Kutna Hora: how to get there and what to see?

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The cities of the Czech Republic have retained the spirit of history. In the south of this beautiful country you will find ancient cities with Gothic architectural diversity and originality. Every corner of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is filled with romanticism and modernism. One of these cities is Kutna Hora - a place of silver mines with a long history.

It is also called the Czech treasury. One of the most visited places in the world. It is always crowded here, crowds of bewitched tourists with open mouths, accompanied by a guide, rush from one object to another. In the Middle Ages, Kutná Hora (Czech Republic) was considered the second capital of this beautiful country in terms of beauty and we alth, and was also the center of the silver mining industry.

Today, the population has declined slightly and is no more than 20,000 people. The city has retained its original appearance to this day. Walking along the cobbled streets, where miners and kings used to walk, you will feel the atmosphere of antiquity and unique charm. Everything breathes herehistory.

Tourists come to the city to see the great sights and feel the spirit of the Middle Ages. What is the Kostnitsa (Kutná Hora) alone worth - a collection of human bones in the truest sense of the word. This unusual place is not for the faint of heart. It evokes completely different emotions in visitors. Today we will get acquainted with the main objects of the city in more detail.

City of Kutna Hora: how to get to your destination?

• By train: There are several train stations in the city. Trains run every hour. Travel time will be no more than an hour.
• Bus lines: there is a bus station in Prague called Florenc, from which comfortable buses leave regularly. The duration of the trip is 1.5 hours. Ticket price approximately CZK 58.
• By car: we leave Prague, turn east, move along highway 38 through the city of Kolin. Travel distance 60-80 km.

Historical background

Legend says that a monastery was located on the site of the city. One monk during work decided to take a break and dozed off. Either in a dream, or in reality, he saw silver sprouts, hence the name Kutna Hora appeared. In the Middle Ages, the city experienced a "silver rush", its mines supplied almost a third of this metal to Europe. This place was visited by real pirates and adventurers. Thanks to silver, the city became very rich and significant. The Church of St. Barbara was erected with the proceeds.

For young peopledormitories and schools were built - completely free. Many years have passed since that era, but this place still remains majestic and has universal value. Today it has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The whole earth is pitted with underground mines, where people flock from different parts of the globe. In summer, interesting and informative excursions to these historical places are held.

Historic Sites & Landmarks: Kutna Hora

The most eerie and at the same time bewitching is the Chapel of All Saints, or Ossuary. It is located in the picturesque place of Sedlec - a kilometer from the station on the very outskirts of the town. The interior of the ossuary is truly awesome, completely made of human bones. According to reliable data, 40 thousand remains were used for these purposes. Some refer to the chapel as the Church of Bones. Its construction dates back to the 14th century.

The history of this object is rather sad. In 1421 there was a fire here, and the entire adjacent territory of the Sedlec Monastery was badly damaged. Until the 18th century, no one was engaged in its restoration. In 1784, the we althy Schwarzenberg family bought the bone farm and decided to give the monastery a presentable appearance. The restoration was carried out by a talented woodworker who turned the chapel into a real work of art.

It took a long time. The main material was human remains, which the decorator first disinfected and then bleached with chlorineslaked lime. Under the influence of this solution, the bones became white. Having studied the material and appreciated the beauty and smooth lines of the ribs, the diminutiveness of the phalanges, he created the Schwarzenberg coat of arms. It turned out unusual and infernal.

Also, garlands, monstrances, candelabra and flowerpots were made from the remains. He also imprinted his autograph on the wall with the help of bones. Kostnitsa evokes strong emotions and feelings. Kutná Hora is proud of this creation and honors it. The first sensations among tourists are very powerful, one gets the impression that he found himself in an ominous place - with Satanists or in a tomb. There is not enough guide in a black cassock and lampshades covered with human skin - everything else is available. Visitors look with surprise at the immortal creation imitating a Gothic monastery.

Sacred place

The main attraction and architectural monument of the city is the Cathedral of St. Barbara (Kutná Hora). It is often compared to the Church of St. Vita. The interior of the temple is decorated in baroque and gothic styles. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes depicting mint workers and miners. The last update was carried out in the 20th century. The mesh vault, decorated with the coats of arms of the artisans' guilds, attracts attention.

