We arrived in Kutná Hora on a hot Sunday, eager to take in our first impressions of the city.
On our first day at school, we were given a tour of the beautifully historic monastery, had an inspiring music lesson about the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, and enjoyed a few exciting laps at a nearby go-kart track. Tuesday began with a warm welcome from Janessa, an English teaching assistant from California. She introduced herself and hosted a fun game of Jeopardy! in groups. Group 4 came out on top, showing the most knowledge about the Czech Republic, Germany, and geography. Later, we visited an art gallery, where we discussed a work of art and then created our own using stencils, patterns, and our silhouettes. We ended the day at the impressive Gothic St. Barbara’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, some students went swimming while others met up to relax and have fun. On Wednesday, we visited the famous ossuary (Beinhaus), known for its bone chandelier and other eerie sculptures. We took a scenic countryside walk and explored the historic silver mines with a guided tour. To wrap up the day, we attended the spring concert at the Církevní Gymnázium and joined in the school’s lively garden party. On our final day, we took the train to Prague, where we visited St. Vitus Cathedral, walked across Charles Bridge, and explored the vibrant city center. With many fond memories and new experiences, we returned home to Leipzig.
(Manja Teich)
