Plzeň - Plzen (English spelling)

Pilsen is the central city of the western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. German name is Pilsen. Population 166,274 (2001). Located at the confluence of the Muse, Radobza, Uhlava, and Uslava rivers in the Pilsen Basin, it is an important point for rail and road transport. It was granted urban privileges in 1295, and was the base of the Hussite movement in the first half of the 15th century, but later became a center of Catholicism. It developed rapidly in the second half of the 15th century, and the first Czech book, the Trojan Chronicle, was printed there. It was damaged during the Thirty Years' War, but in the 19th century, it developed again as an industrial city, taking advantage of its location in the Pilsen Basin, which is rich in coal and iron ore. In addition to heavy machinery production at the Skoda factory, known for weapons manufacturing, and beer brewing at Pilsen Beer, industries such as mining, electricity, paper, and leather are also thriving. Historical buildings remain, such as the late Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral with a 102-meter tower, and the Renaissance town hall, and there is also a beer museum.

[Mizuho Nakata]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

チェコ、ボヘミア地方西部の中心都市。ドイツ語名ピルゼンPilsen。人口16万6274（2001）。プルゼニ盆地のムゼ川、ラドブザ川、ウーフラバ川、ウースラバ川の合流点にあり、鉄道、道路交通の要所。1295年に都市の特権を認められ、15世紀前半にはフス運動の根拠地であったが、その後カトリックの中心地となった。15世紀後半に急速に発展を遂げ、最初のチェコ語の本『トロヤン年代記』が印刷された。三十年戦争で被害を受けたが、19世紀に石炭と鉄鉱石の豊富なプルゼニ盆地という立地を生かし、工業都市としてふたたび発展した。兵器製造で知られたシュコダ工場の重機械生産、ピルゼン・ビールのビール醸造のほか、鉱山、電気、製紙、皮革などの工業も盛んである。102メートルの塔をもつ後期ゴシック様式の聖バルソロミュー大聖堂、ルネサンス様式の市庁舎などの歴史的建造物が残され、また、ビール博物館などもある。

［中田瑞穂］

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