During our time in between our Goethe classes we traveled as a group to five different places in Europe. In three of those cities, Vienna, Prague, and Dresden, we were free to explore a topic on our own. Below is my travel summary:

 

Schloss Schönbrunn, Wien [ the Beautiful Spring Palace, Vienna]

The palace held great importance during the times of royalty throughout Austria. The last Austrian Emperor and the last ruler of the Holy Roman Empire lived at Schönbrunn. The building was also the meeting place of John F. Kennedy and his Russian contact during his presidency. The surrounding gardens, fountains, labyrinth and grounds are all apart of the encompassing palace grounds. In addition, the oldest claimed zoo in the world is at Schönbrunn as well as the best panoramic view of Vienna atop of the Gloriette in the gardens.

 

Universitat Carolina, Praha [ Charles University, Prague]

 

Among one of the most famous and oldest universities in the world Charles University belongs to the city of Prague. The Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who was a very influential in shaping Prague, created the university as a full university of its time. This means that it contained all four modern schools, or faculties, of higher education of those times, among them: theology.

 

Frauenkirshe, Dresden [ Church of our Lady, Dresden]

The church was built in the 18^th century and was originally Catholic. However, the church became Protestant during the Reformation. Although the church was destroyed during the bombings of World War II it was completely rebuilt by 2005 after the reunification of Germany. Now the church serves as a symbol of forgiveness between the enemies of the war.