This summer a group of La Lumiere students traveled to Prague to learn about Central European culture and the history of the region. It was the second annual trip to Prague led by La Lumiere teachers Clint and Lenka Tallman. Lenka is a native of the Czeck Republic and a wonderful ambassador for Prague. Prague is the largest city of the Czech Republic and one of the largest cities of Central Europe serving as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries.
During the trip, the students were asked to reflect on their experiences by writing journal entries. Some of the highlights of the trip were the Terezin Concentration Camp, Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora, the village of Cesky Krumlov, and of course the incredible majesty of Prague’s Old Town. These are a few of the students’ thoughts on the trip.
Megan Jelinek of Flossmoor, IL on the day spent at Terezin Concentration Camp:
Today we visited a concentration camp near Prague. Being there was a scary and sad experience. I truly felt the struggles of the people imprisoned there. Seeing the camp was so surreal and heartbreaking. It’s hard to imagine what those people went through.
Noah Fontaine of La Porte on the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora:
Today we went to the Sedlec Ossuary, a small Catholic chapel located beneath the Cemetery Church of all Saint in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutna Hora. The Ossuary is decorated with human bones, including a chandelier made of bones that is said to contain at least one of every bone in the human body. The chapel contains the bones of between 40,000 and 70,000 people and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Czech Republic.
Channing Scott of Granger on the village of Cesky Krumlov:
Today we traveled to Cesky Krumlov, a town outside of Prague. We took a tram, a train, and a bus to get there. It is a little town full of surprises. The scenery of Cesky Krumlov is one you might find in a movie. There is a beautiful castle on a rock formation with a river winding around the whole town. The castle has an amazing garden that creates a maze.
Rachel Yemc of Long Beach on Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral:
Today we explored St. Vitus Cathedral. In order to get there, we had to climb up what seemed like a million stairs. Even though we were breathless from our uphill journey, we were still able to revel in the cathedral’s beautiful architecture and exquisite details. It’s hard to believe that something that extravagant was built so long ago.
Bella Schuster of La Porte on the Charles Bridge at night:
We went to the Charles Bridge and Old Town to see the city at night. Prague is a different place at night; it is a city that never sleeps. It felt like a dream and was a wonderful European experience!
The trip was a wonderful way for the students to broaden their understanding of another culture and to experience the beauty of the one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world.