Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites in Czechia

Underground Chapel Decorated with Human Skeletal Remains

The All Saints Church with the Ossuary was built in the first half of the 14th century as part of an extensive Cistercian monastery in Sedlec near Kutná Hora. It was established on a site where soil from Jerusalem was said to have been scattered, which led to the rapid growth of the cemetery and an increased need for the respectful storage of remains. Following the closure of the large cemetery in the late 15th century, the exhumed bones were placed in the lower chapel of the church, which served as an ossuary.

Today, the Ossuary is famous primarily for its unique interior decoration created from skeletal remains estimated to belong to 40,000 to 70,000 people. This artistic arrangement was carried out in 1870 by the woodcarver František Rint from Česká Skalice upon the commission of the Schwarzenberg family, the lords of the estate at the time. Among the most famous works are the large chandelier, pyramids of skulls and bones, and the coat of arms of the Schwarzenberg family.

Access

Sedlec can be reached via first-class main road number 2, which connects Prague with Kutná Hora and continues towards Pardubice. Free parking for passenger cars is available on Zámecká, Čechova, and Starosedlecká streets, with the Ossuary complex located nearby. The nearest railway station, named Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží, lies only about 900 meters from the Ossuary and is part of an important railway line. Bus connections are provided by urban and suburban transport lines leading directly to Kutná Hora or Sedlec.

Things Worth Discovering

In close proximity to the Ossuary lies another significant UNESCO monument, the Cathedral of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist, which was once part of the Cistercian monastery. The town of Kutná Hora itself offers a tour of its historical center with exceptionally valuable monuments, such as the Church of Saint Barbara, a symbol of Gothic architecture, as well as the Vlašský dvůr complex. The nearby Kaňk educational trail leads to a former limestone quarry and offers views of the surrounding area.

The Sedlec Ossuary represents a profound memento mori and a powerful artistic experience that reflects the history of the region marked by plague epidemics and the Hussite Wars. The site is managed by the parish, which ensures year-round operation with the exception of special days. Visiting this place offers a unique combination of spirituality, history, and art.

Education and art beneath the Gothic vault

Imagine a peaceful space in the heart of Třeboň, where a valuable complex of Gothic monastic buildings stands. The Augustinian Monastery was founded here in 1367 thanks to the Rožmberk family and quickly became an important center of education, art, and culture in South Bohemia.

Kláštor: A medieval gem where time has stood still

Discover a place that will transport you centuries back to the Gothic era. The dominant feature of the complex is the kostol sv. Egídia church, whose rich architecture will captivate you at first sight. While strolling through the monastery cloisters, you can admire the rare polychrome rib vaults and fresco decorations from the early 15th century, which have been preserved almost unchanged. For centuries, the monastery served as an economic, cultural, and spiritual center of the region, and its historical legacy continues to shape the unmistakable atmosphere of the entire town today.

Who is a visit ideal for?

This place is perfect for lovers of Gothic sacral architecture and anyone who wants to experience an authentic connection between history and art firsthand. When planning your visit, please note that the complex is not wheelchair accessible, and some areas have stairs or narrower passages. Due to the preservation of peace and the monument protection of the premises, entry with dogs is not permitted.

Where to find it and how to enter

The monastery lies directly in the historic center of Třeboň, easily accessible on foot or by car, with parking nearby. A visit offers a cultural experience combined with a walk through the historic part of the town.

A place where learning grew from religious faith

The Augustinian Monastery is a place where secular influence meets spiritual depth. Gothic style, frescoes, and cloisters here tell of a time when the town was an educational and artistic center. Step inside, where history spread wisdom and beauty.

Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře is located near Žďár nad Sázavou. One of the most photogenic places in the Vysočina Region is a masterpiece of Baroque Gothic architecture, designed by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. The idea to build a pilgrimage church came from Abbot Václav Vejmluva in 1719. The abbot was inspired to pursue this concept by the discovery of preserved tissue in the tomb of John of Nepomuk, who was to be celebrated through the church as a saint and powerful patron. The beatification and canonisation of John of Nepomuk took place precisely at the time of the church's foundation.

