The importance and wealth of Kutná Hora gradually grew since the 13th century, when silver was mined here. At that time, the mine covered up to one third of European silver production. The city's fame attracted people from all over Europe.
The impressive church of St. Barbara
Most visitors head first to the temple of the patron saint of miners, gunners and all those who are in danger of death. This cathedral was built in 1388. The construction went through several phases and was completed in 1905. It already attracts attention with its beautiful exterior – the unusual tent-shaped roof, elaborate support system and admirable sculptural work. You might find a monkey with an orange.
The interior is built to receive the first and last rays of the sun. Man comes from darkness to light. If you haven't seen The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, here is the main motif of the altar. The statue of a miner in a white coat with a lamp in his hand dated 1700 will definitely catch your attention.
Entrance to the Church of St. Barbara is barrier-free. The interior is accessible only on the ground floor. You will have to look for a parking space for a while. Parking is usually esignated in Kremnická street, we found a place in Za Barborou street.
Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region known under the abbreviation GASK
It is basically right next to the temple of St. Barbara. Unfortunately, my mother and I chose the entrance along the sculpture gallery with an amazing view of the vineyards. We were surprised by the three steps inside. The entrance from Smíškova street, in front of which there is a huge sphere called "Entry to the Law" by Aleš Veselý, is barrier-free. Reserved parking is also available.
Works by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries are on display in the premises of the former Jesuit dormitory, which can be accessed by elevator. We were lucky to have an exhibition of works by the Vál sisters. There is also a cafe and disabled toilets. He wants to check out their ofiko website, what's on right now: https://gask.art/
Tourist center at the temple of St. Barbara
If you need some info or a souvenir, you can visit the tiny tourist center there. A surprise is the wheelchair-accessible toilet hidden behind a wall of magnets. We saw the wheelchair logo and thought it was a magnet. And no... it was the toilet door. You can find the parameters in the Disway Trails app.
Sedlec
On the outskirts of Kutná Hora, about 2 km from the center, there is an equally important part of Sedlec. Already in 1142, the historically oldest Cistercian abbey in the Czech lands was established here. People from all over the world head here mainly for the cemetery church of All Saints and its impressive Ossuary. In the 13th century, Abbot Henry brought here a handful of soil from the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and spread it over the adjacent cemetery. Thanks to this, people not only from Bohemia, but also from Bavaria, Poland or Belgium wanted to be buried here. The baroque elements of the chapel can be attributed to the famous architect Santini.
However, the pyramids of human bones in this Ossuary were created by a half-blind monk in the 16th century. The present form of Ossuary was modified by the carver František Rint in the 19th century, when the property of the monastery was taken over by the Schwarzenbergs. Their family coat of arms or a massive bone chandelier will definitely attract attention. The place surprisingly does not seem depressing.
The Chapel of All Saints is not barrier-free, but there is a rather steep metal ramp outside the entrance to Ossuary. Be careful. A platform with a load capacity of 225 kg is installed on the staircase to Kostnice. I held the control panel in my hand.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist
This cathedral and UNESCO monument was founded in 1290. The Cistercians held the Mother of God in great esteem. That's why Panna Marie Sedlecká has its chapel from the 15th century. She is also called bald because the period wigs have not survived. The Klenotnice is also a rarity here, where you can view an original Sedlec monstrance. It is among the ten preserved Gothic monstrances in Europe. It was made to order for Archbishop Jan of Jenštejn by the Parler at the end of the 14th century.
Also note the self-supporting Santini staircase, when a central column was the usual construction element at the time.
The best way to get to the cathedral entrance is on the grass. There are two separate stone steps at the entrance, but they say they have a ramp available if needed. Mom used to jump over them with me.
The information center in Zámecká street has a few steps from the road, but it is enough to go around the building and the doors are barrier-free. The lady was very helpful and you can buy Ossuary tickets here if you haven't bought them in advance online.
We definitely recommend this trip with mom. There's a lot to see in one place.
