Kostnice Sedlec
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.
