- Address: Barborská, 284 01 Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 775 363 938
- Website: khfarnost.cz
- Start of construction: 1388.
- Denomination: Roman Catholic
- Diocese of Hradec Kralove
- Building Type: Basilica
- Style: Gothic architecture
The symbol of the Czech city of Kutna Hora is deservedly considered the Cathedral of St. Barbara - one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Europe. This unusual building, erected in the late Gothic style, is a famous architectural monument of the Czech Republic.
History of the temple
The Cathedral of St. Barbara was built on the means of the wealthy inhabitants of the city of Kutna Hora. Since most of the townspeople were miners who mined silver, the temple was named in honor of the Great Martyr Barbara, the patroness of mountaineers, firemen and miners. It was assumed that the cathedral would be the embodiment of the reluctance of residents to obey the religious affairs of the nearby Sedletsky Monastery. Because of the obstacles that were created by the leadership of the monastery, the church was laid outside the city.
Its construction was started in 1388. Local residents wanted their temple to eclipse the famous Prague cathedral of St. Vitus by its beauty and grandeur, and invited to lead the construction of Jan Parlerzha, the son of the famous architect. Works on the construction of the cathedral successfully continued until the beginning of the Hussite wars. Military operations suspended construction for a long 60 years, and it continued only in 1482. Gradually, under the leadership of several architects, the temple acquired the outline of the building that we see today. But in 1558, due to lack of finance, the construction was again stopped, and the last changes were made already in 1905. In 1995, the Cathedral of St. Barbara in the Czech Republic was listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage.
What is interesting about the temple?
The interior of the cathedral impresses not only with its splendor, but also with unique details that are not found in any Catholic church:
- The main altar of St. Barbara's Cathedral, executed in the Neo-Gothic style, is located under the ancient mesh vaults of the building. It was established in 1905 and is the latest building in the temple. It depicts the scene of the Last Supper and the face of St. Barbara.
- Medieval murals . They see not the usual scenes from the Holy Scripture, but images depicting the lives of citizens, the work of chasers, miners, the history of the creation of the temple.
- A figurine of a miner in a white cloak . Sometimes it is mistaken for a sculpture of a monk, but such white clothes were worn by miners, so that in case of a collision in the face, workers would be easier to find.
- The coats of arms depicted on the ceiling of the temple belonged to those rich families of the inhabitants of Kutna Hora, on whose money this cathedral was erected.
- Places for executioners . Services of people of this profession were very expensive, and not every city could afford to keep them. However, the wealthy Kutná Hora paid for several executioners, for whom honorary seats were reserved in the parish hall.
- Booths for confession . In an ordinary Catholic church there is one, at most two such secluded premises. But not far from St. Barbara's Cathedral in Kutná Hora there was a Jesuit college. His students often did not behave properly, so there were plenty of people willing to confess and purify themselves of their sins.
- The baroque organ is another distinctive attraction of St. Barbara's Cathedral. Created in the XVIII century by the master Jan Tucek, this tool is located on the balcony of the main portal. His music turns the temple with great acoustics into a truly unearthly place. Today, organ music concerts are held here.
- The ceiling and walls of the cathedral are decorated with very original images for the temple: chimeras, bats, harpy.
- Bright stained glass windows with original subjects, luxurious altars, filigree pulpit, lined with wooden decorations - all this amazes the imagination of anyone who visited this cathedral.
- The exterior of the cathedral , especially its upper part, is decorated with sculptures of demons, satirical figures and even monkeys.
How to get to St. Barbara's Cathedral?
This temple is located in the center of Kutna Hora , next to the river. If you arrived in the city by train, then from the railway station to the church you can get on the regular bus F01 or take a taxi. But the most convenient mode of transport for tourists in the city is a tourist bus, which runs from the station to the Cathedral of St. Barbara. The fare is 35 CZK or $ 1.6.
Helpful information
The cost of admission to the Cathedral of St. Barbara:
- for adults - 85 CZK or about $ 4;
- for the elderly and students - 65 CZK or about $ 3;
- for children from 6 to 15 years - 40 CZK, which is almost $ 2;
- Children younger than 6 years of age are admitted for free.
Opening hours of the temple:
- from November to March - from 10:00 to 16:00;
- from April to October - from 09:00 to 18:00.