The Sedlec Ossuary (Czech: Kostnice v Sedlci; German: Sedletz-Beinhaus) is a small Roman Catholic chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints (Czech: Hřbitovní kostel Všech Svatých), part of the former Sedlec Abbey in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. The ossuary is estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, whose bones have, in many cases, been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel. The ossuary is among the most visited tourist attractions of the Czech Republic - attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. Four enormous bell-shaped mounds occupy the corners of the chapel. An enormous chandelier of bones, which contains at least one of every bone in the human body, hangs from the center of the nave with garlands of skulls draping the vault. Other works include piers and monstrances flanking the altar, a coat of arms of the House of Schwarzenberg, and the signature of František Rint, also executed in bone, on the wall near the entrance. In 1278, Henry, the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Sedlec, was sent to the Holy Land by King Otakar II of Bohemia. He returned with a small amount of earth he had removed from Golgotha and sprinkled it over the abbey cemetery. The word of this pious act soon spread and the cemetery in Sedlec became a desirable burial site throughout Central Europe. In the mid 14th century, during the Black Death, and after the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, many thousands were buried in the abbey cemetery, so it had to be greatly enlarged. Around 1400, a Gothic church was built in the center of the cemetery with a vaulted upper level and a lower chapel to be used as an ossuary for the mass graves unearthed during construction, or simply slated for demolition to make room for new burials. After 1511, the task of exhuming skeletons and stacking their bones in the chapel was given to a half-blind monk of the order. Between 1703 and 1710, a new entrance was constructed to support the front wall, which was leaning outward, and the upper chapel was rebuilt. This work, in the Czech Baroque style, was designed by Jan Santini Aichel. In 1870, František Rint, a woodcarver, was employed by the Schwarzenberg family to put the bone heaps into order, yielding a macabre result. The signature of Rint, also executed in bone, appears on the wall near the entrance to the chapel. n 1970, the centenary of Rint's contributions, Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer was commissioned to document the ossuary. The result was a 10-minute-long frantic-cut film of skeletal images overdubbed with an actual tour-guide's neutral voice narration. This version was initially banned by the Czech Communist authorities for alleged subversion, and the soundtrack was replaced by a brief spoken introduction and a jazz arrangement by Zdeněk Liška of the poem "Comment dessiner le portrait d'un oiseau" ("How to Draw the Portrait of a Bird") by Jacques Prévert. Since the Velvet Revolution, the original tour guide soundtrack has been made available. In the documentary Long Way Round, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman stop to see this church. Dan Cruickshank also views the church in his Adventures in Architecture. The ossuary is a major plot device in the John Connolly novel The Black Angel. The ossuary is used as a location for the Dungeons & Dragons movie and the movie Blood & Chocolate. The ossuary was also featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not and is described by Cara Seymour in the final scene of the film Adaptation. The ossuary was also the influence for Dr. Satan's lair in the Rob Zombie film House of 1000 Corpses.

Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice Sedlec) Tours and Tickets
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The Sedlec Ossuary (Czech: Kostnice v Sedlci; German: Sedletz-Beinhaus) is a small Roman Catholic chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints (Czech: Hřbitovní kostel Všech Svatých), part of the former Sedlec Abbey in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. The ossuary is estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, whose bones have, in many cases, been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel. The ossuary is among the most visited tourist attractions of the Czech Republic - attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. Four enormous bell-shaped mounds occupy the corners of the chapel. An enormous chandelier of bones, which contains at least one of every bone in the human body, hangs from the center of the nave with garlands of skulls draping the vault. Other works include piers and monstrances flanking the altar, a coat of arms of the House of Schwarzenberg, and the signature of František Rint, also executed in bone, on the wall near the entrance. In 1278, Henry, the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Sedlec, was sent to the Holy Land by King Otakar II of Bohemia. He returned with a small amount of earth he had removed from Golgotha and sprinkled it over the abbey cemetery. The word of this pious act soon spread and the cemetery in Sedlec became a desirable burial site throughout Central Europe. In the mid 14th century, during the Black Death, and after the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, many thousands were buried in the abbey cemetery, so it had to be greatly enlarged. Around 1400, a Gothic church was built in the center of the cemetery with a vaulted upper level and a lower chapel to be used as an ossuary for the mass graves unearthed during construction, or simply slated for demolition to make room for new burials. After 1511, the task of exhuming skeletons and stacking their bones in the chapel was given to a half-blind monk of the order. Between 1703 and 1710, a new entrance was constructed to support the front wall, which was leaning outward, and the upper chapel was rebuilt. This work, in the Czech Baroque style, was designed by Jan Santini Aichel. In 1870, František Rint, a woodcarver, was employed by the Schwarzenberg family to put the bone heaps into order, yielding a macabre result. The signature of Rint, also executed in bone, appears on the wall near the entrance to the chapel. n 1970, the centenary of Rint's contributions, Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer was commissioned to document the ossuary. The result was a 10-minute-long frantic-cut film of skeletal images overdubbed with an actual tour-guide's neutral voice narration. This version was initially banned by the Czech Communist authorities for alleged subversion, and the soundtrack was replaced by a brief spoken introduction and a jazz arrangement by Zdeněk Liška of the poem "Comment dessiner le portrait d'un oiseau" ("How to Draw the Portrait of a Bird") by Jacques Prévert. Since the Velvet Revolution, the original tour guide soundtrack has been made available. In the documentary Long Way Round, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman stop to see this church. Dan Cruickshank also views the church in his Adventures in Architecture. The ossuary is a major plot device in the John Connolly novel The Black Angel. The ossuary is used as a location for the Dungeons & Dragons movie and the movie Blood & Chocolate. The ossuary was also featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not and is described by Cara Seymour in the final scene of the film Adaptation. The ossuary was also the influence for Dr. Satan's lair in the Rob Zombie film House of 1000 Corpses.
Overview
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- There is an admission charge for visiting Sedlec Ossuary, and combination tickets for other Kutná Hora attractions are available.
- Although there is no official dress code, modest attire is recommended when visiting the church and cemetery.
- Sedlec Ossuary is wheelchair accessible via an elevator.
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For Individuals with Hearing Loss
- Video Guide
- Hearing kits
- Speech To Text
Access for Seniors
- Distance from drop-off location to entrance: Less than 20 m
- Recommended time for visit 1 hour
- Recommended time for visit 2 hours
- Physical difficulty level - 3
Accessibility for wheels
- Special Parking
- Access with Portable Ramp
- Bathroom: Too narrow for wheelchair
- Wide doors >= 75 cm and < 90 cm
Access for Visually Impaired
- Audio Guide
- Place has Special Guide Service
- Service animals permitted
As you step into the Sedlec Ossuary, a chill runs down your spine, the air heavy with the weight of history and reverence. The soft patter of your footsteps echoes off the walls lined with bones, creating a haunting melody that seems to speak of the passage of time.
The dim lighting casts long shadows, illuminating the macabre artistry of the bones. Skulls stare back at you from every corner, their hollow sockets seemingly filled with the stories of countless souls. The intricate designs crafted from femurs and finger bones mesmerize you, each one a testament to the skill and dedication of the unknown artists who toiled in the shadows of death.
As you move deeper into the ossuary, the smell of earth and decay mingles with the faint scent of incense, creating a sensory symphony that evokes both revulsion and reverence. Your fingers brush against cold, smooth bone, sending shivers down your spine as you contemplate the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
In a quiet alcove, a single candle flickers, casting a warm, flickering light that seems to push back the darkness. You pause, feeling a sense of peace wash over you as you pay homage to the souls whose final resting place this has become. In this moment of stillness, you feel connected to something greater than yourself, a part of the timeless cycle of life and death.
