The Church of St. Bartholomew and the Great Synagogue

The dominant of the city of Plzeň is the spire of the Church of St. Bartholomew – the highest spire (103 m) in the Czech Republic. The pilgrims come here to visit the Madonna of Pilsen, the Gothic sculpture placed on the main altar. According to the legend, a blind man made this medieval work of so-called „beautiful style“. The legend says that the Virgin Mary asked him to make the sculpture and was guiding his hands during the work. Since she was content with the result, she gave him back his sight, so that he could see his beautiful work.

At the end of the 19th century the third biggest synagogue in Europe was built in Plzeň ( after the one in Jerusalem and Budapest) in the Moorish-Romanesque style. Recently the synagogue is used not only for the religious purposes, but it is also accessible to the public. Occasionally concerts and exhibitions take place here.