In a previous
post, I sang the praises and pleasures of traveling to Prague, in the Czech
Republic. If you want to get even more out of your trip to the Czech Republic,
and you are fascinated with the bizarre or macabre, you simply must take a day
trip to Kutna Hora.
Situated about
90 minutes outside of Prague, this town is famous for its Sedlec Ossuary, more
commonly known by tourists as the Bone Church. Built in the 13th
century, this small Roman Catholic Church was not much different than many
other churches that were established across Europe during the period. However,
because the abbot of the Sedlec Monastery had sprinkled the grounds with soil
from Palestine, this church was considered very holy ground and was a popular
burial spot for Czech residents.
Image source: ArmchairTravelogue.Blogspot.com
However, during
the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, the demand for burials in
this sacred spot outstripped the available plots in which to bury the dead. In
order to accommodate the desire to be buried in holy soil, they began digging
up previous corpses and started to decorate the church with those skulls and
bones.
As you walk into
the little church today, you will be awestruck by the walls, chalices, and even
a chandelier, that are decorated with the bones and skulls of previously
departed souls. It feels cold upon entry, even on a hot summer day, and you
will probably remain speechless as you walk around this rather spooky chapel.
Image source:
OpenTheVox.Wordpress.com
While this is
not the only tourist spot outside of Prague that is worth visiting, you can
certainly say that it is the most unusual place to visit, perhaps in all of
Europe. It is definitely worth the time to visit and explore. However, I would
not recommend you spend the night inside it, unless you are an uncommonly brave
adventurer! (Just kidding: it is only open during the daytime.)
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