When the Prague to Warsaw train passes through Olomouc about mid-way through its journey, few travellers bother to crane their necks for a view of the town's leafy streets & gothic spires. "Fewer get off the train to check out this Czech town with a name that looks as foreign to our eyes as the cheese is to our nostrils." As I wandered Olomouc's cobblestone streets, passing by imposing Baroque churches & the 18th century palaces that now occupy the 400-year-old Palacky University, I remembered something I'd heard about the city after the Swedes ended their 8 year occupation of Olomouc in 1650 & moved on to other spoils in Europe... [ Next: Page 3 ]

The town was in such disrepair that the ruling Austrian authorities considered completely wiping it from
existence.  Thank Thor they didn't.  As I turned a corner, confronted with a choice of winding downhill alleys
intermittently covered by high arches & flanked by black street lamps bolted to 18th century burgher houses, I
found it impossible to not draw comparisons between this city of 100,000 & Prague's Mala Strana district.

Written By: David Farley of New York City, NY  |  Location: Olomouc, Czech Republic  |  Photographs By: GEOhype, Alaska
Photographed while on assignment for StudentTraveler Magazine  |  Web Site: www.PHOTOhype.com