Just an hour’s train ride east of Prague, Czech Republic is the sleepy town of Kutna Hora – a nice change to the hustle and bustle of the capital city.
While the atmosphere of the town is subdued and quaint, a very other-worldly and bizarre chapel draws curious travelers.
Nothing about the exterior seems particularly special or strange about this church on the edge of town.
But this is Sedlec Kostnice. Also known as the Bone Church or The Ossuary.
Inside this petite chapel are the bones of over 40,000 victims of the great plague. The bones were dug up, collected, cleaned and then used to create near works of art.
The bones are positioned to form ornate decorations and objects ranging from garlands and vases to pyramids and a gargantuan chandelier.
This is truly a strange place and I had mixed feelings about gawking at the tens of thousands of bones strewn about the room.
On one hand, this chapel represents the deaths of thousands of people from a disease that they knew little about.
On the other hand, I was completely fascinated. Its grotesque and yet you can’t turn your eyes away. You want to see more – see what else has been created.
Aside from Sedlec Kostnice, Kutna Hora boasts spectacular views of the country-side from the courtyard of the Cathedral of St. Barbara.
Renovations on the Cathedral
Another surprise of the town are a myriad of art studios, galleries and shops lining the streets that fan out from the main square.
Sidebar: Czech Republic is home to the original Budweiser Beer called Budweiser Budvar. Anhueser-Busch stole the brand name in the late 1800’s to create American Budweiser Beer. They registered the name so now Budweiser Budvar that’s imported to the US is sold under the name Czechvar. (The original is waaay better).
Happy Halloween!
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Wow! That is a really fascinating chapel. The chandelier is particularly disturbing.
That is a dead cool place – like that crypt in Rome that I never quite got to. When I read Kunta Hora I thought I was going to see palm trees on some Pacific Atoll