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Sedlec Ossuary is a small Roman Catholic chapel located in the town of Kutná Hora, at the church of All Saints Czech Republic. The chapel is also known as the "Church of Bones", as it is decorated with the remains of over 40,000 human skeletons.
Yes! You read that right, After an hour-long train travel from Prague, tourists arrive daily at this attraction, which is surprisingly the second-most visited place in the Czech Republic.
Interesting History:
You might be curious as to how so many bones ended up in a tiny chapel in the Czech Republic. It all began in 1278 when the Bohemian King sent the Sedlec Cistercian Monastery's abbot to Jerusalem.
The "Holy Soil," or soil from Golgotha, had been brought by the abbot when he returned. As word spread, the Sedlec cemetery became one of the most well-liked cemeteries in the area. Soon, Sedlec became the burial destination of choice for people from all over. As a result, there needed to be cemetery expansion.
Millions of people died when the Black Death swept over Europe in the fourteenth century. In order to make way for future burials, the bones of the deceased were exhumed once the Sedlec cemetery got overcrowded. Over time, the piles of bones in the chapel were arranged into magnificent decorations.
A Gothic church with an ossuary in its basement was constructed close to the cemetery in the fifteenth century. The bones remained there for many years until Frantisek Rint, a woodcarver, was hired in 1870 to arrange the bones. He succeeded and did a great job.
The interior is made up of real human bones and skulls:
The chapel's interior is a masterwork of the macabre. Bones are arranged in complex designs and used as decorations on the walls and ceiling. Even the coat of arms is constructed entirely of bones, and there are bone chandeliers hanging from the roof.
Frantisek Rint utilized the bones to adorn the holy area after bleaching and carving them. For the doors leading into rooms, Rint constructed chains out of skulls. Chalices and crosses were crafted from hips and femurs. Even a detailed family crest that expresses gratitude to the aristocratic family who provided funding for the project is displayed on a wall.
The massive chandelier, however, which is supposed to contain every bone in the human body at least once, is the Sedjec Ossuary's showpiece. You can also spot candles light up from the skulls over there.
In addition to the decorative items, there are various bone sculptures. The Schwarzenberg coat of arms, which hangs on the chapel wall and is composed entirely of bones, is the most well-known of these.
Despite its ghastly exterior, Sedlec Ossuary is a well-liked tourist attraction. The church attracts visitors from all around the world who marvel at the beautiful bone decorations. In fact, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Czech Republic is this church.
Anyone with an interest in history, art, or the darkest aspects of human nature should visit it. Overall, Sedlec Ossuary offers a variety of experiences: for some, it is a place of peace, for others, it is a place of anxiety.
How to reach and booking details:
Train travel from Prague to Kutná Hora is the most practical mode of public transport. The ossuary is close to the major station, which can be reached by direct train in about 50 minutes. You can now book tickets online as well.
Ticket price:
INR 777 per person (Skip the line + Audio guide)
Timings:
From April to September: 9:00 to 18:00
From October to March: 9:00 to 17:00
From November to February: 9:00 to 16:00.
Please note that on Christmas, it will be closed and ticket prices and timings are subject to change. Hence, it is advisable to check with the official source before planning a visit to Sedlec Ossuary.
