Kutna Hora - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Kutna Hora

Czech Republic

Why Kutna Hora

is special

Kutna Hora is an atmospheric medieval town with a rich architectural and historical background. Its three leading travel attractions are the spectacular St. Barbara Church, the historic Italian Court, and the spine chilling Bone Church.

St. Barbara Church

see photo

This cathedral sized house of worship was built for the town’s many miners and is named for their patron, St. Barbara. It began to rise in Kutna Hora in late 1300s and took two centuries to complete. Outside, this Late Gothic structure has grand flying buttresses and soaring spires. Inside, visitors admire the magnificent vaulted ceilings and precious fresco paintings.

Italian Court

A former mint and royal seat. The Italian Court guided tour includes a coin-making demonstration plus a walk through the king's residence. The royal chapel is a petite artistic jewel.

Bone Church

The interior of the chapel is eerily decorated with the bones of people who passed away centuries ago in the plague and war. Their human remains were assembled into various shapes, including chandeliers, chalices and crosses. This destination also goes by the names Kostnice (Czech) and the Sedlec Ossoury - and is in the Kutna Hora outskirts.

Kutna Hora

history in brief

The formerly sleepy Middle Age town prospered in the 13th to 15th centuries, thanks to the discovery of extensive silver ore deposits. Kutna Hora soon became one of Europe’s leading sources of silver. This provided the wealth to erect structures like St. Barbara, to become the seat of Bohemian kings, and to blossom into one of Europe's largest and most affluent cities. Unfortunately, the silver deposits all but ran about two centuries later and the town shrunk and drifted back into insignificance. Now, tourism is the new wealth of Kutna Hora, and this community is once again flourishing.

Kutna Hora

tips & insights

Kutna Hora is an easy day trip from Prague. You can reach it by road in about an hour (if you avoid the morning and evening rush hours). You can also take a train.

The Kutna Hora historic area is compact and is best explored on foot.

Traditional costumed street festivals are held in June and September.

Kutna Hora in its hey day minted the silver Grochen. It was trusted and used throughout most of Europe. Another coin produced in the area was the Tollar - it gave its name to the dollar.

Pronunciation guide

Kutna Hora:

koot'nah horr'uh