Partly Gothic, partially baroque church of the Ascension of Our Lady and John the Baptist is located in the north-eastern part of the city. This church was listed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List, since it is considered one of the most valuable examples of Gothic architecture in the country. In addition, it is also one of the oldest examples of Baroque Gothic in the Czech Republic.

Originally the church had a classical Gothic style. It was built around 1300 and became one of the first high-rise buildings in Bohemia, as well as the first, which was built following the example of the French cathedrals. The church was put on the site of an older building that belonged to the monastery in Sedlec, founded in 1142 and the oldest in the Czech Republic. The abbey was burned by the Hussites in 1421, and for two centuries the monastery church was in ruins.

Magnificent windows make the building from the inside majestic and simultaneously airy, emphasizing the feminine, subtle nature of the church.

In 1700 the abbot of the monastery decided restore the old church. After three years of construction, Ian Blazhey Santini-Aichel, who already worked for the Cistercians in Zbraslaw, was involved in the work. He completed work on the church in a specific style of Baroque Gothic. Most impressive to this day in the architect's work are amazing high arches and a front wall with statues.

In the external appearance of the church, the modesty that the Cistercians preached is combined with impressiveness. In comparison with other Gothic temples, there are almost no decorative elements. But the church of the Mother of God can truly be called a temple of light. The magnificent windows make the building from the inside majestic and at the same time airy, emphasizing the feminine, delicate nature of the church.

The last restoration of the church was held in 2001
The Church of the Ascension of Our Lady in Kutná Hora

There is one more in Kutná Hora church consecrated in honor of the Mother of God. It stands on the square where the market used to be, and is visible from afar thanks to a single quadrangular clock tower with a sharp black spire. In the Middle Ages, the market was traded in exchange for silver, and in the evening silver dust was swept from the square. In the end, a sufficient amount of precious metal was collected to pay for the construction of the church.

Practical information

The church stands directly in front of the Sedlecki Kostroma, in the north-east of the city.

Working hours: April-October: 9:00 - 17:00, on Sundays: 12:00 - 17:00. From November to March: 10:00 - 16:00.

Admission: for adults: 30 CZK, for children: 20 CZK (December 2014).