The church was built in the early 1720s, with construction financed by the local Cistercian monastery. The foundation stone was laid on 16 May 1720, and the consecration of the temple took place on 27 September 1722. The architecture of the temple is timeless and remains unaffected by the conventional elements of the era in which it was created. The ground plan of the structure takes the shape of a five-pointed star. The number 5 is also present in other elements: the church features five chapels and five altars, visitors will see five stars and five angels on the high altar, the ambulatory surrounding the temple is in the shape of a ten-pointed star and contains five gates. This symbolism derives from the legend according to which a crown with five stars appeared at the site where John of Nepomuk drowned. This number may also signify the five wounds of Christ.

In July 1784, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the roof of the church, and the monastery was abolished two months later. Re-roofing was achieved solely thanks to the local inhabitants. In 1792, the Moravian-Silesian Gubernium permitted the repair of the church, conditioned upon the relocation of the cemetery to the complex, the church serving as a funeral chapel, and neither the bishopric nor the Gubernium providing financial participation in the repair and subsequent operation. Since 1994, the pilgrimage church has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In August 2014, management of the complex was taken over by the Roman Catholic Parish in Žďár nad Sázavou after more than 50 years. The surroundings of the church were originally bare; reforestation took place around the mid-19th century, renewed deforestation began in 2006, and the surroundings of the church have been in their original state since 2007. Extensive reconstruction took place within the complex from the spring of 2018 until October 2021, with restorers focusing on the renovation of both the exterior (windows, facades) and the interior (plaster, floors, stucco decoration, and furnishings). The project also included the restoration of the pilgrimage meadow near the church.

From April to October, a guided tour is prepared for visitors to the complex. Accompanied by a guide, visitors walk through the main western entrance gate, then across the cemetery directly into the church itself over the course of 45 minutes. Booking the tour in advance is recommended. The pilgrimage church complex is partially accessible to wheelchair users, though an accompanying person is advised during the tour.

Žďár nad Sázavou and its surroundings provide interesting opportunities for all types of tourists. In the event that visitors are interested in history, exploring the Žďár nad Sázavou Chateau alongside the church is certainly desirable. However, those drawn to nature may venture into the Žďárské vrchy Hills. For swimming in summer, the nearby Velké Dářko Lake is ideal.

Plenty of accommodation near the Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře can be found, and finding the right one for visitors is guaranteed. Žďár nad Sázavou offers interesting modern and design apartments, family guesthouses with a pleasant atmosphere, and hotels providing comprehensive care. Should the town not suit preferences, accommodation capacities in nearby Světnov can also be considered, where cosy cottages or private lodging are available. Whether visitors are believers or not, the Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře is certain to leave a strong impression. Visitors are invited to come and see for themselves by finding accommodation for their stay right away!

Borovany Monastery – a baroque oasis of peace and history with the scent of herbs

In the historic center of Borovany rises the former Augustinian monastery, founded in 1455 by Petr of Linda as a spiritual support after the Hussite wars. Its original form was disrupted by war and poor management, but a new impulse was given by Emperor Ferdinand III in 1663. In the mid-18th century, the monastery acquired the form we admire today – with the addition of the Scapular Chapel and the representative prelature. In 1785, however, it was dissolved under the decree of Joseph II. The building was then transformed into a chateau, acquired by the Schwarzenbergs, who held it until 1939. After many transformations, today the monastery complex serves as a library, museum, information center, café, and cultural center, complemented by the experiential tour called “six senses.” In 2020, the beautiful Garden of Flowers was added – rich in plants supporting insects and small birds.
 

What you can experience here – baroque, senses, and flowers

• The Six Senses tours will take you to sacred architecture, the lapidarium, the Scapular Chapel, and the exhibition of spiritual art.
• The lapidarium holds baroque statues in the monastery’s cloister, complemented by an exhibition of ecclesiastical garments and paintings.
• The Scapular Chapel and the prelature enrich the sanctuary with an impressive baroque character.
• The Garden of Flowers invites you to relax and provides shelter for bumblebees, butterflies, and small birds – an oasis of peace in the heart of the complex.

