Prasily: Poledník

Few settlements in the Plzeň Region have a history as closely tied to the restricted frontier of the Iron Curtain as Prášily. The village stands in Šumava National Park, a high forest and peatland area near the German border. Prášilské Lake, one of Šumava’s glacial lakes, sits among spruce-covered slopes above the settlement, while the former military radar tower on Poledník now serves as a lookout. For decades after the Second World War, Prášily lay inside a military training area and close to the sealed border; that isolation left a lasting mark on its development. Today, marked walking and cycling routes make it a useful base for exploring the national park. Find related webcams in the surrounding Šumava mountains to build a fuller picture of the Plzeň Region.

The river valleys of western Bohemia define much of Plzeň Region, supporting agriculture, linking historic towns and carrying the Mže, Radbuza, Úhlava and Úslava toward Plzeň. In the city, the Mže and Radbuza form the Berounka, while wooded highlands extend west toward the Bohemian Forest and south toward Šumava. Plzeň is the regional centre and the home of Pilsner Urquell: the beer was first brewed here in 1842 and gave its name to the pilsner style. Its centre is marked by the Gothic Cathedral of St Bartholomew and the Great Synagogue. Beyond the city, smaller towns, castles and rural roads give the region a distinct western-Bohemian character. Find related webcams in the surrounding area to build a fuller picture of Plzeň Region.

The terrain of Czechia ranges from fertile lowlands in southern Moravia to mountain ridges along the northern frontier, giving this Central European country a distinctly varied geography. The Vltava runs through Prague before joining the Elbe, while the Krkonoše form part of the border with Poland and include Sněžka, Czechia’s highest mountain. Prague’s historic centre, with Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, reflects the city’s long role as a political and cultural centre. Beyond the capital, Bohemia is known for spa towns and brewing, and Moravia for wine-growing traditions. View additional webcams nearby to better understand how Czechia relates to its Central European surroundings.