Kostnice (ossuary)

Kostnice (ossuary) Review

This is the reason many people outside the Czech Republic have heard of, and make the trip to, Kutná Hora. Forget all that beautiful baroque architecture and descend into the darkness with some bones. Thousands of bones to be exact; all lovingly arranged in the Kaple Vsech svatých (All Saints Chapel), more commonly called the Bone Church. Built in the 16th century, this church forced the movement of a nearby graveyard. Monks from the nearby Sedlec Monastery decided to use the displaced cemetery bones to decorate the church, because, why not?

The recently renovated Church of the Assumption of the Virgin across the street from the ossuary at the former Sedlec Monastery exemplifies the work of Giovanni Santini (1667-1723. A master of expressive line and delicate proportion, this one-of-a-kind architect fathered a bravura hybrid of Gothic and baroque. Vítezná, 284 03. 327-561-143 parish. 30 Kc, prior booking needed.