15/06/2024
Explore the beauty of the Czech Republic with us.
Kutná Hora
The Church of St. Barbara
The construction of this five-aisle late Gothic cathedral on a promontory that rose above the Vrchlice River behind the city walls began in 1388. Originally there was a chapel dedicated to St. Barbara. This early Christian martyr, who can be recognised on statues by the fact that she is wearing a cup and usually has a tower with three windows as a symbol of the Trinity, is the patron saint of all those who have a dangerous profession - including miners. And it was they who contributed most to the flourishing of this town in the Middle Ages and to the construction of Kutná Hora Cathedral. This jewel of Gothic architecture, which can compete with the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, proves how rich and pious this town was.
In the beginning, the construction of the cathedral was carried out by the famous Parléř factory under the leadership of Jan Parléř, the son of the famous Peter Parléř. Later, Benedikt Ried, who, among other things, created the concept of the present three tent roofs, was involved in the construction of the cathedral. After mining in the town finally ceased in 1558 because the silver ran out, the construction of the cathedral also ceased. Thus, only a temporary wall was built on the west side, leaving the church about half the original length. Over the following centuries, only maintenance work was carried out on the cathedral. The inventory was also replaced, as the original one had been looted by the Hussites. The present-day appearance of the church, which is also due to the purist Josef Mocker, who re-credited the church, dates from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Since 1995, the church has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Services are held here every Sunday at 7:00 am and on special occasions.
Our tour will continue at the beginning of Barbora Street, which is known for its large number of historical statues.
https://praguebus.tours/en/sightseeing-tours/prague-to-kutna-hora-bone/
