Plzeňské historické podzemí

Plzen's Historical Underground Passages - Pilsen Historical Underground Tour

Useful Information

Location:	In Plzeň. Brewery Museum cash desk.
Open:	FEB to MAR daily 10-17. APR to SEP daily 10-18. OCT to DEC daily 10-17. Last tour 1 h before closing. [2020]
Fee:	Adults CZK 60, Children (6-15) CZK 80, Children (3-5) free, Students CZK 80, Seniors (70+) CZK 80, Family (2+3) CZK 280. Groups: School Puoils CZK 50. [2020]
Classification:	Cellar Ice Cellars
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=17,000 m, T=6 °C.
Guided tours:	L=750 m, VR=12 m, D=60 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Plzeňské historické podzemí, Perlová 4-6, 30100 Plzeň, Tel: +420-377-225214. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

13th century	first cellars created.
19th century	last cellars created.

Description

The Pilsen Historical Underground is a series of underground cellars which were constructed since the 14th century. The cellars under the whole centre of the town Plzeň are up to three storeys deep and all together 17 km long. This makes them one of the most extensive cellar systems in central Europe. The tour shows only a small part, about 750 m of this system.

The tour starts in the ice cellar which was used to store ice in the winter. It was needed for cooling beer and many cellars actually belong to houses that enjoyed brewing rights. The ice was stored in the uppermost cellar and the melting water was dripping down to cool the cellars below.

The cellars once contained 360 wells, on the tour 20 of them can be seen. The water was important for daily life but obviously also for brewing beer. The historical water tower from the first half of the 16th century is an important technical monument. A pumping machine from the year 1847 was used to pump water up on the tower.

The underground system was also part of the town’s defence system. In times of war and unrest it served as secure storage for food, as a shelter for the citizens, and as secret communication line. The cellars and the water tower were part of the fortification system and linked to the system of ramparts.

The tickets are sold in the Brewery Museum, and include a beer voucher for 0.30 l of Pilsner Urquell beer. After the tour you can redeem your beer at the restaurants Na Spilce, U Salzmannů or Na Parkánu. (Only visitors aged 18 or over)