Cultural Kilometers – Young Travelling Scholarship

Bamberg

Kick-off in Bamberg

We are starting our journey in Bamberg, the Franconian Rome and home of smoked beer. The both of us came to Bamberg to study and chose this beautiful city in part because of the reputation that precedes it. The City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and OWHC-Member, because its historic city center has been perfectly preserved since the Middle Ages, showcasing a unique blend of medieval and baroque architecture. The town’s layout and buildings reflect how a European city developed over centuries without losing its original charm.

What makes it so special for us is not just the heritage and architecture, but the atmosphere: lively and welcoming, yet cozy enough to feel like home. It’s the kind of place where you can study and live — all while knowing that many people travel here just to experience a fraction of what’s right outside your door. Just the feeling of taking a refreshing dip in the Hainbad — the beloved river swimming area in the Regnitz — between summer lectures or after work gives you the carefree sensation of being on vacation.

We are already excited about the other World Heritage sites we will get to discover on our journey.

Next stop: Prague.

Kutná Hora

1 day ago

The medieval, historic town centre of Kutná Hora as a testament of it’s silver mining past, the Church of St Barbara and the Church of Our Lady at Sedlec are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a little over an hour’s drive from Prague, this picturesque town is, for us, the first proof that it’s worth exploring places off the beaten path.

We arrived from Prague in the morning and first explored the streets of Kutná Hora on our own. Perched on the slope of a hill, the impressive St. Barbara’s Cathedral stands as a venerable monument of Gothic architecture and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Unfortunately, the funds ran out before its completion, so it was left only about half finished. Nevertheless, it remains a truly magnificent sight. Afterwards, we met Kristýna and her colleague Michaela. Their department is responsible for tourism and external relations. They gave us a presentation about their work with UNESCO, highlighting the 30th anniversary celebrations of Kutná Hora’s World Heritage status.

One of the main challenges they face is that most visitors only stay for a single day. They would love to see more tourists spend the night, as Kutná Hora has so much more to offer than just a day trip. Many travelers, ourselves included, tend to underestimate how much time is needed to truly experience the town. There are many more places worth visiting—such as the GASK gallery, the famous Bone Church and charming little coffee shops.

Many thanks to Kristýna and Michaela for their time and warm welcome.

In the afternoon, we departed for Třebíč.

(Note: The Sedlec Church lies lower than the current street level, which is why part of the building is now obscured by the road.)

Třebíč

2 days ago

Třebíč, a charming town in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic, is a remarkable place where Christian and Jewish cultures have coexisted for centuries. Its Jewish Quarter, the nearby cemetery, and the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St. Procopius together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their exceptional testimony to peaceful coexistence between different faiths and cultures in Central Europe.

We followed the Jewish Heritage Trail through the historic quarter and visited the old Jewish cemetery, a peaceful place with a wonderful view over the town. Along the way, we passed several landmarks such as the round bastion Hrádek, Charles Square, and the striking Black House, its façade covered with fascinating historic graffiti. Each corner of the town seemed to tell its own story.

We ended our visit in the surrounding countryside, climbing to the local observation tower for a panoramic view of Třebíč and its picturesque landscape — a serene and fitting conclusion to a day filled with history, culture, and quiet reflection.

Side quests

On our way to Bratislava, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site — the iconic Villa Tugendhat in Brno. With its clear lines, open spaces, and modernist elegance, the villa stands as a masterpiece of functionalist architecture designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich.

Another World Heritage “side quest” awaited us further along our route: the Lednice Palace, a complete contrast to the minimalist Villa Tugendhat. Transformed in the 19th century into a romantic Neo-Gothic residence, the palace is surrounded by an expansive landscaped park. As we walked through the grounds, we discovered charming surprises such as Roman-style aqueduct, an artificial ruin, and even a minaret rising above the trees.

This delightful encounter with nature and architecture offered a refreshing interlude before we immersed ourselves once again in the vibrant city life.

Next stop is Bratislava.

Prague

2 days ago

The city of many towers and ice-cream-colored houses

Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because its historic center has been remarkably preserved, with a stunning mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The city reflects more than a thousand years of cultural and architectural development, from Prague Castle and Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square, making it one of Europe’s most beautiful and historically significant urban landscapes.

We weren’t only impressed by this part of Prague — we were just as captivated by the breathtaking views from other districts, such as the National Monument at Vítkov, Vyšehrad, and Riegrovy Sady, where the gaze is always drawn back toward the historic heart of the city.

As we wandered through the streets without any real plan, we were fascinated by the variety of façades: from painted walls, stucco details, glass and metal elements to the countless shades of color — from woodruff green, mint, and pistachio to cappuccino brown, strawberry pink, mango yellow, and apricot orange.

Next stop: Kuntá Hora.