As you make your way back towards the entrance, the weight of the ossuary’s history hangs heavy on your heart. You are filled with a mix of emotions - sadness for the lives lost, awe at the beauty created from something so inherently tragic, and gratitude for the opportunity to bear witness to this unique and somber place.
The Sedlec Ossuary has left its mark on you, its haunting beauty and profound solemnity forever etched into your soul. You emerge from its depths, forever changed by the emotional journey you have undertaken, carrying with you a deeper appreciation for the fragility and beauty of life.
The Sedlec Ossuary in Prague does not have specific information available regarding the availability of audio descriptive guides or sensory-friendly hours. Visitors with accessibility needs are advised to contact the ossuary directly for more information on any accommodations that may be available.
The Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is a unique and somewhat eerie attraction located in the small town of Kutná Hora, just outside of Prague. This ossuary is decorated with the bones of over 40,000 human skeletons, arranged in elaborate patterns and designs. While some may find this macabre display unsettling, many locals appreciate the ossuary for its historical significance and artistic value.
Local artist Veronika, who grew up in the area, shared her thoughts on the Sedlec Ossuary: "As an artist, I am always drawn to places that challenge traditional notions of beauty and provoke thought. The Bone Church is a perfect example of this. The way the bones are arranged to create intricate patterns and designs is truly remarkable. It’s a reminder of our mortality and the fragility of life, but also a celebration of human creativity and ingenuity."
Veronika also mentioned that many locals view the ossuary as a symbol of the town’s rich history and cultural heritage. "Kutná Hora has a long and fascinating history, and the Bone Church is a testament to that. It’s a place where the past is literally woven into the present, and serves as a reminder of the cycles of life and death that have shaped our community over the centuries."
Writer Jan, who has studied the history of the Sedlec Ossuary extensively, shared his insights: "The Bone Church is a complex and multifaceted site that has sparked many debates and interpretations over the years. Some see it as a memento mori, a reminder of our mortality and the transience of life. Others view it as a work of art, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and macabre decoration. And for some, it’s simply a tourist attraction, a curiosity to be visited and photographed."
Jan emphasized the importance of approaching the ossuary with respect and an open mind. "The Sedlec Ossuary is a place of great cultural and historical significance, and it’s essential to engage with it thoughtfully and empathetically. Whether you see it as a religious site, a historical relic, or a work of art, the Bone Church has much to teach us about the human experience and our relationship to death and memory."
Overall, the Sedlec Ossuary continues to intrigue and fascinate both locals and visitors alike, serving as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of life and death, and the enduring power of art and creativity.
### Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice Sedlec), Prague: Directions and Transportation
Located in the town of Kutná Hora, Sedlec Ossuary is easily accessible from Prague by train, bus, or car. Here are comprehensive transportation options:
- Train: From Prague Main Train Station (Praha hlavní nádraží), take a direct train to Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží. The journey takes around 1 hour. From the train station, Sedlec Ossuary is a 15-minute walk.
- Bus: Regular buses run from Prague to Kutná Hora. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. From Kutná Hora bus station, it’s a short bus ride or a 20-minute walk to Sedlec Ossuary.
- Car: If driving, take the D11 highway from Prague to Kutná Hora. There is parking available near Sedlec Ossuary.
- Accessibility: The ossuary is not wheelchair accessible due to its historic nature and narrow stairways.
### Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice Sedlec), Prague: Ticket Booking and Discounts
- Booking: Tickets can be purchased on-site at the entrance. Online booking may be available through third-party websites for guided tours.
- Discounts: Some discounts may be available for students, seniors, and families. Check the official website or inquire at the ticket counter for any ongoing promotions.
### Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice Sedlec), Prague: Local Amenities
- Parking: Free parking is available near the ossuary, but it can get crowded during peak hours.
- Restrooms: Restroom facilities are available within walking distance of the ossuary.
- Dining: There are nearby cafes and restaurants where you can grab a meal or snack. Options for different dietary needs may vary, so it’s advisable to inquire about menu options before dining.