Kutna Hora

Last Wednesday NanJan and I travelled 1 hour east to the old silver mining town of Kutna Hora. In the C14th it was the second largest town in Bohemia, after Prague, supplying one third of European Silver.

Sites of Kutna Hora:
Cathedral of Saint Barbora (patron saint of miners)
Built over 500 years, completed in 1905. The progress depended on the prosperity of the miners, as it was largely constructed under their patronage, who wanted their own religious autonomy seperate from the Sedlec Monastery(see next entry).
The main nave was begun in 1388 and is vaulted differently to the rest of the church. The frescoes in this area also date back to the late 1300 - early 1400's and include the patron's family and the Arrival of the Queen of Saba. The painted stained glass windows(like those of St Vitus) are dated early 1900's and are stunning.
The work stopped on the cathedral for over 70 years until after the Hussite Wars, starting to build again in 1482. Construction progressed in French Renaissance style including the latest in vaulted ceilings. The frescoes on these walls depict mining and the medieval striking of coins. The statues included the miners in traditional miners clothes (white robes with leather ties that extend down the backside so that the miner could slide into the mines). All the walls, including the columns, show remnants of being painted.

Jesuit College and Sculptures with St Barbora in background

St James Church from Jesuit College



St James