I get never tired from Kutná Hora, the St. Barbora is smaller than St. Vitus in Prague, but the architecture is somehow more delicate. The vault with coat of arms, the organ, oratory, old fresco paintings and double-arched flying butresses. Five naves are quite rare.
This church is a spectacular example of gothic architecture, it's got lots of interesting art inside, and it's a key part of the amazing history of Kutna Hora. St. Barbara was the saint to whom the miners prayed before entering the silver mines, as she protected against sudden death. The town recognized how critical those mines were to its success and prosperity, and thus dedicated their cathedral to her. If you've come to Kutna Hora to see the bone ossuary, you need to visit this as well.
The church is clearly a testament to the richness of the area (silver mines). Nice old town, everything is walking distance. Not too many people pre-Easter
Most people visiting the UNESCO region of Kutna Hora will want to visit the Ossuary Bone Chapel at Sedlec, the Czech Museum of Silver, the former Jesuit College which now houses a new modern art gallery and the Italian Court former residence of the Bohemian kings, and possibly the Chocolate Museum and the Plague Column. However, the standout building is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Barbara, a Gothic masterpiece that took over 500 years to complete !!! The murals are lovely, the organ beautiful, you can climb up to the gallery to have a closer look and the stained glass windows fascinating. The grounds are well kept. Do not miss the Stone Fountain and the Arcade of Statues from which the views across the valley are gorgeous. Top tip if you are in Prague and fancy a trip into the countryside rather than paying nearly 1000czk ( £35 ) to go on an organised coach tour why not take the train from Prague's main station ( Hlavni Nadrazi ) to Kutna Hora main station ( about a one hour journey for 160czk / £7 return). From here the buses F01 and F07 will take you past nearly all these sites for 25 czk / £1. you can then enjoy these at your leisure. It was easy and the stroll to each site gave one a true value of this UNESCO area.
Pavel Cernosek, our private guide, took us to Kutna Hora for the bone church and then toured us around the town. One of our last stops was St. Barbara. It is a gothic cathedral which began construction in 1338. It has some very new stained glass and some old frescos. It is a UNESCO site. Don't miss it if you go to Kutna Hora.
After visiting the Ossuary we went for a little stroll. Everything this city has to offer can be visited in one day. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful i have seen, however has been renovated recently and it has lost a bit from its original looks. Be on the lookout for the statue alley which is to the left of it, slightly at the back...it will take your breath away.
