This week we went on a trip through Bohemia. Bohemia is the western half of the Czech Republic, while Moravia is the eastern half. We visited three towns during this trip: Litomysl, Kutna Hora, and Cesky Krumlov. Our first stop on this trip was Litomysl. Litomysl was a very quaint little town. It has historically been a place centered around education, which is still true today. Because of this they have many schools, including a small university, which is surprising considering the small size of the town. The university only has one faculty, which is restoration. The town itself has been undergoing restoration. The town is working to preserve its history, but it is also a rather modern town. It has a good mix of old and new. We were able to visit the Renaissance castle of the town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a beautiful church.

                 Our second stop was Kutna Hora. On our way into town, we stopped at the Kutna Hora ossuary, or bone church. It was a small church, not one of the more beautiful or impressive ones we have seen by any means, but what made it interesting is that the bottom section of the church is decorated with human bones. We also visited the Church of St. Barbara, and the silver mines. The silver mines were an interesting experience. They warned us not to go if we were claustrophobic, but I think we all underestimated just how tight of a fit it would be. I really enjoyed it; it felt more like a real mining experience. However, I could have done without some of the giant spiders that we saw. In the middle of the mine we stopped and turned off all our lamps, and were able to experience total darkness. You could not see your hand in front of your face, and no matter how long you are down there, your eyes will never adjust. There is simply no light at all.

                Our final stop was Cesky Krumlov. We had heard from multiple people that this town was one of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic. The town is like something you would expect to see in a fairytale. It is so peaceful and quaint. However, it is a rather obvious tourist trap, so things were a little more expensive than we have been used to.  We were able to visit the castle, the theater, and the gardens. We were also able to go on a raft ride down the Vltava River. It took us longer than expected, and we were wet and cold by the end, but it was one of my favorite things about the trip. I have always loved rafting and hiking, so whenever we get the chance to do those things here it brightens my day.

                I was really glad that we had the chance to see more of the country that has been our home for the last three months. The Czech Republic is not really the first place most would think of when thinking about travelling, but it has a lot of great places to visit and things to offer. I think that seeing more of the Czech Republic was a great way to end our trip, and I hope to come back here someday.

The bone church in Kutna Hora.

St. Barbara's church in Kutan Hora/

Cesky Krumlov

The gardens in Cesky Krumlov