Kutna Hora, Czech Republic is a small town located about an hour drive from Prague. Although it may not be the first destination that comes in mind when planning a trip to the Czech Republic, but there are many things to do in Kutna Hora making it worth a visit.
Kutná Hora is home to some of the best-preserved Gothic architecture in Central Europe, included in UNESCO world heritage list. One of the oldest silver mines in the world are located there. Besides that, Kutna Hora is simply a beautiful and charming town.
Here is the list of the best things to do in Kutna Hora; keep reading to get more details on popular tourist attractions to visit for first timers.
Kutna Hora History
The history of Kutná Hora is quite rich and diverse. It’s starts in 12th century as a monastery town. A bit later Kutna Hora became a place, where Germans launched a massive silver mining campaign. And in 1300 Prague groschen – new coin in Bohemia was presented.
This way, medieval city became the place of great interest among rulers of Central Bohemian region. After such a grand rise, Kutna Hora has nearly been destroyed economically in 16th century.
Visiting Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora, Czech Republic is located about one hour east from Prague city centre. You can visit Kutná hora on your own. Plan your trip in advance which can take quite a while, create the list of places to visit and check during your day trip.
By Joining Day Trip
You can avoid all hustles and bustles by simply joining private tour with hotel pickup and enjoy your time while exploring Czech countryside.
There are several options for day trip to Kutná hora to choose from: half-day tours with entrance fees for visiting iconic places such as Sedlec Ossuary, Church of Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John and others. You can check the availability below.
Kutná hora private tour
If you’re traveling by group up to 7 people, there are also private tours to Kutná hora available. In addition to the places mentioned above, you can visit Italian court, once very important place, nowadays its popular Czech museum.
Join half-day tour to Kutna Hora from Prague
By local Train
Its not a problem to go to Kutná hora by using public transportation – local train to reach Kutná hora město. Arrive to the main train station in Prague. At the main station you can buy tickets to Kutná hora město (make sure you’ve bought exactly this ticket type).
Why its important? Kutná hora main train station is located 4 km away from the Kutna Hora town itself. So, you’ll need to transfer to local train once you arrived to Kutna Hora and continue your journey, that will take just several minutes to arrive to city centre from main station.
In case you missed the train, you can take a bus to Kutna Hora. Bus stop is located in front of train station, but the trip will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Kutna Hora Attraction List
Saint Barbara’s church
Saint Barbara’s church is one of the most popular places to visit in Kutna Hora, which is also UNESCO world heritage site. This Gothic beautiful church took several hundreds of years to build and is considered to be as one of the architectural gems in Kutná Hora.
The choice of the patron saint for the church was not occasional. During long time Kutna Hora, Czech Republic was a place where many miners worked, the choice was evident.
Visitors can book tickets to explore St. Barbara’s church, take part in a guided tour or simply admire the exterior from the outside. Consider taking a guided tour to fully appreciate the church’s history, architecture, and artwork.
- Join Day Tour from Prague with visit to St. Barbara Cathedral
- Address: Barborska Street, Kutna Hora 284 01 Czech Republic
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Official Website – khfarnost.cz
- Tickets & Tours:
- Adults – 160 CZK
- Students (15-26) and seniors (65+) – 120 CZK
- Children (5-15) and people with disabilities – 50 CZK
- Kids under 5 – free
Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist, often referred to simply as the Sedlec Cathedral, is another significant historical and architectural landmark in Kutná Hora.
The cathedral was initially constructed between 1280 and 1320 as part of the Cistercian monastery in Sedlec. After being damaged during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century, it was rebuilt and restored in the Baroque-Gothic style during the 18th century.
Before the Church of Our Lady and Saint John was burnt in 1421, it was one of the greatest churches in Central Bohemia.
Hradek – Museum of Silver and Medieval Mine
Another popular tourist attraction in Kutna Hora is mining museum. Czech museum and medieval silver mine are called Hradek (which means Little castle) and they offer a fascinating insight into the Kutná Hora history as a silver-mining town.
The museum features various permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions include displays on the geology of the Kutná Hora region, the history of silver mining, and the development of coinage. There are also exhibits on the everyday life of miners and the tools they used.
One of the most exciting parts of visiting Hrádek is the opportunity to take a guided tour of the medieval silver mine. Visitors can descend into the mine to experience the conditions under which miners worked centuries ago.
- Address: Barborská 28/9, Vnitřní Město, 284 01 Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
- Official Website: https://www.cms-kh.cz/
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (All week)
- Phone: +420 733 420 366 or +420 327 512 159
- Ticket Prices: Tour I (full admission) – 70 CZK, Tour II (full admission) – 140 CZK. You can make your reservation here.
Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church)
The Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is a must-visit places in Kutna Hora. The small bone chapel is decorated with human bones, creating a truly unique and impressive sight. The ossuary contains the bones of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people, most of whom died during the Black Death in the 14th century and the Hussite Wars in the 15th century.
Kutná Hora bone church was very popular centuries ago as a burial place. It’s difficult to imagine visiting Kutna Hora, Czech Republic without exploration of this place.
How the idea to use human bones for decorations purposes came up to someone’s mind is unclear, but you’ll heard a story about half blind monk, lived in Kutna Hora, who was the first one to create the piece of art from such unusual material.
Photography is typically allowed inside the ossuary, but visitors should be respectful and mindful of the space, especially considering its nature as a final resting place.
- Book entrance tickets to Bone Church with audioguide
- Address: Zámecká, 284 03 Kutná Hora, Czechia
- Phone: +420 326 551 049
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM Daily
- Official Website: https://www.sedlec.info/en/ossuary/
- Admission fees:
- Adult – 160 CZK,
- Students and Seniors (over 65 years) – 120 CZK,
- Children (6-15 years) and people with disabilities – 50 CZK,
- Children under 6 years old – free.
Italian court
Italian court in Kutná Hora město is one of the main attractions to visit. Bohemian kings arriving to Kutna Hora, spent their time in Italian court, as it was a former royal palace. A bit later, Italian Court became a royal mint where new silver coins – Prague groschen were minted.
You may ask why this place got such a name – “Italian court”? The reason is that specialists working at royal mint in Kutna Hora were of Italian origin.
Italian court was under restoration in 19th century and nowadays it is used as town hall.
Royal Route in Kutna Hora
Royal Route in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic is a series of interconnected courtyards, palaces, churches, and other buildings located within walking distance that served as a royal residence for Bohemian kings during the Middle Ages.
Many of those buildings along the route have since been converted into Kutná hora museums, making it a great place to learn about Czech history and culture. If the theme of Middle Ages resonates to you, then try medieval dinner experience.
Jesuit college in Kutná Hora
In 1626 Jesuits arrived to Kutná hora město and decided to convert to Сatholicism the biggest part of population from the nearby territories of Central Bohemia. That’s how the decision about Jesuit college construction was made.
During many years construction of Jesuit college in Kutna Hora was postponed due to many different reasons. The building was finished only in 1750.
Beautiful early Baroque building houses many exhibitions nowadays, demonstrating art pieces from 20th and 21st centuries.
Historic Centre
Another must-see attraction in Kutná hora is the Historic Centre. City center is a well-preserved medieval town main square that features a number of late Gothic architecture and Renaissance-style buildings.
In the historic centre of the square is the Church of St. Barbara, a beautiful Gothic church that is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
If you have enough time, you can visit Sychrov castle, it is located about one hour and a half drive from Kutna Hora.
Stone House
Wherever you look at in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic every building in the city center is of great value and historical importance. But, Stone house deserves special attention.
It took about 14 years to finish this house, which stands out from the surrounding buildings. Knights on the gable of this house symbolise that it was noble person’s house in Kutná hora.
The Stone House was built in the late 15th century and is an excellent example of a Gothic burgher house. It reflects the wealth and status of its owners, who were involved in the prosperous silver mining industry of Kutná Hora. The house is renowned for its well-preserved Gothic architecture, including its richly decorated façade.
Chocolate Museum & Chocolaterie in Kutna Hora
Fans of chocolate can visit the Chocolate Museum and Chocolaterie in Kutna Hora. The museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at the history and production of chocolate, while the chocolaterie allows you to sample some of the delicious treats that are made on-site.
- Address: Komenského náměstí 72/18, 284 01 Kutná Hora
- Opening Hours: Daily
- Phone: +420 603 184 037
Alchemy Museum
And finally, a visit to Kutná Hora would be incomplete without a stop at the Alchemy Museum. The museum is housed in an old monastery and features a collection of alchemical instruments and other items related to the history of the occult sciences.
Address: U Jelena 489, 284 01 Kutná Hora, Czechia
Phone: +420 327 511 259
Gothic Stone fountain
The Gothic Stone Fountain (Gotická kamenná kašna) is a historic landmark located in the center of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic. Active mining activity in Kutna hora, Czech Republic was the reason of problems with drinking water. The solution was to collect waters from nearby springs to the Gothic stone fountain and provide Kutná hora citizens with drinking water.
Stone fountain performed its direct function until 1890. The Stone Fountain is located in the historic town center of Kutná Hora, near the main square (Barborské náměstí). It’s easily accessible on foot from other major attractions in the area.
Conclusion
Kutná Hora is a city with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do. Whether you’re interested in learning about the city’s past or simply want to enjoy some of its delicious food, Kutná Hora is definitely worth a visit.
