Kutná Hora

If you wish to explore the Czech Republic outside of the capital city of Prague, do not miss Kutná Hora, located in the central Bohemian Region. Kutná Hora dates back to 1142 when a Cistercian Monastery was established. By 1260 the area was being mined for silver, although the earliest traces of silver go back to the 10th century. Silver dinars have been found in Malín, a district of Kutná Hora. Kutná Hora’s city center has been UNESCO protected since 1995 and it is interesting to note that the city once competed with Prague culturally, politically and economically because of the wealth from the precious silver mines. From the 13th to the 16th centuries Kutná Hora was flourishing and it is because of this that the city center is so fascinating to visit as the architecture is extremely rich and intricate, especially that of the main cathedral. In Kutná Hora you can see such important buildings as the five-naved St. Barbara’s Church, the Italian Court, the Gothic Stone House and the Gothic St. James' Church. Also worth a look is the Gask Gallery, where you will find important Czech art in a beautiful setting. In the neighboring suburb of Sedlec you can find the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady and the world famous Ossuary, a Roman Catholic chapel decorated with 40,000 to 70,000 bones of plague victims. Kutná Hora is easy to reach from Prague by train and makes for an intriguing day trip.  

Kutná Hora, www.kutnahora.cz