In the eastern part of Bohemia, an hour from Prague by car is a small town Kutna Hora, rich in history and many attractions. There are 316 of them officially registered. Many of the sites are on the UNESCO heritage list and are protected by this world organization.
Kutná Hora began its long history in 1142, when silver ores were discovered. It was originally the site of a small village. But after the discovery of the richest silver deposits and the development of the mine, the villages began to unite. Thus Kutna Hora emerged, which during the Silver Rush rivaled Prague on an equal footing.
During the period of silver mining, the small settlement grew rapidly rich and grew into a town. It was a glorious time when the city was developing, building various magnificent temples, houses, castles, chapels and cathedrals. But in the 16th century, after the exhausting Hussite wars and the depletion of the mine wealth, Kutná Hora gradually fell into decline. But the magnificent medieval buildings of Kutna Hora are well preserved to this day. In the center in the Old Town there are constant tours that reveal its former splendor and grandeur.
The main attractions of the city of Kutna Hora
The first famous landmark that appeared in the territory of the modern city was the monastery of the Cistercian order of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, built in the Gothic style. It is located in Sedlec. The year 1300 is generally accepted as the year of its construction. The outside of the building is austere and simple, with no towers. But inside the cathedral is striking in its rich decoration.
The world-famous Kostnica is located in the area of Sedlice. Originally it was an ordinary church, consisting of 2 chapels, around which there was a cemetery. The church stood on a mountain, from the height of which the surrounding land was clearly visible.
Over a century and a half the cemetery has grown enormous in size, and there are almost no places to bury people. The owners of the land found an original solution – to collect old bones and store them in a small chapel. But then someone came up with the idea of inviting cabinetmaker František Rint to organize the bones piled up in a huge pile at the time. He decorated the church with the “masterpieces” that have been “adorning” the tomb for centuries.
Many are horrified by such exhibits of the church, while many are delighted. This church is unlike any other church in the world.
The famous Vlašsky Court dates back to the times of the “silver” power of the city, when this building was erected to mint its own coins and store the jewels, and craftsmen from Italy were invited. They gave the mint the name Vlas (Italian). But royalty often stayed here, and a royal palace was built next to the first castle. Adjoining them was Gradek, a castle of a wealthy family. It looked like a small fortress. Together all the structures formed a small courtyard inside, which the rich nobles liked so much. They liked to walk in the quiet courtyard during their stay in the Vlašský dvůr or Gradek.
There is now a silver museum and the mine where it was mined.
The most majestic place in Kutna Hora is St. Barbara’s Cathedral. Originally there was a small chapel here, and in 1388 the construction of the famous temple began. But this process took a long time. And the cathedral, being built in honor of the saints, was not completed until the mid-16th century. But it was still a long time before it was completed and its territory was being fitted out. It is located on a low mountain outside of Sedlitz. St. Barbara’s Cathedral was built with money from the citizens of Kutna Hora. It was originally conceived as a temple equal to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. And in the end the idea was a success. We see the beautiful and majestic cathedral, which has become the most famous attraction in Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic, its photos can be seen in all tourist guides. This place was and is one of the pride of the townspeople who built the cathedral.
The Church of Our Lady and St. John in Kutna Hora is astonishing in its grandeur. It was built in a Gothic austere style. There are many consecrated cultures of saints inside. During the Hussite Wars, the Church of the Saints was completely destroyed, but was rebuilt in the 18th century. Legend has it that a monk was on his way to Prague and lay down to rest. And in his dream he dreamt of a rich church, the construction of which was started in this very spot. It is located in Sedlica. This is one of the areas of the Czech city.
The pearl of the city is considered to be the Church of St. Jan Nepomutskov. It was built by the great architects Kanka and Dinzenhofer in the 18th century. The altar was decorated in 1754 by the famous sculptor Platzer, then living in Prague. This structure was named its patron saint from the first day the stone was laid. It has been reconstructed and is now one of the places in the city where many concerts are held.
The famous Stone House in Kutna Hora was built in the pre-Hussite era on the mountain. The house has a small chapel where the owner and his family, who lived in the 15-16th centuries, offered their prayers. Now it is a monument to the history of Kutna Hora, where guided tours are offered.
The stone fountain is another of the city’s majestic landmarks. It represents a large well, which the citizens of Kutná Hora used back in the 19th century. It was created for miners of silver. They needed large quantities of water, which was in short supply in a city standing on a mountain.
The main religion in the Czech Republic is Catholicism. Therefore, many Catholic churches were built here in honor of the saints. The Jesuit College building is of great value and is a historical landmark. It has a large private courtyard. Such a courtyard allows students to walk on their own grounds. It was built in the shape of the letter F in honor of Emperor Ferdinand the Second.
In Kutna Hora there is a Plague Column erected in honor of the deliverance from the plague. This is one of the places in Europe where grateful citizens built such memorial columns at their own expense.
The Ursuline Monastery is another historic urban monument built on the mountain in the late 18th century. It has its own chapel in which services are held. The monastery complex also includes a school, theater, and living quarters. It is only partially open to tourists.
Kutna Hora is a city with a rich history and open to tourists. The sheer number of sights, cathedrals, and monuments is impressive. It’s a must-see.
