Kutna Hora is located in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, less than an hour's drive from Prague. The town developed and prospered in the 13th century thanks to an economic boom created by the nearby silver mines. Despite such good fortune, Kutna Hora has also experienced its share of tragedy over the centuries, from wars to plague. Today, Kutna Hora thrives on tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world who are drawn to its Gothic and Baroque architecture and macabre history.
Kutna Hora remains virtually unscarred by the communist-era buildings commonly found in Czech towns; nearly every corner contains an architectural, historical, or cultural treasure. Below are just a few highlights that visitors should be sure to check out.
Cathedral of St. Barbara
Kutna Hora's crown jewel is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Barbara. Construction on the cathedral took nearly 600 years to complete, beginning in 1388 but remaining unfinished until 1905. The cathedral's facade is jaw-dropping: its towering arches and dozens of ornate spires pierce the sky. Inside, the cathedral is just as impressive. Brilliant frescoes illustrate the town's rich history of mining and minting.
Plague Column
This towering obelisk at the center of Kutna Hora's medieval old town commemorates the victims of the plague that swept through the town in the 18th century. The work of Jesuit sculptor Frantisek Baugut, the column depicts images of miners and is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Stone Fountain
Built in 1495, the Stone Fountain is an elaborate tribute to water, a resource that was always lacking in the region and therefore required considerable efforts to pipe into the heart of Kutna Hora. The fountain is surrounded by traditional burgher houses.
Jesuit College
Next to the Cathedral of St. Barbara is the Baroque-style Jesuit College. The building was designed by Baroque architect Domenico Orsi in the 17th century, but the thirteen sculptures of Jesuit saints that decorate the outside of the college – St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Wenceslas, and others – are the work of Baugut, sculptor of the Plague Column.
Italian Court
Named for its original 14th century Florentine occupants, this former royal residence and mint is now home to a museum that showcases coins made here from the 1300s to the 1700s.
Czech Museum of Silver
The Czech Museum of Silver is located inside the 15th century castle Hradek. The museum is full of archaeological relics and documents from the town's mining and minting days. Visitors can take one of two tours. Tour I is dedicated to the geology, archeology, and development of Kutna Hora, while Tour II focuses on the medieval technology of mining and minting. Brave visitors can even descend nearly a thousand feet below ground to explore one of the mine shafts.
Sedlec Ossuary
The ossuary in nearby Sedlec is a leading attraction for tourists visiting this region of Bohemia. Although it may not look remarkable from the outside, the interior of the chapel is adorned with the bones of 14th-century plague victims. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 70,000 skeletons have been used to decorate the sanctuary. Tibia, fibula, and scapula make up chalices, candelabras, and an intricate coat of arms. A chandelier constructed from every bone in the human body hangs from the ceiling.
References:
Kutna Hora Information Web Site
To read more about day trips from Prague, see Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.
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