Today was the final day of our study abroad program, and we ended it with a beautiful view of Karlštejn Castle and a wonderful dinner cruise. The hike up to the castle took about 30-45 minutes, which further showed how castles were strategically positioned high above towns so they could see as much of the surrounding area as possible. During the tour, we got to explore some of the residential areas and even the room of the king, specifically Charles IV’s bedroom and eating area. Walking through the castle made it easier to understand both the importance of defense in medieval society and the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into these structures. One detail that stood out to me was the inclusion of bathrooms on the roof so guards would not have to leave their posts for long periods of time. Some of the walls were also four meters thick, which helped make Karlštejn one of the few castles that was never successfully overtaken.
The dinner cruise on the Vltava River tied the entire trip together, as we were able to see many of the locations and structures we had learned so much about throughout the program. It also gave us one last opportunity to spend time together as a group and enjoy everything about Prague. Tomorrow we will be flying back home, so stay tuned for my return to Pittsburgh!
Swanson School of Engineering 