A hydraulic press has a press stand; a generally horizontal press plate vertically movably supported in the press stand and arranged for executing forward and return strokes; and a plurality of hydraulic press cylinder units mounted in the press stand above the press plate. Each press cylinder unit has a power cylinder and a plunger slidably received in the power cylinder and extending from the power cylinder to the press plate. There are further provided a plurality of hydrostatic bearings mounted on the press plate; and a chamber defined with each hydrostatic bearing and containing hydraulic fluid. The lower terminus of the plunger projects into the chamber. The hydrostatic bearings constitute a force-transmitting arrangement between the plungers and the press plate and permit a tilting motion of the plungers relative to the press plate. Guide assemblies are mounted at the end of each power cylinder for sealingly and tiltably guiding the plunger.