Czech Republic: Vincent Philavong (A New Experience)

November 17, 2025

A New Experience

A dimly lit hallway with a bright mural painted on the ceiling — Excursion to the Klementinum’s Baroque Library

Before coming to the Czech Republic, I wasn’t aware of the many architectural styles that existed in Prague. The city itself is a great place to admire and observe architecture. Here are some of my favorites.

This is Klementinum’s Baroque library. This excursion to this library felt like entering a new dimension of beauty. The ornate ceiling frescoes depict heavenly scenes with angels and clouds that seem to open up the sky above you. The curved balconies lined with ancient books, the globe displayed on the checkered floor, and the way light filters through. This space is pure Baroque drama and grandeur. The attention to detail in every carved column and painted surface shows the Baroque love for opulence and emotion.

Moving on to another one of Prague’s distinct buildings is the St. Vitus Cathedral. It is high up on a hill where you can see the breathtaking architecture of the building from almost anywhere along the Vltava River. This Gothic masterpiece dominates the Prague Castle Complex with its soaring spires and flying buttresses. The intricate stonework and pointed arches reaching toward the sky left me in awe. Gothic architecture is designed to feel mystical as it is deeply rooted in religious purposes. This Cathedral is one of many Gothic buildings in Prague, but it is one of my favorites due to the sheer size and detail of the building.

A tall cathedral looming against a bright blue sky. The cathedral is made of dark stone with multiple spires reaching toward the sky — Another class excursion to the St. Vitus Cathedral

Now, Prague has many beautiful buildings, not just a select few. Taking a boat ride on the Vltava River gave me the perfect perspective to appreciate Prague’s colorful revivalist buildings. These pastel-colored facades, ranging from pink, white, and yellow, line the riverbank like a painted postcard. Each building showcases different classical elements revived from earlier periods, with their symmetrical windows, decorative cornices, and elegant proportions. Seeing them all together from the water gave me a real sense of how Prague preserved its architectural heritage while adding its own character.

A panoramic shot of a line of colorful, multi-story buildings against a backdrop of a blue sky. The buildings have trees lined in front of them and are above a river walk below. — A Personal Tour of Prague on the Vltava River

These excursions through my classes and personal exploration have really expanded my understanding of these architectural styles. Seeing the Klementinum library, St. Vitus Cathedral, and riding a boat while learning about the city’s revivalist architectural history have all become memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Vincent Philavong

Major: Computer Sciences

Hometown: South Elgin, Illinois

Program: IFSA Tech Career Accelerator in Prague, Czech Republic