The first thing that probably pops into your mind when someone mentions the Czech Republic is the world-famous city of Prague – one of the twenty most visited cities in the world thanks to its beauty and historical value. However, just 70km from Prague we have Kutná Hora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dozens of historical buildings.
One of the most iconic tourist attractions in this beautiful city is the mysterious Sedlec Ossuary, but what makes it so unique? And why do so many tourists visit it? Well, almost 40,000 were buried in the cemetery, later a Gothic church was built in the centre of the cemetery with a lower chapel that was used as an ossuary to protect the bones of taken from the cemetery, which was one of the region’s most popular places to be buried at the time.
In 1870, a local woodcarver, František Rint was hired to organise the bones interred in the ossuary, and he decided to use them to create elaborate macabre sculptures to adorn the chapel. Today, Sedlec Ossuary is famous for its extravagant artistic works including, a coat of arms, a chandelier, chalices, altarpieces, crosses and wall and ceiling decorations.
The city’s attractions today
The city itself is something of an experience for visitors as the historical town city offers visitors the chance to see history pass before their very eyes. Kutná Hora’s most popular tourist attractions include the Church of Our Lady, the impressive Gothic-style Church of St. Barbara and the Plague Column, a memorial to the more than 6000 victims killed by the plague in the city.
There’s the Jesuit College, now a museum and large art gallery, the Bohemian Museum of Silver – this metal was crucial for the city’s economic development for centuries – and the Gothic Stone Fountain, with drinkable water, in the historic centre.
Another of the city’s landmarks is the Italian Court, which was the Central Mint during the 13th century and today has an exhibition of old coins inside.
Kutná Hora in itself is a sight to behold, from the first moment you arrive, you’ll be gripped with a longing to discover every nook and cranny of the city.
So, on your next visit to the Czech capital make sure to visit the beautiful city of Kutná Hora and all its sights, try some authentic Czech food and buy some of the local Pinot Noir, Saint Laurent, Rivaner and Gewürztraminer wines to enjoy on the rest of your never to be forgotten trip.
