Click for a panoramic view of Pilsen's Republic Square (photo: www.virtualtravel.cz)

Each year, two European countries decide on one city which they will present to the world. For 2015, the two countries will be the Czech Republic and Belgium, represented by Pilsen and Mons, respectively.

The north Moravian town of Ostrava had been vying against Pilsen for the Czech nomination, but on September 8, the went for Pilsen, a choice that will still have to be officially ratified on the EU level.

Besides the famous Pilsner Urquell beer, Pilsen is also known for its industrial heritage such as the Škoda manufacturing giant. 

With 170,000 inhabitants, Pilsen is the second-largest city in Bohemia after Prague (and the fourth-largest in the Czech Republic after Prague, Brno, and Ostrava). Make sure to visit in 2015, when the city will be putting its best face forward with countless cultural events, exhibitions, fairs, music, art and more.

Pilsen is the unofficial capital of western Bohemia and an excellent starting point for exploring the region. For more information, check out our West Bohemia guide.