Add a review about the Sedletskoye Kostromirishche

Chapel of All Saints in Sedlec - a very specific attraction of Kutna Hora . And those who do not have strong nerves should not come here absolutely surely . Outside the chapel, built in the Gothic style, looks quite traditional . But all its interior is made of human bones . According to an approximate calculation, this cemetery chapel is adorned with bones of about 40 000 people . At the same time the chapel ("The Belfry in the Saddle") is one of the most visited sights Nost of the Czech Republic: a year there are more than 200 000 tourists .

popularity of the ancient cemetery, on which stands the chapel began to increase sharply in the late 13th century. Then to this place from Jerusalem the abbot of the nearby Cistercian monastery brought a little holy land, which was poured into the cemetery. After this, not only the inhabitants of the Czech Republic, but also thousands of Europeans wanted to be buried here. And their flow constantly increased in the Middle Ages, during countless wars and epidemics of the plague.

An abnormally huge chandelier in the center of the chapel is also made of bones, and each bone of the human body is included in its design in at least one copy.

By the beginning of the 15th century there was no more place in the cemetery, and the old bones were simply dug up and moved to the tomb, which was built with the church. And already in the 16th century "extra" bones were tried to somehow attach to its interior decoration. Despite the simplicity of medieval manners, rich and noble people still preferred to be buried in their entirety, counting on resurrection after the Last Judgment. To be dismantled for decorative elements, only poor and unidentified corpses were waiting for.

However absurd, the bone pyramids symbolize four rays of light in the dark, that is, hope.

In 1710 the church was restored and baroque elements were added to it . At the end of the 18th century the monastery was closed, and its territory was transferred to the noble family of Schwarzenberg. A century later Schwarzenbergs instructed an experienced master of wood carving Frantiseku Rintu unusual work. The result of his labors was the incredible macabre that can be seen in the chapel today

Sedletskoye Kostromirny

Four large cones of bones stand at the corners of the chapel. The abnormally huge chandelier in the center of the chapel is also made of bones, and each bone of the human body is included in its design in at least one specimen. From the ceiling hang garlands of skulls. In addition, in the interior you can see the coat of arms of the Schwarzenbergs, the bone-bearers of the altar and the modest signature of the master, also made of bones. The bar, able to finish off the visitor, is a plaster angel sitting on the tops of pyramids of bones

Practical information

Address: Zamecka, 127

Kostná Hora, in the former suburb of Kutná Hora, northeast of the city center .

Working hours: from November to February: 9:00 - 16:00, from April to September: 8:00 - 18:00, in October and March: 9:00 - 17:00. The church is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Admission: for adults: 90 CZK, for students and children: 60 CZK.