Kutná Hora is a town in the Central Bohemia region of the Czech Republic.
Kutná Hora was a silver mining town in medieval times: once the second Czech city to Prague in terms of population. Today it is home to about 21 000 people.
Although Kutná Hora has some comparatively drab modern architecture, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 for the Historical Town Centre, including the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec. At both ends of the town there are some beautiful buildings, and the higher points of the town are home to restored older architecture, with Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.
- Ossuary, Zamecka 127, +420 327 561 143. This impressive bone church, is better known as the Sedlec Ossuary. The beginning of its story date back to 1278, when Henry, the abbot of Sedlec was sent to the Holy Land. On returning, he brought soil from Golgotha and sprinkled it on the ground here. As a consequence, the burial ground was considered holy and became extremely popular. In 1511 a chapel was constructed to house the bones from abolished graves. The chapel is open to the public, and contains the bones of about 40,000 people, arranged by František Rint in 1870. Rint's work includes an enormous chandelier including every bone in the body, and a crucifix style arrangement near the main altar. The ossuary is open 8am - 6pm (April - September), 9am - 5pm (October, March) and 9am - 4pm (November - February). Closed on 24th December. It is no longer closed noon-1 pm during the off season, though the nearby information center is. Admission is 60 Kč adults and 40 Kč students, though combination packages can be purchased to see other attractions more cheaply. The fee to take photos and videos has either been ended or is now merely ignored.
- Church of St. Barbara. The works on the church started around 1380 by Peter Parler's workshop, whose other great work in the Czech Republic includes the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle. The eye-catching spires are truly magnificent. If you're looking for some fantastic Gothic Bohemian style, St. Barbara Church is certainly one of them alongside St. Vitus in Prague (although as you might see it soon after Prague, it might not make the same impression as seeing Vitus, which is even more grand).
- Cathedral of Assumption of our Lady and Saint John the Baptist.
- Italian Courtyard. A former royal mint and residence.
- Hrádek / Silver Mines. Tours of the accessible portions of the mines are provided daily, except for Mondays (usual closing day for sights in the Czech Republic). The mines are closed in winter (November–March).. Czech museum of silver. The tours through the mines, flooded in the Middle Ages, begin here.
- Torture Museum, Italian Court. A hilariously inauthentic "museum" filled with the most amazing Engrish in the Western hemisphere. Anyone who enjoys movies so bad they're great will be fully satisfied. 50 Kč.
Ossuary, Zamecka 127, +420 327 561 143. This impressive bone church, is better known as the Sedlec Ossuary. The beginning of its story date back to 1278, when Henry, the abbot of Sedlec was sent to the Holy Land. On returning, he brought soil from Golgotha and sprinkled it on the ground here. As a consequence, the burial ground was considered holy and became extremely popular. In 1511 a chapel was constructed to house the bones from abolished graves. The chapel is open to the public, and contains the bones of about 40,000 people, arranged by František Rint in 1870. Rint's work includes an enormous chandelier including every bone in the body, and a crucifix style arrangement near the main altar. The ossuary is open 8am - 6pm (April - September), 9am - 5pm (October, March) and 9am - 4pm (November - February). Closed on 24th December. It is no longer closed noon-1 pm during the off season, though the nearby information center is. Admission is 60 Kč adults and 40 Kč students, though combination packages can be purchased to see other attractions more cheaply. The fee to take photos and videos has either been ended or is now merely ignored.
Church of St. Barbara. The works on the church started around 1380 by Peter Parler's workshop, whose other great work in the [[Czech Republic]] includes the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle. The eye-catching spires are truly magnificent. If you're looking for some fantastic Gothic Bohemian style, St. Barbara Church is certainly one of them alongside St. Vitus in [[Prague]] (although as you might see it soon after Prague, it might not make the same impression as seeing Vitus, which is even more grand).
Cathedral of Assumption of our Lady and Saint John the Baptist.
Italian Courtyard. A former royal mint and residence.
Hrádek / Silver Mines. Tours of the accessible portions of the mines are provided daily, except for Mondays (usual closing day for sights in the Czech Republic). The mines are closed in winter (November–March).. Czech museum of silver. The tours through the mines, flooded in the Middle Ages, begin here.
Torture Museum, Italian Court. A hilariously inauthentic "museum" filled with the most amazing Engrish in the Western hemisphere. Anyone who enjoys movies so bad they're great will be fully satisfied. 50 Kč.
Generally, the staff in restaurants around St. Barbara's Cathedral are friendlier and (oddly) more professional than in Prague. There are a number of bars, restaurants and cafes just underneath the shadow of the cathedral. Some provide a breathtaking view of the valley to the south. The best experience I have had personally was at the restaurant U Hrnčiře (By the Jug Maker's). The food is excellent with traditional Czech dishes alongside a surprising array of vegetarian dishes. Another choice is Pizzeria Piazza Navona at Palackeho Square, which offers traditional (and original) Italian pizza and pasta and homemade tiramisù and panna-cota.
- V Ruthardce, Dačický us. 15, +420 739013510. Stylish and cozy restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine in a historical building.
V Ruthardce, Dačický us. 15, +420 739013510. Stylish and cozy restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine in a historical building.
In order to return to the train station you can:
- walk back to the station (about 3.5 km)
- get a cab
- take the bus number 1
- get the train from Kutná Hora Město to Kutná Hora Hlavní nádraží
Once you're back to the station, you can:
- Get the next train to Kolín and change for the train to Praha Hlavní Nádraží
- Wait for the direct service to Praha Hlavní Nádraží
Other options are:
- There are also bus service to and from Prague, but trains seemed to be pretty reliable and ran on time.
- You can also take a cab back to Prague, which would cost you around 1600 Kc.