I was impressed with this sight and was terrified at the same time. I walked it for 15 minutes, took photos, looked on the skull with bones and quickly left. It seemed to me that the visit Kostnitsy is not for everyone. It looks scary and the faint of heart may faint (there have been cases). Why go here is not for fun, but to learn Czech history, to look firsthand. Attitude to the bone may be different, but sight, really, is unlikely to leave someone indifferent.
The content of the article
- 1 Kostnice in the Czech Republic, Kutna Hora
- 2 Historical background
- 3 Information to visit
- 4 What else to see in Kutna Hora
- 5 How to get there
- 6 On the map
Contents
Kostnitsa in the Czech Republic, Kutna Hora
The ossuary in the Czech Republic can only be compared with the even darker. the catacombs in paris. But this kind of thing is not at all what rejoices the eye, and not exactly what is left pleasant aftertaste and good mood. The second time here I hardly go, but I have no regrets about visiting. I haven’t seen anything like this before. Although I do not recommend looking very sensitive, then you will not fall asleep.
I did not leave the question, why? Why did they do it? What should it was to be in people’s heads to stack pyramids of bones and to decorate the room with skulls? Some unhealthy understanding “beautiful”, which is not available to me. You can certainly postebatsya above the chandeliers and candlesticks of skulls, to recall poor Yorick, but not worth it. These are the bones of once living people. Fair saying, to me, the “design” of the interior seemed disgusting itself an idea.
Kostnice in Kutna Hora, surrounded by a cemetery
Kostnitsa in the Czech Republic, we go inside
Bone pyramids
Skulls with holes in the head
Schwarzenberg family coat of arms
The second floor of the church is more classical
There is a version that an ossuary in this form was made to show people how our lives are transient and fragile and warn against new wars. But it is rather a legend and does not agree with official historical version. But as far as I understand, documents confirming 100% this or that point of view, not preserved.
Around the bone is a cemetery. Graves are all in well-kept condition and with flowers. Who is buried there, I do not know, but there are not only old dates (19th century), but absolutely fresh ones (20-21 centuries).
Now inside the church are the remains of 40 thousand people, and how many are still buried in the cemetery outside the graves only God knows. Excavations around the church go to this day and new ones are extracted. remains.
Church of the Exaltation of the Mother of God at the crossroads near information center
History reference
The correct name of the kostnitse – Cemetery Church of All Saints. It was built in 1400 in the center of the cemetery at the monastery. At that time the cemetery was extremely popular with local residents due to the fact that two centuries earlier it was scattered the holy land brought from Calvary. People from Central Europe categorically sought to rest in the holy land, which is why cemetery has grown enormously and overflowed.
Given the events of these two centuries (war and plague), people died thousands and the cemetery had to be dug out many times, to extract ancient remains and free up space for new graves. Remains it was impossible to throw out, therefore a half-blind monk serving in this church, processed bones in a special solution and folded from there are pyramids (only 6 pyramids). Why did he decide to do this instead traditionally stored in basements, no one knows
In the 19th century, the church was bought by Prince Schwarzenberg. He didn’t like the interior of the church and he hired Frantisek Ring, a carver on the tree so that it makes the interior more gothic. Master took the order in his own way and it was he who added the pyramids of bones new interior details that we see now. Family coat of arms Schwarzenberg, chandeliers, candlesticks and so on.
Information to visit
Entrance fee – 90 CZK. You do not need to buy a ticket at the entrance to bone marrow, and at the information center’s ticket office, it’s 5 minutes away. Pointers are, do not get confused.
Opening hours from 9 to 18 hours. Last ticket will be sold in 17.45.
At the entrance to the church you can buy an unusual souvenir – a skull from clay Attached is a certificate for export abroad, so you can not worry that you will be delayed in the inspection at the airport. Although an amateur souvenir.
Right next to the Lego Museum. A bit strange was to see him here in such a neighborhood. But there probably just makes sense to send children, while parents go to look at the bone store.
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- Infocenter where you need to buy a ticket
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- Cost of ticket to Kostnitsa
Almost opposite the information center there is a pub. It looks very simple inside is not very clean, but they cook right in front of you (the kitchen can be seen) and cook well. The price tag after Prague, too, will please. At least I really liked chicken schnitzel with french fries, and a portion great. Of the minuses for me, in addition to the cleanliness of the tables, do not take card, pay only cash.
What else to see in Kutna Hora
Once Kutna Hora was the second largest city in the Czech Republic and the richest city in Europe, as there were silver mines. And after the plague, when most of the townspeople died, the town became provincial, which he remains to this day. Really, being in it and not even think about it.
St. Barbara’s Cathedral (Barbara) – a sample of Gothic architecture, main attraction of the city. Located near Kostnitsa. Built on the donations of rich citizens, built 500 years.
Plague column – symbolizes the plea of the city inhabitants ending the plague epidemic, which claimed 6 thousand people. Number dead killed on the pillar. At that time, medicine was powerless against the plague, there was no sewage and the waste flowed through the streets, spreading the disease further. The pillar is on Wenceslas square.
The Жleba Castle is a neo-Gothic architecture building surrounded by English park. Inside the castle lives the ghost of a governess in black dress, arranged collections of crystal, painting, knight armor.
How to get there
It is most convenient to get to Kutna Hora by rented car. But this is if you are going to later on the neighborhood Prague ride or even planned a trip to the Czech Republic.
Otherwise, go to the main railway station in Prague and From there, go to the Kutna Hora stop. Travel time a little more 1 hours The cost of a one-way ticket is 103-115 CZK (can be bought immediately back and forth).
At the station there is a board with a schedule, which will be indicated platform where your train is coming from. The cashier can also tell the platform. I looked at the schedule on Google Maps (built a route to The ossaries), but in fact it turned out that he does not always accurately indicate time. Therefore, the official website of the Czech Railways to you in help. On the main page on the right, immediately choose from where and where drive and everything. There you can buy a ticket via the Internet. Straight lines direct trains go somewhere every 1-2 hours.
From Kutna Hora station, walk 15-20 minutes, no more, there near. If there is a card, then navigate through it. And just You will pass by the information center.
On the way back, you may have to buy a ticket on the train. So and did not understand whether they are selling at the station. At 6 pm the station was already is closed.
On the map
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