Wednesday, 26 June 2019

CZECH REPUBLIC - KUTNA HORA

Kutna Hora, the city of silver, rightly earned the second nickname " treasury of the country" . The wealth acquired through silver mining helped to bring about an economic boom for the Kingdom of Bohemia.

A unique structure which will ensure that your visit to this royal city is a memorable experience is the Late Gothic Church of St Barbara, dedicated to the patron saint of miners. This architectural and ecclesiastical jewel was constructed by master builders over a period of more than 500 years and is symbol of the power and importance of this mining town. Another architectural gem is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist in Sedlec, known as the " Cathedral of light " due to its huge windows. The prominent Czech architect Jan Blazej Santini-  Aichl took part in its reconstruction in the Baroque -Gothic style.

On a visit to the city, make sure not to miss the magnificent Stone Fountain and the Italian Court, which served as the central mint and a residence of Czech kings. At the Czech Museum Of Silver, a lively presentation will acquaint you with the history of silver mining here. As part of the tour, you will descend - equipped only with a portable light, a helmet and a miner's tunic - through a 250 metre corridor of a medieval mine.

The historical core of the city, together with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist , is listed as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

REASON TO VISIT
Kutna Hora has an ossuary which is unique in the world. Its decoration was created from the bones of nearly 40000  people from a liquidated cemetery. The ossuary is located in the underground part of the church in the Sedlec district of the city. After the abolition of the local monastery , the church and the ossuary passed into the possession of the Orlik branch of the Schwarzenberg family, who initiated the modification of the underground chapel's decoration into its present form.

The Royal Silvering is a historical celebration that reenacts a visit by the Czech and Roman King Wenceslas IV to Kutna Hora. A procession including members  of the court , knights , burghers and miners in historical attire passes through the city several times a day for an entire weekend. The atmosphere is enhanced by jousting tournaments , a historical market, courtly festivities and fireworks. It is held each year in June.

A major attraction in Kutna Hora is the Gallery of the Central Bohemia Region (GASK) in the former Jesuit college. Devoted mainly to the presentation of Czech modern art of the 19th and 20th centuries , GASK also presents exhibitions of contemporary art.


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