Kutná Hora
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Overview
Enriched by the silver ore that veined the surrounding hills, the medieval city of Kutná Hora became the seat of Wenceslas II’s royal mint in 1308, producing silver groschen that were then the hard currency of Central Europe. Boom-time Kutná Hora rivalled Prague in importance, but by the 16th century the mines began to run dry, and its demise was hastened by the Thirty Years’ War and a devastating fire in 1770. The town became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996, luring visitors with a smorgasbord of historic sights. It looks its flower-bedecked best in May and June but is worth a full day’s visit at any time of year.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Kutná Hora
When the Schwarzenbergs purchased Sedlec monastery (2.5km northeast of the town centre) in 1870 they allowed local woodcarver František Rint to get…
-
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora’s greatest monument is the Gothic Cathedral of St Barbara. Rivalling Prague’s St Vitus in size and magnificence, its soaring nave culminates in…
-
Kutná Hora
Originally part of the town’s fortifications, the Hrádek (Little Castle) was rebuilt in the 15th century as the residence of Jan Smíšek, administrator of…
-
Kutná Hora
East of St James Church (kostel sv Jakuba; 1330) lies the Italian Court, the former Royal Mint – it gets its name from the master craftsmen from Florence…
-
Kutná Hora
Barborská street runs along the front of the 17th-century former Jesuit College, with glorious views over the valley below, and is decorated with a row of…
-
Kutná Hora
The town’s 17th-century former Jesuit College has been restored and now houses this regional gallery devoted to 20th- and 21st-century art. There’s also a…
Articles
Latest stories from Kutná Hora
Art
To take photos at this famous Czech site, you’ll need to request permission days in advanceOct 21, 2019 • 2 min read