The Bone Church (Ossuary) in Kutná Hora

Kutná Hora might be most well known for its creepy and eerie “Bone Church,” which is filled with bones and skulls from some 40,000 people, dating back to the 17th Century.

candelabra made of bones and skulls by MikesroadTrip.com

One of the reasons for the influx of bodies is that during the 13th century, the abbot of Sedlec monastery (Jindřich,), returned from a visit to Palestine with a pocketful of soil. The abbot sprinkled the holy soil on the cemetery surrounding the Chapel. Since this soil was associated with the holy land, it led to heightened interest in the graveyard, becoming a sought after burial site among Central European nobility.

At the time of the thirty years’ war in the 17th century, the number of burials outgrew the space available, the older remains began to be exhumed and stored in the chapel. The bones were placed in tombs and also used for decoration. The centerpiece is a massive chandelier, all made from the bones of some 40,000 people. It would be a challenge for Halloween enthusiasts to find a spookier place to visit. In addition to the chandelier, the other highlight is probably the Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms, again, all made from bones and skulls.

The Bone Church in Kutna Hora Czech Republic by MikesRoadTrip.com Visiting the Bone Church in Kutna Hora Czech Republic by MikesRoadTrip.com

Click the following link for more information on the Kutná Hora Bone Church. http://www.myczechrepublic.com/kutna-hora/sedlec-ossuary.html If you’ve ever been to the Bone Church, please leave a comment below and share your experience.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
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2 Comments

  1. This is well worth a side trip from Prague. The town is beautiful and its cathedral was built by many of the same craftsmen who constructed the Prague Castle.

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