Kutná Hora

A UNESCO-listed medieval silver mining town featuring the otherworldly Sedlec Ossuary chapel decorated with thousands of human bones, and the magnificent Gothic St. Barbara's Cathedral. Located 60km east of Prague, this haunting and architecturally remarkable town offers a compelling day trip.

Things to do

• Sedlec Ossuary — Explore this haunting chapel decorated with approximately 40,000 human skeletal remains arranged in intricate patterns and chandeliers, a unique memento mori from the 14th-century plague.
• St. Barbara's Cathedral — Marvel at this stunning late-Gothic cathedral with soaring ribbed vaults and flying buttresses, built over 500 years by the town's wealthy silver miners.
• Italian Court — Tour the former royal mint and residence featuring Renaissance-style courtyards and learn about the town's silver mining prosperity and medieval coin production.
• Stone Fountain — Admire the Gothic stone fountain in the Old Town Square, a 15th-century monument to the town's wealth and architectural heritage.
• Czech Silver Museum — Descend into a restored medieval silver mine shaft to understand the extraction techniques and economic impact that made Kutná Hora one of Central Europe's richest towns.
• St. James Church — Visit this Gothic parish church in the town center with its distinctive tall spire and ornate interior decorations reflecting the prosperity of medieval Kutná Hora.

Food to try

• Trdelník — Try this traditional Bohemian pastry—a spiral of sweet dough baked on a spit and dusted with cinnamon and sugar, widely available from street vendors near the cathedral.
• Goulash — Sample authentic Czech goulash made with beef, onions, and paprika, a hearty local staple served in traditional restaurants throughout the historic center.
• Svíčková — Experience this classic Czech dish of marinated beef with creamy vegetable sauce and bread dumplings, considered the national dish and served in local eateries.
• Kofola — Drink this Czech cola alternative with a unique herbal taste, a beloved local beverage that predates Coca-Cola in the region and available everywhere.
• Becherovka — Sample this traditional Czech herbal liqueur with 20+ spices, produced in nearby Karlovy Vary and commonly enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif in local pubs.

Local customs & good to know

• Book Ossuary tickets in advance — The Sedlec Ossuary has limited capacity and timed entries, especially during peak tourist season, so reserve online or arrive early to avoid lengthy waits.
• Visit on weekdays for fewer crowds — Kutná Hora becomes extremely crowded on weekends with tour groups, so visiting Tuesday through Thursday offers a more authentic and peaceful experience of the medieval streets.
• Respect the sacred nature of sites — While the Ossuary is striking, remember it contains the remains of plague victims; dress respectfully and observe quiet behavior, particularly in the chapel itself.
• Allow half-day minimum for exploration — Despite its compact size, Kutná Hora's three major sights and winding medieval streets require at least 3-4 hours to fully appreciate without rushing.

Nearby

• Svaty Jan pod Skalou (East Bohemia) — 27 km
• Chrudim (East Bohemia) — 38 km
• Pardubice (East Bohemia) — 38 km
• Hradec Králové (Northeast Bohemia) — 50 km