Memories from trip to Karlštejn Castle and "Little America" Quarry

Despite the chilly and misty weather, we enjoyed a fantastic day out with our international colleagues from UCT Prague (VŠCHT). Our trip took us to the iconic medieval Karlštejn Castle, where we joined a guided tour and learned about its rich history.
Afterwards, we set off on a hike through the forest to the nearby Malá Amerika (Little America) — an impressive abandoned limestone quarry. The quarry is partly flooded today, with a deep lake at its bottom, giving the place an almost mystical atmosphere in the cloudy weather.

Along the way, we talked about the purpose of limestone mining in this area and its importance for industry.
We also took a moment to remember the darker history of the 20th century, when political prisoners were forced to work in these quarries under extremely harsh conditions.

We returned to Prague by train in the late afternoon, pleasantly tired after an 11‑km walk, but full of great experiences and shared memories.