Pilsen’s underground is one of the most popular sites in the city. The nearly 20-kilometre labyrinth of corridors and cellars weaves through the heart of the city. The 800-metre tour of the underground acquaints visitors with the history and functions of the underground corridors, cellars and wells. The corridors served not only to store food, but – according to legend – also as escape routes if the town ever came under siege. It is said that one could take the corridors even as far as beyond the town ramparts. According to other legends, there are numerous treasures embedded in the walls of the mysterious cellars below some of the houses.
It is interesting to note that there is an unusually high number of underground wells. Several hundred have been found in a small area of the mediaeval town. As each house had several wells, it comes as little surprise that Pilsen’s burgers “grabbed” all the water resources. As a result, they had to build a water tower and water wheel. This pumped water from the functioning wells into the water tower, from where it travelled to the fountains on the main square. A replica of the original water wheel can be seen in the waterworks exhibit when you tour the Pilsen underground.
It is interesting to note that there is an unusually high number of underground wells. Several hundred have been found in a small area of the mediaeval town. As each house had several wells, it comes as little surprise that Pilsen’s burgers “grabbed” all the water resources. As a result, they had to build a water tower and water wheel. This pumped water from the functioning wells into the water tower, from where it travelled to the fountains on the main square. A replica of the original water wheel can be seen in the waterworks exhibit when you tour the Pilsen underground.
