Less than an hour from Prague by train is one of the most surprising day trips in the Czech Republic: Kutná Hora. This small UNESCO World Heritage town was one of the richest in medieval Europe thanks to its silver mines. Today it has spectacular architecture and one of the strangest sights in the country: an ossuary decorated with the bones of more than 40,000 people.
How to get from Prague to Kutná Hora
The easiest and cheapest way is by train from Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží):
- Travel time: about 50 minutes to Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží station.
- Frequency: several trains a day, roughly every hour.
- Price: a round-trip ticket usually costs around €4–6 per person.
- Important: the train station is about 2 km from the historic center and the Ossuary. From the station you can take a local bus or a short taxi ride, or walk (about 25–30 minutes).
If you’d rather not deal with timetables and connections, there are also organized full-day tours with transportation and a guide, with pickup in central Prague.
What to see in Kutná Hora
- Sedlec Ossuary (the “Bone Church”): the town’s most famous sight. This small Gothic chapel is decorated with the bones of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, arranged into chandeliers, garlands and even a full coat of arms. Its story goes back to the 14th century, when the cemetery next to it became one of the most sought-after in Central Europe after holy soil from Jerusalem was scattered there.
- St. Barbara’s Cathedral: one of the most impressive Gothic churches in the Czech Republic, as beautiful as St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague but with far fewer tourists. It was paid for by the town’s silver miners and dedicated to their patron saint.
- Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr): the former royal mint and palace where medieval Czech coins, the famous Prague groschen, were struck from local silver.
- Historic center: walking its cobbled streets, much quieter than Prague’s, gives you a sense of what a wealthy medieval Czech town looked like, without the capital’s crowds.
How much time do you need?
A full day is more than enough to see the main sights at a relaxed pace: the Ossuary, St. Barbara’s Cathedral and a walk through the historic center. If you leave Prague early in the morning, you’ll be back in the city for dinner.
Practical tips
- The Ossuary has limited capacity and can close temporarily for maintenance, so check the current hours before you go.
- Be respectful inside the Ossuary: it’s a sacred place, not just a tourist attraction.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll walk between the main sights in the center.
- In high season, consider taking one of the first morning trains to beat the tour groups at the Ossuary.
Our advice
Kutná Hora is the perfect escape if you’ve already spent a few days in Prague and want to see something different without going far. If you’re still planning your time in the capital, start with our Prague itinerary for 2, 3 or 4 days, and join one of our free walking tours before you head out on this day trip.
