Learning About Prague’s History, Food, and Culture
Hello! My name is Erin, and I studied abroad in Prague for the fall semester of 2025. The decision to study abroad was one of the best I could have made, and I learned so much about the history and culture of the area, as well as about myself. While Prague is usually not the most popular destination for US students, it has so much to offer! I hope this blog will help you learn a bit more about a place I love so much and encourage you to visit if you ever get the chance.
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral: Iconic Symbols of Prague
I would be remiss if I did not start this blog with Prague Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Within the castle is the St. Vitus Cathedral, which began construction back in 1344, but was not fully completed until 1929. The church can be seen as a symbol of the long and rich history of Prague. The city (and castle itself) have seen many different rules and been influenced by each of them, including the notable Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
I was able to visit Prague Castle multiple times and appreciate its beauty and historical importance, as well as get this photo in front of the cathedral.
The National Museum: A Landmark Building
The Národní Muzeum (National Museum) is another iconic spot in Prague, sitting at the head of Wenceslas Square. While I lived in the city, I visited the museum and was fortunate enough to learn a lot about different aspects of worldwide history and history that is uniquely Czech. The museum showcased exhibits on prehistory, evolution, and minerals, as well as a special exhibition of the hominid fossils Lucy and Selam, which were on display together for the first time ever in Europe in partnership with the Ethiopian government.
The exterior of the Národní Muzeum (National Museum)
When it comes to specifically Czech history, the museum had much to offer. The Czech history exhibit told the story of the Czech lands from the 8th century until the First World War, detailing events in the medieval period, early modern period, and 19th century. My favorite exhibit in the museum, however, was the one highlighting the history of the 20th century. This exhibit details Czech history from the end of the First World War until the Czech accession to the European Union, focusing significantly on Czech politics. The exhibit has an impressive breadth of objects and scenes, including examples of a store from the first Czechoslovak republic, military uniforms from the First World War, and propaganda from the Communist period. But beyond this, I really enjoyed the connections I could make between the things I was learning in my classes and the history I saw in front of me.
Velvet Revolution Celebration: Joy in History
I was fortunate enough to attend the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day celebration with my Language, Culture, & Social Cognition class, where we could see the results of the Czech history that we had talked about play out in front of us. This trip was especially moving, as the week before our class watched a documentary detailing the events leading up to the revolution, focusing on the works of the resistance leader Václav Havel and the student leaders that started the march on Wenceslas Square that became the catalyst to regain freedom. It was amazing to see that college students just like us were the ones who helped lead this change. There were some somber notes while remembering all that was lost in the struggle, but overall, this was a very joyful day for all the Czechs who attended, and witnessing the normally stoic people expressing their love for their country was a moment I will not forget.
The celebration of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day on November 17th, which celebrates the Velvet Revolution when Czechoslovakia gained freedom from the Communist system.
Sapa Market: Vietnamese Culture & More
The Vietnamese population is actually the third largest minority group in Prague behind only the Slovaks and Ukrainians. This was certainly surprising to me when I first arrived, but I was able to learn more about why so many Viets immigrated to the city and how they have influenced the culture in my Czech Food, Brewing, and Culture class.
One of our field trips in this class was to Sapa, the Vietnamese market located on the outskirts of the city. This is where this pho is from, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had! Before visiting, we learned about the history of Sapa, and how it has roots in communist Prague, as the building was originally a meat packing plant that closed after the Velvet Revolution, and was developed into a market that is now a gateway between Asia and Western Europe and a hub for Vietnamese and other immigrant cultures in Prague.
This unassuming bowl of pho actually has deep meaning for many people from Prague.
Břevnov Brewery: A Look Inside Generations-Old Production
One of the other highlights from the Czech Food, Brewing, and Culture class was our visit to a local brewery. Beer is integral to Czech culture (enough to name part of the class after it)! The Břevnov Brewery is one of the oldest in Prague, with roots going back to 993 AD. When we visited we got to meet with one of the master brewers and hear about the complex brewing process the beverage undergoes, as well as tour the facility. The grounds themselves are beautiful, and my class saw our learning displayed in front of us, seeing how many people have devoted themselves to this history and cultural cornerstone.
Our class visit to the Břevnov Brewery