Kutna Hora is a silver mining town established in 1142 with the first Cistercian Monastery in Bohemia. Together with the Sedlec Ossuary it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The earliest traces of silver have been found dating back to the 10th century, when Bohemia already had been in the crossroads of long-distance trade for many centuries. Silver dinars have been discovered belonging to the period between 982-995 in the settlement of Malín, which is now a part of Kutná Hora. From the 13th to 16th centuries the city competed with Prague economically, culturally and politically.
The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist is a baroque-style church built in a gothic style at the end of the 13th-century.
The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady
Can't make out what this is, but it was near the silver mine.
Stone Fountain - was built in 1495 and sometimes it is also ascribed to Matyas Rejsek. This polygonal structure that was originally decorated by a number of statues stands at a beautiful location on a small square surrounded by a splendid complex of burgher houses. Kutna Hora was always lacking in Kutná Hora, therefore bringing a rich spring through a system of wooden pipes right into the heart of the town was a creditable effort.
The Stone Fountain
Saint Barbara's Church (often incorrectly Saint Barbara Cathedral) is one of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (among others), which was highly appropriate for a town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines.
Our first view of the St Barbara's Church
The quaint town
The monumental Jesuit College was build according to plans by the famous Baroque architect Domenico Orsi just next to St. Barbara’s Cathedral between 1667 and 1703. The appearance is quite austere, complying to Jesuit principles, only the front façade resembles Italian palaces of the early Baroque period. The artificial terrace in front of the College was enclosed by a low wall with 13 sculptures of saints favoured by the Jesuits. It was designed as a free resemblance of the Charles Bridge in Prague.
The terrace with its statues of the saints
Am not sure what this beautiful building is but I think it was the Prince's house
Don't miss the tour of the silver mines as well. Overall a very nice day trip from Prague.
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