Kutna Horá

This weekend was a long one. Friday (November 17) was a holiday, "Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day". It commemorates the beginning of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Student demonstrations marked the beginning of the end for the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Incidentally, this is also "International Students' Day".

We decided to use the extra day together to explore more of the Czech Republic. This time we were joined by Ali, Paul, and Dylan. Our destination - Kutná Hora, about 70km east of Prague. The old town centre is designated by UNESCO, and as you can imagine is very beautiful. This town gained wealth and fame in the early 13th century with the discovery of silver within its bounds. We did a lot of walking and left feeling we'd like to go back and spend some more time there. Lucky for us, Paul had been there on a tour before and was able to guide us around and offer some insight into different buildings that we saw. By far, the highlights were the Ossuary and the Cathedral of Saint Barbara. We weren't able to explore the Czech Silver Museum and Medieval Mine - a good reason to return!

The six of us and a view of the town...


The Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice) is located very close to the train station (about 3 km from the old town centre). The Ossuary is also aptly known as the Bone Chapel as it is decorated with the skeletons of 40,000 people! It is a bizarre and incredible sight that must be seen to be believed. You really have to keep reminding yourself that these are real bones from real people. The obvious question is: Why? Why would Cistercian monks decorate a chapel with the skeletal remains of all of these people? Well, it seems that the cemetary on which this chapel was built became really popular in the early 1300s because some holy ground from Jerusalem was sprinkled on it. Everyone who could, wanted to be buried there. And then, many people died during the 14th century plague. And then even more people died during 15th century Hussite Wars. Eventually the place was overcrowded and parts of the cemetary had to be dug up. Bones were piled up next to the chapel. Finally, in 1511, the monks began to decorate the chapel with the bones. Eery, to say the least.

The Ossuary...


The Cathedral of St. Barbara (Kostel sv. Barbory) was designed by Peter Parler, the same fellow who did St. Vitus' Cathedral within the Prague Castle. It was built in 1388 and it's exterior may very well outshine St. Vitus'. Unfortunately, the exterior was wrapped in scaffolding while we were there as they are refurbishing it...yet another reason to return. Even so, it was very impressive.

The Cathedral at sunset...


Prague and the Czech Republic continue to delight us...

Maylia