works, for
the Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Prazdroj) and Gambrinus Brewery.
It is one of the country's busiest railway junctions, second
only to Prague.
The city centre has several valuable landmarks. The 14th-century
St.Bartholomew Church, unusually located in the middle of the
main square, has the highest church spire in the Czech Republic
(103 m). The 16th-century Town Hall, beautiful palaces, old
town houses and a Franciscan monastery are also worth visiting.
Other sights include the West Bohemian Museum, Museum of Beer-Brewing
and J.K.Tyl Theatre. The typical restaurant located at the entrance
to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery is most recommended.
KARLOVY VARY (Carlsbad,
pop. 55,700) - Karlovy Vary is the biggest and best-known Czech
spa. It was founded by King and Emperor Charles IV in the mid-l4th
century. The spa has some 60 springs, 12 of which are utilized
for balneological purposes. Diseases of the liver, gall-bladder
and stomach, as well as intestinal and metabolic disorders are
treated here.
This fashionable health resort is also attractive due to its
historic architecture, beautiful colonnades and sanatoria. Most
of its houses were built in the Empire style in the 19th century.
The spa has hosted many famous visitors throughout the centuries,
including Tsar Peter I, writers Kafka, Schiller and Goethe,
as well as composers Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Dvofák and others.
The town saw the first European performance of AntonIn Dvofák's
Symphony from the New World in 1894. Famous visitors are commemorated
by numerous statues and plaques. Traffic is excluded from the
spa quarter.
The town's theatre, galleries and casinos offer a busy cultural
and social life, including music and film festivals. There is
an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and 120 km of hiking trails.
Karlovy Vary is also well-known for its glass and china production.
Moreover, for almost two centuries, the town has enjoyed fame
as the producer of the Karlovarska Becherovka liqueur, the popular
Mattoni mineral water and the original Karlovy Vary wafers.
MARIANSKE LAZNE
(Marienbad, pop. 15,500) - Mariánské Láznč is Czech Republic's
second biggest spa town. It has 40 healing springs effective
in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract,
the respiratory tract, nervous disorders and diseases of the
motor organs. It is a lovely resort located in a valley surrounded
by forests. Mariánské Lázné has numerous l9 buildings, large
parks, well-marked paths to the nearby forests and lakes, and
perhaps the best 18- hole golf course in the country.
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Affy
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Republic
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