The best city hikes and walks in Southwest

A place of pilgrimage for a large part of the city's visitors, one gets the impression. But Pilsen has more to offer...

You can stroll wonderfully along the old town wall on the banks of the Malše (Maltsch).

The founding of the Dominican monastery with its still-preserved Gothic cloister is inextricably linked with the founding of the city. Like the city, the monastery was founded by the Bohemian King Přemysl Otakar II. Since the city was founded in 1265, the monastery must have been established a few years earlier. The monastery, which - as was customary at the time - was part of the city fortifications, was managed by the Dominican Order from the outset. In 1785, it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II and taken over by the Piarists, who founded a college and a Latin school there. In 1885, the Piarists were replaced by the Redemptorists. The Neo-Gothic reconstruction dates from their time. The monastery buildings were abandoned in 1949. Today, the former monastery is used by the elementary school for art.

At the confluence of the Malše and the Vltava lies the four-star hotel "Budweis". There are 59 double rooms and one suite available for overnight stays. In the 14th century, the city's first mill stood at this location. Its successor building from 1872, the new mill (Přední mlýn), became the basis of today's hotel. During the socialist era, the mill, which closed in 1926, had served as a warehouse for household goods. The conversion into the "Budweis" hotel took place in 2009.

The Church of the Presentation of Mary on Piaristenplatz is – together with the former Dominican monastery to which it belonged – the oldest building in České Budějovice. The foundation stone was laid in 1265, the year the city was founded. The Gothic church is considered the city's most valuable historical and artistic monument and one of the most important monuments in South Bohemia. The oldest part of the church, the presbytery, was completed in 1274, while the basic structure was not finished until around 1300. Later, the three-nave church was extended and partially rebuilt, especially in the 14th, 17th, and 19th centuries. The church's exterior facade has, despite numerous renovations of the church, monastery buildings, and cloister, retained its early Gothic appearance. The early Gothic elements have also been largely preserved inside, interrupted only by smaller Baroque additions in the western part.

A very beautiful art gallery where you can buy works by Czech artists. I was here by chance and was very friendly received by the employee. Before I could look around, she explained everything to me in detail and gave me a few brochures. A visit is worthwhile, because the ambiance is also very beautiful.

The Church of Our Lady before Týn is one of Prague's most distinctive landmarks and, with its two unequal towers, immediately shapes the image of the Old Town Square. Even from the outside, it appears monumental and mysterious, almost a little awe-inspiring – a structure that radiates history without being intrusive. Inside, the church surprises with a calm, solemn atmosphere that forms a clear contrast to the lively hustle and bustle outside. High vaults, baroque altars, and subdued light create a space that invites contemplation. It is particularly impressive how the long history of the place is reflected in the details, without the overall impression seeming heavy or oppressive. The Church of Our Lady before Týn is not a place for rushing. It unfolds its effect best when you take your time, let your gaze wander, and allow the special atmosphere to sink in. As a cultural and historical highlight, it is one of the churches that give Prague its unmistakable character – impressive, dignified, and leaving a lasting memory.

The Dominican Monastery with the adjoining Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (cz. kostel Obětování Panny Marie) is one of the oldest monuments in Budweis.