St. Barbara's church in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

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Kutná Hora

Enriched by the silver ore that veined the surrounding hills, the medieval city of Kutná Hora became the seat of Wenceslas II’s royal mint in 1308, producing silver groschen that were then the hard currency of Central Europe. Boom-time Kutná Hora rivalled Prague in importance, but by the 16th century the mines began to run dry, and its demise was hastened by the Thirty Years’ War and a devastating fire in 1770. The town became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996, luring visitors with a smorgasbord of historic sights. It looks its flower-bedecked best in May and June but is worth a full day’s visit at any time of year.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Czech Republic - Central Bohemia - Kutna Hora. Sedlec Cemetery near Kutna Hora.

    Sedlec Ossuary

    Kutná Hora

    When the Schwarzenbergs purchased Sedlec monastery (2.5km northeast of the town centre) in 1870 they allowed local woodcarver František Rint to get…

  • Cathedral of St Barbara

    Cathedral of St Barbara

    Kutná Hora

    Kutná Hora’s greatest monument is the Gothic Cathedral of St Barbara. Rivalling Prague’s St Vitus in size and magnificence, its soaring nave culminates in…

  • Czech Silver Museum

    Czech Silver Museum

    Kutná Hora

    Originally part of the town’s fortifications, the Hrádek (Little Castle) was rebuilt in the 15th century as the residence of Jan Smíšek, administrator of…

  • Italian Court

    Italian Court

    Kutná Hora

    East of St James Church (kostel sv Jakuba; 1330) lies the Italian Court, the former Royal Mint – it gets its name from the master craftsmen from Florence…

  • Barborská

    Barborská

    Kutná Hora

    Barborská street runs along the front of the 17th-century former Jesuit College, with glorious views over the valley below, and is decorated with a row of…

  • Gallery of Central Bohemia

    Gallery of Central Bohemia

    Kutná Hora

    The town’s 17th-century former Jesuit College has been restored and now houses this regional gallery devoted to 20th- and 21st-century art. There’s also a…

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Articles

Latest stories from Kutná Hora

Art

To take photos at this famous Czech site, you’ll need to request permission days in advance

Oct 21, 2019 • 2 min read

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