Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church)
Středočeský kraj
The Sedlec Ossuary, often called the Bone Church, is a small Roman Catholic chapel located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints in Sedlec, part of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. This extraordinary chapel is renowned for its interior decoration made almost entirely of human skeletons, artistically arranged to form chandeliers, coats of arms, and other ornamental features. The ossuary contains the remains of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people, exhumed during the 14th century after the Black Death and Hussite Wars. The current bone arrangements were created in the 1870s by a woodcarver named František Rint, who transformed the macabre into a unique work of art. The chapel's Gothic architecture contrasts strikingly with the eerie yet fascinating bone decorations, making it a compelling site for visitors interested in history, art, and cultural reflections on mortality. The Sedlec Ossuary is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kutná Hora, adding to its cultural significance. Visitors often find the atmosphere both solemn and awe-inspiring, as it reflects medieval attitudes toward death and the afterlife. It remains one of the most unusual and memorable religious sites in Europe.
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Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds, especially during peak tourist season. Guided tours are available and recommended to fully appreciate the history and symbolism of the bone decorations. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Photography is permitted but without flash to preserve the delicate artifacts.
Interesting facts
- •The ossuary contains the bones of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people.
- •The bone chandelier in the chapel contains at least one of every bone in the human body.
- •František Rint, a woodcarver, was the artist responsible for arranging the bones in the 1870s.
- •The chapel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kutná Hora.
- •The Sedlec Ossuary is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Czech Republic.
History
The Sedlec Ossuary's origins date back to the 13th century when an abbot brought soil from Golgotha, making the cemetery a desirable burial site.
After the Black Death in the mid-14th century and the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, the cemetery became overcrowded, and many skeletons were exhumed and stored in the chapel.
In the 1870s, František Rint was commissioned to artistically arrange the bones, creating the unique decorations seen today.
The chapel has since become a symbol of medieval memento mori traditions and a significant cultural landmark.
Place Guide
Bone Chandelier
A massive chandelier made from human bones, reputed to contain every bone in the human body, hanging centrally in the chapel.
Coat of Arms of the Schwarzenberg Family
An intricate coat of arms made entirely from bones, representing the noble family that once owned the ossuary.
Altar and Bone Decorations
The altar is surrounded by bone decorations, including garlands and other motifs that emphasize the chapel's theme of mortality.
Contact
Phone: 326 551 049
