After leaving Český Krumlov, we headed back toward Prague to return the car, and made stops in few towns along the way.
Our first stop was Telč, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its Italian Renaissance architecture.
We headed straight to Zachariáš of Hradec Square, the heart of Telč. It’s a triangular market square surrounded by colorful Renaissance and Baroque houses. Each house is unique, with its own details.
At at the northern end of the square, there’s a The Holy Spirit Tower has a slightly austere look compared to the colorful Renaissance buildings surrounding it. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the town, but you need a ticket—and only Czech crowns are accepted, no euros. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any on hand, so we missed out on the chance to go up.
At the other end of the square, you’ll find Státní zámek, a stunning Renaissance chateau that originally started as a Gothic fortress in the 13th century. The castle is surrounded by a lovely park.
While the city is undeniably beautiful, it gave me this odd feeling, almost like I was walking around a movie set at a studio rather than a real town. Maybe the lack of the usual tourist crowds made the city feel almost deserted.
We left Telč and continued on our journey to Kutná Hora. The drive was scenic. Apple and pear trees lined the road all the way, and I could only imagine how stunning it must be in spring when everything is in bloom.
Kutná Hora is famous its silver mining past. Founded in the 13th century, the town became a major center for silver production, which significantly contributed to the wealth of the Kingdom of Bohemia. And we began our walk at the Italian Court, an important historical building. This Renaissance structure was once the royal mint, where coins were produced during the town’s silver boom.
Near the Italian Court, we came across Palackého náměstí, where the Plague Column stands. Also known as the Holy Trinity Column, it was erected in the 18th century as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the devastating plague outbreaks in the region.
Further down, we found the Stone House. This is one of the oldest structures in Kutná Hora. It was build in 1499. The Stone House has served various purposes over the years. Today it is Archaeological museum with a collection of approximately 185,000 items, and among the richest museums in the Czech Republic.
The next landmark we visited was the Gothic Stone Fountain. This impressive structure dates back to the 15th century. It was originally built as a source of drinking water for the townspeople and remains a beautiful example of Gothic architecture in the center of scenic Rejsek Square.
We finished our walk around the city at the Church of St. Barbara. Constructed between the 14th and 20th centuries, it was dedicated to the patron saint of miners, reflecting the town’s rich mining history, particularly its silver mines. Its truly impressive.
After finishing our walk around the town, we went to the one of its most iconic landmarks of Kutna Hora – the Sedlec Ossuary, known as the Bone Church.
Bone Church, has a history dating back to the 13th century. The ossuary became notable when a monk brought back soil from the Holy Land, which he sprinkled over the cemetery, making it a desirable burial site. As the cemetery became overcrowded due to various plagues and the Black Death, remains were exhumed and placed in the ossuary. In the 18th century, František Rint, a local woodcarver, was commissioned to organize the bones into decorative displays. His work led to the creation of several unique features, including chandeliers, garlands, coat of arms and the bone pyramid.
I’m not sure what I expected, but it turned out to be more interesting in theory than in reality. The Sedlec Ossuary felt overrated, and the ticket prices were steep. It wasn’t even creepy—just unpleasant. Photography and video were not allowed btw.