Who the monastery is ideal for

• For lovers of baroque architecture, spiritual art, and the Christian heritage of the region
• For families, schools, and cultured visitors eager to explore interactive exhibitions and park-like quiet zones
• The area is accessible from the outside, though some historical interiors may include stairs
• Entry with dogs is not allowed

How to get here and what else you can find
The monastery stands in the center of Borovany, within walking distance from the square, with parking available nearby. You can spend an inspiring afternoon in the café, visit the exhibition, stroll through the garden, and enjoy the peace of the town.

Monastic peace that opens senses and colors
Borovany Monastery is not just a historical monument – it is a place where the past meets the present. Baroque art, an interactive tour, and the flower garden create a harmonious symphony for all the senses and for moments of silence.

Broumov Monastery – baroque majesty amid sandy landscapes

Since the 13th century, the town of Broumov has been home to a Benedictine monastery complex, which gradually transformed from a Gothic structure into a monumental Baroque landmark under the hands of the Dientzenhofer architects. Today, it invites you on a journey through history, culture, and tranquility in the castle bay of Broumovsko.
 

What you will find here – church, library, and the secrets of books

• An impressive Baroque monastery complex designed by Christoph and his son Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer
• The magnificent Church of St. Adalbert, rebuilt into its current form, hides a copy of the Shroud of Turin – the only one of its kind north of the Alps
• A historic library with tens of thousands of volumes offering insight into the world of learning and spiritual life
• The opportunity to visit the monastery refectory, galleries, underground areas, and garden, completing the experience with silence and space for rest

Who the Broumov Monastery is ideal for

• Lovers of architecture, Baroque art, and spiritual history
• School groups, families, and individual visitors seeking a meaningful experience
• The complex is accessible from the town center on flat terrain
• Entry with dogs is not allowed

How to get here and what to discover nearby
The monastery is located directly above Broumov’s historic center, with parking available nearby. It is easily accessible on foot, by car, or by bus. A visit can be easily combined with a walk through the historic core, a trip to the Adršpach-Teplice rock paradise, or exploring other sacred gems of the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area – often called an open-air textbook of architecture.

A place where the past speaks through baroque and silence
The Broumov Monastery opens the door to a world of art, learning, and spiritual silence. Every corner, hall, and shadow of an old tree tells a story that shaped the entire Broumovsko region.

A unique Renaissance bell tower in the Pardubice Region featuring rare bells mounted upside down, now a significant technical monument.

The bell tower with inverted bells, situated in the municipality of Hrochův Týnec in the Pardubice Region, is neither a castle nor a chateau, but a unique 16th-century Renaissance bell tower that serves as a significant technical and architectural monument. The bell tower is a world rarity, as its bells are fixed and mounted upside down; it is not the bells that move, but the entire structure. This system is known as a rotating bell and provides a specific method of ringing. The bell tower is part of the premises of the Kostel svatého Michala Archanděla and represents a rare example of Renaissance timber architecture in the region.

Access

The bell tower is located in the municipality of Hrochův Týnec, at the address Hrochův Týnec 1. By car, it is accessible from the I/17 or II/358 roads. Parking is available at a free car park near the village. The nearest bus stop is Hrochův Týnec, náměstí, which is within walking distance. The Hrochův Týnec railway station (line 016) is approximately 500 metres away. The bell tower is open seasonally with guided tours.

What to see nearby

In the vicinity of Hrochův Týnec, visitors may visit the historic town of Chrudim with the Chrudimské muzeum and the Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie. Visitors may also wish to see Zámek Slatiňany, an extensive chateau featuring a hippological museum and a vast park. Another point of interest is the Rozhledna Bára near the town of Chrudim, which offers views of the Železné hory and the surrounding area.