Got bones? How about 40,000 of them? Enter if you dare and pray to the undead in the infamous Bone Church of Kutná Hora!
While some churches are decorated in gold or heavenly stained glass, a small gothic church decided to go a different route for their interior. While it may appear unassuming from the outside--what lies in the Sedlec Ossuary is bone chilling! Otherwise known as the Bone Church or Church of Bones, this unique place of worship is decorated with more than 40,000 human bones.
The Bone Church is a widely sought out exhibit for people who wish to admire these peculiar bone creations. Only an hour outside of Prague, this church is a must see during your time in Czech Republic!
- Swinging from the bone chandelier: one of the most notable pieces of artwork is the grand chandelier, which contains at least one of every human bone.
- Pyramids of Bones: they say the pyramids in Egypt are among the 7 wonders of the world, but what about a pyramid of bones? Skulls stack up on each other to create these artistic pieces, guarded by steel gates.
- The Anatomy of a Signature: Rint left a signature on his masterpiece. He spelled his name out in bones at the foot of the stairs. Talk about a statement!
How did a place of worship become so, well--creepy?
It started with a humble abbot in 1278. The abbot returned to Jerusalem with a jar of “Holy Soil'' said to be from the same hill where Jesus was crucified. Then, people from all over were basically lining up to be buried in Sedlec.
In 1870, Frantisek Rint was given the job of arranging the leftover bones. Rint took this as an opportunity to create a church interior never seen before! They say art is subjective, but who knew it could be so dark?
Tips and Tricks
- Tape recorders available with guided information in different languages; ask the front desk upon arrival.
- Want to use more of your imagination? Take a walk through the cemetery surrounding the Bone Church. Where at least the bones here are still underground!
- Inspired by the decor style? Take a skull to go! The Bone Church sells souvenirs--if you aren’t too scared.
- The church is fairly small and probably won’t take longer than 30-45 mins to explore (unless you try and count every bone) so consider adding other sights within Kutná Hora.
- Want to extend your stay? Continue 7km South (10 mins by car, 30 mins by public transportation) to reach another one of our noted spots: Malešov Fortress (link to article above).
- Photography inside the ossuary is forbidden. Please respect this!
Getting There
- By Car: Approx. 1 hour drive from Prague, street parking by the church is free, or there is a parking lot within walking distance
- By Train: 6 min walk from Kutná Hora-Sedlec train station. Train S28 stops here
- By Bus: close to bus stop Kutná Hora, Sedlec, Tabák. Buses 11, 12, 13, 14 and many more stop here. Busses 1 and 7 connect to the train station
