Day Trip from Prague: Visiting the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora

Hey, it’s Ana here. Welcome to my travel blog, where I talk about places in Europe and beyond through my own experiences and observations.

I have always loved walking through cemeteries. If you have seen European cemeteries, you will understand why. They are often peaceful, well-kept parks with beautiful works of art. Most monuments follow Christian traditions, but sometimes you can see full-height statues of people or gravestones with unusual designs, interesting glass details, or rare types of stone. While walking there, you do not only enjoy the atmosphere and beauty, but also learn the stories of people who once lived in these places, sometimes many centuries ago. In Europe, many cemeteries still preserve graves of well-known figures. One example we saw was in Göttingen, where the grave of the mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss is still there. I find this both interesting and educational. It also reminds us that life is not endless and that it is important to live in the moment, here and now.

During a Christmas trip to Prague, I went even further than before and brought myself to one of the most unusual places I have ever visited: the famous Bone Church in Kutná Hora. What makes it so special? Take a look and see for yourself!

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The Bone Church I’m talking about today is located in the town of Kutná Hora, not far from Prague, and it belongs to the Church of All Saints. In Czech, it is called the Kostnice, which means an ossuary – a place where human bones are stored.

There are some interesting stories about why this cemetery became so important. Legend has it that in the 13th century, a monk from the local monastery brought a small bag of holy soil from Jerusalem and scattered it over the cemetery. This made the cemetery very prestigious, and many people wanted to be buried there. Nobles even travelled from other European countries to secure a plot.

By the 16th century, after the plague and the Hussite Wars, the cemetery had grown so large that old bones were dug up and simply stacked in pyramids near the church because there was no other space for them. In the 1870s, František Rint organised the bones into the arrangements that can be seen today.

Kutná Hora is a city definitely worth visiting for a few days. It is historically one of the most important towns in the Czech Republic, with plenty to see: the St. Barbara’s Church, the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr), charming historic streets, and, of course, the Bone Church in Sedlec. However, during our Christmas trip, we had a very tight schedule. We spent three days in Prague and three days in Český Krumlov, visiting many places along the way. Seeing the Bone Church was high on our list, and many people had recommended it as an ideal day trip from Prague. I can completely agree with that advice. It’s very convenient: Kutná Hora is only 30–40 minutes by direct train from Prague, making the journey easy and stress-free.

Although we only visited for a day, I would love to stay in Kutná Hora for a few days next time. There is so much to explore, and the city also has some charming hotels that would make an overnight stay very enjoyable.

If you want to visit the Church of All Saints and the Bone Church independently, it is quite possible, though it can be a bit challenging if you don’t speak Czech.

We took the R9 train towards Brno from Prague’s main station, Hlavní Nádraží, and got off at Kutná Hora Hlavní Nádraží. Round-trip tickets for two people cost around 400 CZK (around €16 in 2025) and were purchased at the ticket office just before departure. The journey takes about 30–40 minutes, and trains run regularly throughout the day.

Travelling independently requires some attention: announcements on the train are not always in English, so it’s a good idea to follow the route on Maps.me or another navigation app to make sure you get off at the right station.

If you prefer a simpler option, especially if you are not confident navigating Czech trains, you can choose a guided tour from Prague. There are several possibilities:

I wouldn’t say that this trip shocked me. Of course, I had never seen so many real human bones displayed together before, but I certainly wasn’t about to faint. If you try not to focus on the fact that they are human remains, it is actually quite possible to walk around calmly and admire the way they have been arranged. The dim lighting also adds to the atmosphere, creating a mysterious and slightly eerie feeling, but much of the experience really depends on your own attitude and emotional threshold.

What makes this place truly remarkable is not simply that there are bones to see. In this ossuary, the bones are arranged into decorative objects – chandeliers, garlands, altars, candlesticks, and even the coat of arms of the noble Schwarzenberg family. Using the remains of around 40,000 people, František Rint turned them into extraordinary works of art.

One of the most famous features is the bone chandelier, which reportedly contains at least one of every bone in the human body. There are also pyramids of skulls and femurs, carefully arranged to create patterns, and smaller displays in the corners of the church that show delicate arrangements of bones in the shape of crosses or letters.

Even though the idea of decorating with human remains may seem macabre, the artistry and symmetry of the designs are truly impressive. Some of the bones are polished or carved, and the way the light falls on them in the dim interior adds a mysterious, almost reverent atmosphere.

The Bone Church is unusual, fascinating, and a little eerie – a combination of history, creativity, and the countless lives that once passed through this place. It’s a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

Tickets to Sedlec sights can only be purchased online or at the official Sedlec Information Centre located at Zámecká 279, Kutná Hora. There are several monuments in Sedlec, so it’s important to check carefully which ticket you are buying. A standard adult ticket to the Ossuary and the Cathedral costs around 220 CZK (approximately €9). To avoid scams and misleading platforms, make sure you buy your tickets only through the official website, or directly at the Sedlec Information Centre. There are many unofficial websites that look convincing but may sell incorrect or overpriced tickets. The online ticket to the Ossuary is valid at the selected time. Admission to the Cathedral is valid for 3 days from the date of admission to the Ossuary.

The Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church) and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady are the two main sights most visitors are interested in. Both are usually open daily, with opening hours typically from 9:00 to 16:00 in winter and longer hours during the warmer months. If you are visiting in winter, it’s best to arrive earlier in the day, as the Ossuary closes relatively early. 

Please note that photography inside the Ossuary has been strictly forbidden since 1 January 2020.

In my opinion, the Bone Church is definitely worth visiting, especially if you are already in Prague and looking for an unusual day trip. It’s not a place that will appeal to everyone, but that is exactly what makes it special.

If you are interested in history, unusual architecture, or places that make you reflect rather than simply entertain, this visit can be very meaningful. It doesn’t take long to explore, but it leaves a strong impression and stays with you long after you leave.

The Bone Church also works well as part of a day trip to Kutná Hora or as a short stop during a busy itinerary. For me, it was a unique experience and one that I would still recommend to travellers who are open-minded and curious about Europe’s more unusual sights.

Visiting the Bone Church in Kutná Hora is not just about seeing something unusual or ticking off another attraction on your list. It’s an experience that quietly stays with you. It makes you slow down, observe, and reflect — on history, on art, and on how many lives once passed through the same space you are standing in now.

For me, this place was not frightening or shocking, but thoughtful and strangely calm. It reminded me that travel is not only about beautiful views and cheerful moments, but also about understanding different perspectives and facing parts of history that are less comfortable, yet deeply human.

If you are open to places that go beyond the typical postcard image of Europe, the Bone Church is worth your time. Whether you visit it as a short day trip from Prague or as part of a longer stay in Kutná Hora, it will add depth and meaning to your journey — and perhaps leave you with more questions than answers, which is sometimes the best souvenir of all.