City history
Trace the development of Plzen, from its first documented appearance in 1265 through its rise as a central European industrial and brewing powerhouse.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Etymology is disputed; potentially related to local topography or early river-based settlement names."
The city's first official written mention appears in records dating to the mid-13th century.
Czech
The standard official name used in the Czech Republic.
German
A historical name commonly used during the Austro-Hungarian administration.
Chapter two
The adoption of Central European Time within the Austro-Hungarian Empire standardized time for the region.
Following World War II, Czechoslovakia implemented shifts in daylight saving time practices.
Chapter three
The city is first officially recorded in written historical documents.
The construction of the railway line connecting Plzen to Prague revolutionized local transport.
The establishment of the Pilsner Urquell brewery set a new global standard for brewing.
The expansion of the Skoda Works transformed the city into a major engineering center.