Hidden beneath a small chapel in Kutná Hora, Sedlec Ossuary fascinates visitors with its haunting history and extraordinary bone decorations.
Spooky, unusual, eerie, haunted, unique, oddly romantic, strange, exceptional. Whatever word you decide to use, all of them actually fit Sedlec Ossuary, better known as Bone Church. This relatively small chapel contains more than 40 000 bones, that are carefully piled up, creating wonderful/creepy (depending on the point of view) ornaments.
To people's surprise, visiting Bone Church in Sedlec, which is a small suburb of Kutna Hora, became a thing, and this attraction is nowadays on a bucket list of almost all first-time vistitors to Czechia. And we are quite glad because no matter how we think Prague is amazing, as locals, we are definitely convinced that other lesser-known, but equally wonderful places in this country deserve the attention of international travelers.
Visiting Bone Church is one of the best day trips from Prague, but there are a few things a traveler planning the journey needs to know. First of all, this Roman chapel is pretty small, and even if you take your time, you won't spend here more than twenty to thirty minutes.
That's why you should not plan your entire day only around Sedlec Ossuary, even though it is definitely a highlight, and you should explore the best things to do in Kutna Hora, a UNESCO city, that is nearby. We've just recently visited Sedlec Ossuary ourselves, and decided to put together this travel guide to make sure your trip will be as smooth as possible.
History of Sedlec Ossuary
When you see photos from the interior of Bone Church, your first question might be, who designed it and where the idea came from. There are a few similar places around the world where human bones are on display, but it is usually not a standard sight in the Czech Republic.
The history of Sedlec cemetery starts in 1278 when the abbot Henry returned from Jerusalem with a jar of earth from the Holy Land, and he scattered it over the cemetery. This act made from Sedlec a popular place where it was an honor to be buried.
The mid-14th century was not a happy time for Czech Lands, because of the plague and Hussite Wars, which have a consequence of many deaths, more than the local cemetery was able to contain. Also, at that time, a new chapel was built on the site, and many bones had to be dug up because of the construction and later were stored inside.
A legend says that in the 16th century, a half-blind monk started arranging the bones, but it was not until 1870 when Sedlec Ossuary started to get today's appearance. The man responsible for 'beautifully' designed bones was a woodcarver Frantisek Rint, and we can admire the unusual decoration even now, in the 21st century.
Visiting the Sedlec Bone Church
What can you expect from visiting Sedlec Ossuary? Once you enter the grounds you will appear on a fairly small cemetery surrounding the chapel. Once you reach the building, you can go either up or down. The main reason for your visit lies downstairs, so this is also where we headed first. A flight of stairs will take you into a fascinating room, that is full of bones.
Literally, bones are wherever you look. It takes a while to realize what you are actually seeing, and once you get used to it, you will be blown away by the incredible details. Everything is made of bones and skulls - smaller or larger pyramids, chandeliers, but also the coat of arms.
The room inside the chapel is quite small, so walk around slowly, and take in the unusual artwork, if we can call it so. Once you are done with the tour, do not forget to visit the chapel that is upstairs. It is modest but light, and it will bring you peace of mind, especially if you found visiting the ossuary disturbing.
When to Visit Bone Church in Sedlec
Is there anything else you should know about visiting the Bone Church? Because of the popularity of Bone Church, the ossuary can get often crowded, which can negatively affect your experience. Therefore, we recommend you visiting Sedlec Ossuary either early in the morning or later in the afternoon, especially to avoid tour buses.
In case you arrive exactly at the same time as a larger group, it is better to wait it out, to enjoy this outstanding place in a more intimate atmosphere. Other than that, Bone Church is an all-year-round destination. The busiest time of the year is between May and September with the peak months July and August.
Bone Church Photography
Since the beginning of 2020, photography and filming are not allowed in the monument. We were part of the press trip and got an exception, but all the non-commercial photos you can see online supposedly come from the earlier period. The reason why taking photos was banned, was in the first place the disrespectful behavior of visitors.
Sadly, as Bone Church became more popular, many people wanted to take selfies with bones, and some of them did things we can hardly understand, such as touching the bones and even placing hats on the skulls, etc.
It should come without saying that Bone Church is a sacred place with thousands of remains, and we should all behave accordingly. At the moment, we can be grateful it is still possible to visit this monument, so we kindly ask you to keep your phone or camera inside the backpack. This way, all your senses will capture the moment - that's the feeling we hardly know these days.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Bone Church costs 220 CZK, but if you plan on exploring the area more thoroughly, you can opt for a more budget-friendly option and buy a combined ticket for 360 CZK.
This ticket includes the entry to Sedlec Ossuary, Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist that is also located in Sedlec, and also to Saint Barbara Church, which is the main highlight of Kutna Hora.
Bone Church Tickets
You can buy the ticket online via this official website (you can even reserve a guided tour if you want). Or you can buy a ticket that includes only the two attractions in Sedlec - Sedlec Ossuary and the Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist.
Another way on how to buy tickets for Bone Church is in the tourist center that is located between the ossuary and cathedral (the address is Zamecka 279), or in the tourist center in Kutna Hora. Please note, it is not possible to buy the ticket directly in Sedlec Ossuary, but no worries, the info center is very close.
Opening Hours
Sedlec Ossuary is open from 10 AM - 6 PM between April and September and from 10 AM - 4 PM between October and March. Bone Church is open every day except for December 24, which is Christmas Day in the Czech Republic.
How to Get to Sedlec Ossuary
Getting to Kutna Hora from Prague is very straightforward, and there are many alternatives. You can start by reading our more detailed guide on how to get to Kutna Hora first. But how do you get either from Prague to Sedlec or from Kutna Hora to Sedlec? If you are traveling from Prague and your first stop is Sedlec Ossuary, you have several options.
Sedlec Ossuary Tours
One of the most common alternatives is to take a tour. There are many popular tours such as this one Kutna Hora and Sedlec Ossuary Tour from Prague that includes Bone Church and other must-visit places in Kutna Hora.
By Car
Another option is to rent a car, which gives you sought-after flexibility. If you don't mind driving, this option is very straightforward, though the traffic in Prague can be hectic. Sedlec Ossuary is then just a very short drive from Kutna Hora.
Public Transport
It is also possible to get to Sedlec by public transport. From Prague, take either train to Kutna Hora hl.n. that is actually located in Sedlec, or by bus, but the station is actually 2.5 kilometers from Bone Church, so here you would have to change to a local bus unless you prefer walking. If you are visiting the must-see attractions in Kutna Hora first and Sedlec Ossuary is the last stop on your itinerary, there are several ways how you can get from Kutna Hora to Bone Church.
By Bike
The easiest ways are to walk or rent a bike in the local info center. The distance is relatively short, only 2.5 kilometers.
By Train
Another option is to take a frequent train from Kutna Hora mesto to Kutna Hora hl.n., or take a local bus 11 or 15, and get off at Sedlec Tabak.
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