Kutná Hora & the Bone Church: Everything You Need to Know

Kutná Hora is one of the most rewarding day trips from Prague — and one of the most misunderstood. Most visitors come for the Bone Church and leave thinking that's all there is. In reality, Kutná Hora is a complete medieval city with one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in Central Europe. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

What is Kutná Hora?

In the 13th century, enormous silver deposits were discovered in the hills east of Prague. Kutná Hora grew around those mines and became one of the wealthiest cities in Central Europe — at its peak, it was the second most important city in the Bohemian kingdom after Prague itself.

The silver funded cathedrals, palaces and the royal mint. When the mines ran dry in the 17th century, the city essentially froze in time. Today, Kutná Hora's medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — preserved almost exactly as it looked 500 years ago.

The Sedlec Ossuary — The Bone Church

The Ossuary at Sedlec is the most famous sight in Kutná Hora — and one of the strangest in Europe. The interior of this small Gothic chapel is decorated entirely with human bones: an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 skeletons, arranged into chandeliers, coats of arms, garlands and decorative pyramids.

The bones date from the Black Death epidemics of the 14th century and the Hussite Wars of the 15th century. When the cemetery became overcrowded, the bones were exhumed and stored inside the chapel. In 1870, a local woodcarver named František Rint was commissioned to arrange them artistically. The result is what you see today.

It sounds macabre. Standing inside, it's actually deeply affecting — a strange, beautiful memorial to tens of thousands of people who died in catastrophic circumstances.

Practical info: The Ossuary is in Sedlec, about 2km from the Kutná Hora old town centre. Opening hours vary by season — check in advance. Entrance fee is around 120 CZK. It's small and gets very busy in summer; arrive early or late in the day.

St. Barbara's Cathedral

If the Bone Church is Kutná Hora's most famous sight, St. Barbara's Cathedral is its most magnificent. Built from 1388 and financed by the silver miners themselves (it's dedicated to their patron saint), the cathedral rivals the great Gothic churches of France and Germany.

The flying buttresses, the tent-like roof, the interior frescoes showing medieval miners at work — St. Barbara's is exceptional by any standard. It's also far less visited than it deserves to be, which means you can often walk around in near-silence even in peak season.

The terrace in front of the cathedral looks out over the Vrchlice valley — one of the better views in Bohemia.

The Italian Court & the Town Centre

The Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr) was the royal mint where Bohemian silver coins — the Prague groschen — were minted from 1300. The building is now a museum and one of the best-preserved examples of Gothic civic architecture in the Czech Republic.

The old town centre around Palackého náměstí is worth exploring on foot: the Gothic Stone Fountain, the Baroque plague column, the lanes connecting the main square to the cathedral terrace.

How to Get to Kutná Hora from Prague

Kutná Hora is about 75km east of Prague — roughly one hour by car. It's also accessible by train (about 55 minutes from Praha hlavní nádraží to Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží, then a local connection to Sedlec or the town centre).

The train option works but requires navigating connections and timetables. By private car, you arrive directly, see both the Ossuary and the cathedral at your own pace, and return to Prague whenever suits you.

How Long Do You Need?

A half-day is enough for the Bone Church alone. A full day lets you do the Bone Church, St. Barbara's Cathedral, the Italian Court, and a walk through the old town with lunch. We recommend the full day — Kutná Hora rewards those who slow down.

Tips for Visiting

• Go on a weekday. Kutná Hora is significantly less crowded Monday–Thursday, especially at the Ossuary.
• Start with the Ossuary. It's in Sedlec, slightly outside the town — visit it first, then drive or walk to the town centre and cathedral.
• Don't skip the cathedral. Many visitors spend all their time at the Bone Church and barely glance at St. Barbara's. That's a mistake — the cathedral is the more significant sight.
• Combine with Český Krumlov? No. They're in opposite directions from Prague. Pick one per day.

Book a Private Day Trip

Get-A-Tour runs private day trips from Prague to Kutná Hora with an English-speaking guide who covers both the Ossuary and St. Barbara's Cathedral in depth. Hotel pickup in central Prague, return by late afternoon. No group, no bus, no rush.

Frequently Asked Questions