In the heart of the Czechia lies Kutna Hora, a town of exquisite beauty and cultural richness. Less than 75 km from Prague, this less-trodden city captivates the senses with its intricate tapestry of history, awe-inspiring architecture, and quirky museums.
Brief history of Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora was founded in 1142 and went on to become the second richest city in the Kingdom of Bohemia after silver deposits were discovered in the region in the 13th Century.
The abundance of silver led to the establishment of a royal mint (coin manufacturing), making Kutna Hora one of the most important mining towns in Central Europe. The city flourished as silver mining boomed, attracting merchants, artisans, and craftsmen from all over Europe.
Over time, the silver deposits depleted, and Kutná Hora’s significance as a mining town declined. However, its historical importance and architectural splendor continue to attract visitors from around the world. Today, the city’s well-preserved medieval centre, with its cobbled streets and charming buildings, transports visitors back in time, offering a glimpse into its illustrious past.
With its UNESCO World Heritage status, I promise you’ll be transported to a realm where old and new merge harmoniously together, offering a truly unique experience. Often seen as just an addition to visiting Prague, this place is a destination in itself for history and art lovers alike.
Feel the haunting atmosphere of Sedlec Ossuary
Starting with perhaps the most well-known attraction of Kutna Hora, the haunting Sedlec Ossuary. The ‘Bone Church’, located just outside Kutná Hora showcases a startling display of human bones creatively arranged to form intricate decorations. Witness skeletal chandeliers, altars, and even a coat of arms made entirely of human bones. It’s an eerie yet fascinating experience that offers a glimpse into the town’s religious and spiritual significance.
For more information on the history and how to get there, read this dedicated post:
The ‘Church Of Bones’ In Kutna Hora Near Prague
Revel in the Gothic architecture of St. Barbara's Church
Embark on a pilgrimage through time and architecture as you behold the majestic St. Barbara’s Church. St Barbara was the patron saint of miners, and this church was built and dedicated to her by the mining community of Kutna Hora. Even before the roof went on, the miners would come and worship here, praying for safety and guidance in the mines.
Its towering spires, adorned with delicate stone carvings, reach towards the sky, capturing the essence of Gothic magnificence which was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995. Do make sure to step inside. The Gothic frescoes, Renaissance paintings, and ornate Baroque ceiling will make you feel truly in awe of the painstaking efforts of man. Don’t forget to take a moment to rest and soak up the majestic interplay of light and colour through stained glass windows.
Designed by revered architect Jan Parler, who came from the illustrious Parler family of architects, master builders and sculptors. His father Peter Parler built the world-famous St Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge in Prague.
Enjoy contemporary art at GASK
Delve into a realm of contemporary art at GASK (Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region). Housed within the 17th Century former Jesuit college, this cultural hub bridges the gap between past and present, blending modern architecture with historical surroundings. There are a myriad of exhibitions rooms to explore with immersive installations, and captivating multimedia displays.
Don’t miss the mirror maze room for a playful experience. With optical illusions, twists and turns, this playful attraction will have both children and adults laughing alike.
Before leaving make sure you visit the gift shop. Its modern interior and selection of art books and crafts made by local designers is on par with the likes of New York’s MoMa or London’s Tate Modern.
Stroll along beautiful Barborska Street
The most scenic spot in Kutna Hora is Barborska Street so get your camera out. On one side beautiful statues are lined up overlooking the lovely valley below while on the other side the impressive building of Jesuit College stands tall. Then, depending on which end you arrive on, you’ll have the view of Saint Barbara’s Church either appearing smaller behind you in the distance or larger as you approach the architectural masterpiece.
Trivia: It is so beautiful that some movie scenes from Les Miserables were shot here!
Admire the ornate facade of the Stone House
A stroll around the charming medieval old town with its cobbled streets is a lovely way to whittle away the afternoon, particularly if you can afford the time. One townhouse however, stands out among the rest for its ornate Gothic architecture. It used to belong to a wealthy local, perhaps a merchant, but now it is managed by the Silver Museum (see below). You can head inside to see the layout of the building and a couple of small exhibitions, but if you’re strapped for time, I’d recommend just admiring the pretty facade.
Visit the mines at the Czech Museum of Silver
Rewinding the clock all the way back to the 13th century, the discovery of silver transformed the little town of Kutna Hora into one of the richest cities in Europe. Over the next few centuries, however, the mines were either depleted or flooded, causing miners to move elsewhere.
What’s left behind is a rich history of mining and silver minting that you can now explore at this museum. The exhibits explain the medieval mining techniques and showcase replicas of original machinery and equipment. But the best bit is exploring the underground mines with a helmet and headlamp 33-metres below ground level. However, if you’re not a fan of small spaces, maybe this would be one to avoid!
Tour the Italian Court and Coin Museum
Kutna Hora attracted the kings of Bohemia, who occupied the Italian Court during their trips and enjoyed the lavish lifestyle this mining town could provide them. Now the court is open for visitors to explore the labyrinthine corridors and charming courtyards.
Once a royal mint and residence, this architectural masterpiece showcases a harmonious blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. You can take a guided tour of the Royal Mint, the Royal Palace or a combined tour of the two. Discover how the silver was mined and see the demonstration of how coins were minted which you can take away as souvenirs. The guide paints a picture of what it was like making coins and other tidbits. For the craftsmen, it was a very tough job, they had to pounder the heavy hammer to make 2000 coins a day. However they were very well paid as they got to keep a portion of what they made for the day as payment. Individually they got to keep 20 coins at a time when an average days work was 5 coins a day. Not bad, eh!
Savour the taste of Czech cuisine at Restaurace V Ruthardce
No trip to Kutna Hora is complete without filling your belly with some hearty and authentic Czech cuisine at Restaurace V Ruthardce. Located in a beautifully restored medieval building, this restaurant captures the essence of the city’s rich history while offering a warm and inviting atmosphere to equal their delicious recipes.
Restaurace V Ruthardce takes pride in serving authentic Czech dishes. A few dishes on offer include svíčková (marinated beef with creamy sauce), schnitzel (breaded and fried meat), kulajda (potato soup with mushrooms) and Pečená kachna (roasted duck with cabbage and potato dumplings).
The restaurant’s interior exudes a rustic elegance, with its wooden beams and traditional decor. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between cosy and refined to create a welcoming space for relaxing and indulging. If you appreciate a beer garden, they’ve got that too. Judging the contented smile on my boyfriend’s face, pint-lovers will enjoy their supply of Czech beers on offer.
I opted for a ginger tea which came with lots of raw sliced ginger and a huge pot of honey as opposed to just a tea bag. This alone tells you that they pride themselves on having the best ingredients.
How to get to Kutna Hora
The best place to catch the České dráhy railway to Kutna Hora is from Prague’s main train station (Hlavní Nádrazí). All express direct trains and connecting trains (with one transfer along the way) depart from here. Express trains take 60 to 70 minutes to reach Kutna Hora, while connecting trains can take up to 90 minutes, depending on which one you take. You can check schedules and buy your ticket online.
Alternatively, if like to take things as they come like me and prefer a bit of flexibility, you can just purchase a ticket at the station. I got a seat without reservation without any issues and there seemed to be plenty of spare seats. I bought a return ticket and took one of the latest trains home in the evening (make sure to check train times back to Prague, since they usually depart once an hour). If you would like to spend more time in Kutna Hora, I suggest an overnight stay.
Where to stay in Kutna Hora
If you’re looking for a unique and memorable stay in Kutna Hora, SUPERB – Medieval apartment is the place to stay. As its name suggests, it will transport you back to medieval times, with a magical touch of luxury and charm.