Not far from the temple there is an observation deck with a panorama of the historic city. From here you can watch the 17th century Jesuit College. and the Church of St. Jacob. Simply put, there is something to admire. In summer, the Hradek mountain museum opens its doors to tourists, located in an ancient castle built on 15century.

The presented expositions and mechanisms are dedicated to the silver mining industry. Guided tours of the medieval mine are organized for guests. Tourists are required to wear helmets and are given special lamps to illuminate the path. A fascinating walk through the dungeon will leave a lasting impression.

Church monuments

In the city of Kutna Hora, there are many amazing holy places and buildings. These include the Church of the Mother of God, the Monastery of the Ursulines, the Church of the Holy Trinity (at the cemetery), the Church of St. John of Nepomuk and St. Nicholas, the Chapel of the Body of the Lord. When you get to holy places, you feel their power and strength.

Vlashsky yard

Today it is a museum with expositions of coinage and an instrument of torture. It dates back to the 7th century, previously there was a mint. The museum acquaints guests with the process of the emergence of the Prague penny and the forging of money. You can see ancient coins, admire the fountain and throw a coin into it. There is a legend: if you throw a coin over your shoulder and get on a tray, which is holding a statue of a miner, you will soon become a rich man.

St Wenceslas Chapel

A real masterpiece of Gothic art, decorated with valuable altars. In 1904, the famous and experienced craftsmen Maria and Frantisek Urbanov decorated the museum with their own hands. The collection of the chapel consists of various items made for the Kutnohora Town Hall. Special attention was given to the royal hall, decorated with historicalpaintings. Many secrets are hidden in the cathedral church, which have not lost their significance even today. An important component is powerful acoustics. Symbols and murals attach a person to the saint.

Hradek Museum

It is a wooden structure that used to be a defensive fortress. A major reconstruction began in the 14th century, in those days the building was decorated in the Gothic style, and the interior was in the Renaissance style. Periodically, the castle was passed from hand to hand. There was an oil shop, a pub, a bakery, a seminary, and even a police department. And only in the 20th century they made it a museum of silver. A tour of this place will tell you about the mining industry of the medieval town of Kutna Hora (the photo is presented in the article).

Czech Sternberg - Gothic castle

This building was founded many centuries ago, and the eight-pointed star depicted on the blue flag still towers over the fortress. This amazing place will introduce tourists to the history of the castle and the ancient family of the Sternberg family. The castle has a rich collection of paintings, family portraits, stucco and engravings from the 30-year war. There is also a collection of hunting trophies, historical weapons, antique furniture, glass, gold coins and porcelain.

Other items to view

If you are lucky enough to visit wonderful Prague, do not miss the opportunity to see the Stone Fountain with a house, the Baroque Plague Column, the Santurion House and the Archbishopric with real quotes from Cicero. Walk along the romantic Rutgardka Street and admire the unusual architecture of the mansions.

Walking slowly around the city of Kutná Hora and enjoying the atmosphere of the ancient era, do not forget to visit a cozy restaurant and try Czech beer and national dishes. In addition to the cultural and historical heritage, this place has many interesting places where you can go with children.

Prague is also famous for its interesting entertainment facilities. Kutna Hora is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the traditions of the locals and enjoy an exciting journey. If you come here in early June, you will get to the theatrical costume performance - Royal Silvering. You will get the maximum positive, see the knightly tournaments with your own eyes and visit the fair.

In the heat of the day, head to the Dvorce, a sports and recreation center with a volleyball court, grassy beach, tennis tables, a swimming pool and more. Walk with your children along the mirrored corridor of the Eiffel-like tower, which is located on the Petřín hill. Show your child the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony and take a photo with the guardsman.

Visit the toy museum (free for children) with exhibits from different eras. Another unforgettable place will be the zoo. We do not advise visiting Prague in winter, as most museums, castles and cathedrals are closed. In any case, the trip will give a firework of feelings and a lot of vivid impressions.