Prague has a quaint and timeless feel owing to fairytale stone and brick buildings, a medieval and picturesque bridge, and one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world. Modern art such as the butterflies and baby sculptures by Czech artist David Černý and the active renovation of old buildings keep the city from feeling stuck in the past.
One of the oldest Atronomical Clocks in the world
Although I love family traditions at home, traveling to the Czech Republic during the Thanksgiving holiday was a fun way to shake things up and to scratch my history itch. From sightseeing in Prague, to venturing to castles and churches in the countryside, we filled our cup with lots of colorful and extensive local history, an appreciation for the area’s enduring craftsmanship, and plenty of family time.
The city is extremely walkable with charming and functional cobblestone streets that are well-suited to colder climates as well as being easier to repair. We loved visiting the Christmas Markets, sampling plenty of gingerbread, and browsing the crystal that the Czech Republic is famous for crafting.
Getting around outside of Prague was easy, and we ventured to two castles. The first, Czesky Sternbeck, is a private residence that was open for a homespun tour. I was totally enamored by the tile fireplaces and by the vast antique armory. Hunting culture in the Czech countryside embodied both sport as well as necessity–people needed sustenance!
One of my favorite things that I learned during the tour was that a book was often given as a highly prized birthday gift. With the cost of a book being the equivalent to that of a house (!), these gifts were treasured offerings and became beloved additions to the castle library.
The second castle we visited, Hrad Hluboka, was bigger with stag heads flanking the entrance. Hunting gear, hunting prizes, and the family coat of arms were also featured prominently here and contributed to the grand atmosphere.
Hrad Hluboka
Collection of Antique Pipes
I believe that furniture can tell a story in a person’s history, and the beautiful heirloom pieces found in these castles underscored the fact that timeless pieces passed down over generations often trump what is new and shiny.
On Thanksgiving Day, we traveled to Kutna Hora and visited multiple churches including the famous Cemetery Church of All Saints, aka the Bone Church. Thousands of people who died during the Black Plague were buried in a mass grave, and artists were commissioned to arrange the bones in an artistic way while honoring the dead. The second church we visited was less macabre, and I was fortunate enough to gain access to the cathedral’s attic to see how the domes were designed and laid.
My favorite part of travel and learning local history is how it always encourages me to be curious and seek out even more information. Whether you can make it to the Czech Republic sometime soon or not, I’d recommend watching One Life and The Empress in order to learn more about this storied place’s historic past.
Cathedral Dome
Prague Streetview
St. Barbara’s Cathedral