Plzeňská

Náměstí Republiky, Plzeň

April 22nd, 2006 at 12:01 am (Plzeň, Náměstí Republiky)

Náměstí Republiky

In the middle of the historical centre of Plzeň is it’s main square, Náměstí Republiky (formerly known as Velké Náměstí).

I don’t know about your experiences with Plzeň, but mine started on Náměstí Republiky. I stayed at the Hotel Central and I first ventured out on foot onto Republican Square (Náměstí Republiky).

Those first steps were to be retraced many times but the sight that my eyes saw would be different at every visit. One vision, however, that will never be removed from my mind’s eye is the view looking from Bedřicha Smetany (is it an Ulice?) onto Náměstí Republiky.

Náměstí Republiky from Bedřicha Smetany

The above print hangs on the wall of my office - I’m looking at it now - and I wouldn’t replace it with a print, painting or photograph of any other view from any other town. Ever. It inspires me and that is reason enough to leave it hanging where it is.

There are many reasons for buying the print and I am pleased I took the initiative. However (isn’t there always a “however?”) I do wish I’d managed to reproduce the print in photographic form. I tried once in 1993 but with the absence of my print, I missed the line of fire.

Náměstí Republiky from Bedřicha Smetany 1993

Looking at my photograph now and comparing it with the print, I wonder if there wasn’t an element of artistic license in the latter - If I remember correctly, I couldn’t move far enough to the left in order to include the town hall in the shot… but I seem to have missed the perspective completely anyway. Never mind - at least I tried.

I did notice that the scaffolding wasn’t present on the print…

1950s Náměstí Republiky

Náměstí Republiky in the 1950s
Photograph © Copyright 1950s George Krejci

I wonder what’s going on in this photograph? My guess would be the May 1st celebrations.

Or was it Khrushchev’s visit? Given the numbers of people on the square, I can’t help thinking that there was a little more on offer than an annual festival…

khrushchev in Náměstí Republiky in the 1950s
Photograph provided by George Krejci

I don’t know the actual year of khrushchev’s visit to Plzeň, but I’d take a guess at 1956 or 1957. I would imagine he would have wanted to tour his area of control soon after taking or being given full control.

Czechoslovak Militia in Náměstí Republiky During Khrushchev’s address
Photograph provided by George Krejci

I wonder if Stalin’s statue was torn down before his visit or as a result of it?

Permalink Comments

Hotel Central (Hotel Ural) Plzeň

April 14th, 2006 at 12:08 pm (Plzeň, Náměstí Republiky, Hotels)

Hotel Central, Plzeň

Amongst the many changes to take place in Plzeň during the cold war years, none can be more lastingly obvious than the replacement of the old Hotel Central on Náměstí Republiky by the current buidling.

During the communist era, the Hotel Central was renamed the Hotel Ural but reverted to its original name in 1989.

Hotel Central 1962
Photo from the Plzeňská ekologická nadace (Pilsen Ecological Institute) web site

The above picture shows the original Hotel Central the architecture of which fits much better into its surroundings than the current structure (below) although I can’t help feeling that it was predated by something more fitting.

Hotel Central circa 2000
Copyright information unknown

The Hotel Central holds a special place in my heart as it provided me with a place to sleep during my first visit to Plzeň in 1991.

Hotel Central 1991 (The yellow car on the left was mine)
Photograph © Copyright 1993 Clive Porter

Due to its blatent ugliness and open representation of all that brings to mind an iron-curtain Czech architecture, the hotel doesn’t figure on many peoples holiday snaps. For this reason, finding photographs of the buidling is not an easy task.

Hotel Central 2005
from the Hotel Central Website

Despite its incongrous looks from the outside, the Hotel Central is a great place to stay and, since it’s refurbishment in the mid-90s, earns each of its four stars.

I am currently searching for more photographs both of the old and new buidlings and would be eternally grateful to anybody who is able to provide these. If you should have one or more photographs which you’d like to share, please leave a comment with your e-mail address (your e-mail address will not be visible on the internet).

Hotel Ural detail from an envelope
from a Hotel Ural Envelope 1980s

 

Hotel Central
náměstí Republiky 33
301 00 Plzeň
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 377 226 757, +420 844 116 666

Tags: Plzeň, Pilsen, hotel, hotel central, hotel ural, czech republic

Permalink Comments