There Is A Tiny European Village Hiding In The Middle Of The Countryside In Minnesota
By Trent Jonas|Published July 01, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
With a deep Czech heritage going back to its 19th century founding, the charming town of New Prague at times feels like a European village in Minnesota. Come along as we take a closer look at this close-knit community in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
When you roll into the town of New Prague (population 8,000-plus) from the east, you can’t help but notice that it’s a little different from other small towns in southern Minnesota.
At the time the city was founded in the 1850s, Prague was the capital of Bohemia, and the town’s founders identified largely as Bohemian.
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Although some of New Prague’s historic business district is similar to those you’d see in other Minnesota towns, a closer look reveals elements that are a bit more European - offer hints to the town’s heritage.
Take the historic former Hotel Broz, for example. Now an event center, the hotel was originally built in 1898 by Wenceslaus Broz, a Bohemian immigrant.
Bearing the same name as the medieval cathedral in Prague, this church, with its gothic-looking towers, was founded in 1856 - the same year as the town - and would blend right into any village on the Czech countryside.
You can taste the town’s Old World roots at Lau’s Czech bakery.
The town celebrates its heritage in many ways, but the annual Dožínky Festival may be the biggest. The festival showcases much of the charm this town has to offer.
In fact, New Prague has been ranked one of the best towns in Minnesota, according to the HomeiA YouTube channel. Take a look!
A visit to New Prague should definitely be on your Minnesota bucket list! Check out the Dožínky Festival’s Facebook page for event dates and updates. Make a weekend of it with a stay at one of the local hotels – in fact, you could make a road trip out of New Prague and New Ulm, a Minnesota town with German roots that’s often named one of the “most European” in the United States.
Have you visited New Prague? Tell us about your experience in the comments! What are some other Minnesota towns with strong ties to their founders’ homelands?
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