At Plasy Monastery, a special visitor tour focuses on the historic water system. This offers an unusual way to explore a complex that underwent a major Baroque transformation between 1661 and 1785. In Plzeň-North District, you will encounter other cultural monuments, park landscapes, lakes and cycling routes, each with a different focus.

Monasteries, Cultural Heritage and Architecture

Plasy Monastery is a national cultural monument and has been awarded the European Heritage Label. In addition to its long period of Baroque remodelling, its historic water system offers a special reason to explore the complex. The Centre for Architectural Heritage in Plasy focuses on the history of building techniques and materials. The Museum and Gallery of the Plzeň North Region presents exhibitions on the region’s history.

Mariánská Týnice was a pilgrimage site and a Cistercian provostry associated with Plasy Monastery. The complex has been listed among the national cultural monuments of the Czech Republic since 2018. It was built to plans by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. The pilgrimage church has a Greek-cross floor plan and is crowned by a central dome. Here, you can encounter both the history of the former pilgrimage site and a striking architectural form.

Manětín Castle and its park are also designated as a national cultural monument. The park is laid out in the English landscape style; its features include a pond, a hermitage and a pavilion. This combination sets it apart from the architectural focus of Mariánská Týnice and Plasy: here, the landscaped park is also part of the cultural experience.

Forests, Parks and Lakes

The Manětínská Nature Park is mostly covered by a continuous woodland of native tree species, with a valuable herb layer. Several hiking and cycling trails pass through the nature park. For a different landscape experience, consider Odlezelské Lake: it can be reached by car or on foot from nearby Odlezly. There is a viewpoint at Hromnické Lake about 100 metres away; you can also walk around the lake.

The Pňovany Bridge also combines historical information with a practical option for getting around: completed in 1901, it can be crossed on foot or by bicycle. If you are planning a trip, check for notices of possible temporary closures.

Cycling Routes with Different Profiles

Three Baroque cycling loops start in Plasy. The Baroque routes in the wider northern Pilsen area vary in difficulty and use marked cycling routes maintained by the Club of Czech Tourists, identified by the West Bohemian Baroque logo. Ten Baroque rest stops in the northern Pilsen region offer views of significant monuments. These routes therefore put both the route itself and views of the cultural heritage at the heart of the experience.

The Baroko I route passes the Baroque farmsteads of Kalec and Sechutice; Mariánská Týnice is considered the highlight of the route. Baroko III passes through Baroque avenues and wild forests, including a stretch to Kaceřov. The routes have different emphases: historic farmsteads, a prominent pilgrimage complex, or avenues and forests.

Another option is the 49.4-kilometre Postřelím cycling tour, suitable for trekking or mountain bikes. It starts at Žihle railway station on the Plzeň–Žatec rail corridor. Along the route, Rabštejn is characterised by a castle, a chateau, wooden houses, an inn and a church. By contrast, the Baroque routes vary in difficulty and cultural stops; for the Postřelím tour, the specific points of reference are its distance and recommended bike types.

Boat Trips and Water Sports at the Hracholusky Reservoir

Boat excursions are available at the Hracholusky Reservoir. Services departing from the Transkemp Hracholusky landing stage stop at several points around the reservoir. They operate seasonally and may change. Water skiing is also available at the reservoir seasonally; availability may vary. Check current sailing times and water-skiing options before making plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zihle, Pnovany-Rajov, Hromnice, Kozolupy, Nová Jezná, Pernarec, Bdeneves, Pnovany, Ulice, Manetin, Nečtiny, Třemošná, Hracholusky, Kožlany, Bezvěrov, Plasy, Bílov, Chříč, Dolní Bělá, Druztová, Heřmanova Huť, Horní Bříza, Kaznějov, Líšťany, Krsy, Křelovice, Ledce, Kozojedy, Líně, Nýřany, Studená, Tlučná, Úněšov, Úterý, Vejprnice, Všehrdy, Zbůch, Zruč-Senec, Tis U Blatna, Přehýšov, Blažim, Bohy, Brodeslavy, Mladotice, Černíkovice, Čerňovice, Česká Bříza, Dobříč, Dolní Hradiště, Dražeň, Výrov, Hlince, Hněvnice, Hvozd, Holovousy, Horní Bělá, Zahrádka, Chotíkov, Kaceřov, Kbelany, Koryta, Krašovice, Ostrov U Bezdružic, Štichovice, Kunějovice, Město Touškov, Nekmíř, Líté, Lochousice, Loza, Mrtník, Myslinka, Nadryby, Nevřeň, Velečín, Pastuchovice, Plešnice, Potvorov, Příšov, Rochlov, Sedlec, Žilov, Tatiná, Trnová, Úherce, Újezd Nade Mží, Vochov, Vysoká Libyně, Lipno, Kralovice, Blatnice, Obora.

For the broader travel overview: Pilsen.