What to see in the Kutna Hora ossuary and how to buy a ticket by slots
The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora, also known as the bone church, occupies the lower chapel of the Church of All Saints in the Sedlec district. This is a Gothic church built around 1400, and its interior decoration is assembled from human bones.
People come here from Prague for a day trip, most often combined with St. Barbara's Cathedral in the city center.
Below we break it down in order: what the ossuary is, what you will see inside, how much admission costs, and how to get there from Prague by train.
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What the ossuary in Kutná Hora is
💡 In short:
- Prices, time slots, and entry rules are collected in the section about tickets below.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official ossuary website.
The word "ossuary" means a room where human bones are kept. In Kutná Hora, such a repository was set up in the lower chapel of the Church of All Saints. The church was built around 1400 on the lands of the Cistercian monastery in Sedlec (as of: 09/2026, church page).
The town is located about 70 km east of Prague (on the map). The site is known far beyond the Czech Republic: the Church of All Saints with its ossuary is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (as of: 09/2026, UNESCO).
© Pedro Krtička · CC BYPhoto: Pedro Krtička, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe bones here were not hidden away but used as a material for decoration. Skulls, tibias, and pelvic bones are assembled into garlands, chalices, crosses, and candelabras. This is an active Catholic church where services are held. The upper chapel is bright, while the lower one remains dark.
History of the Sedlec Ossuary
In 1142, a Cistercian monastery was founded in Sedlec, and a cemetery grew up nearby. One of the abbots made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and brought back a handful of earth from Golgotha. He scattered it over the cemetery, and being buried here became prestigious among the Bohemian nobility (as of: 09/2026, history of Sedlec).
© H2k4 · CC BY-SAPhoto: H2k4, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsIn the 14th century, the plague, and in the 15th century, the Hussite Wars increased the number of burials to tens of thousands. Space in the cemetery ran short, and old bones were moved to the chapel basement (as of: 09/2026, ossuary data). According to legend, a half-blind monk stacked them into six pyramids, four of which have survived to this day.
In 1784, Emperor Joseph II ordered the abbey and cemetery to be closed. The property passed to the Schwarzenberg princes (as of 09/2026, monastery closure). The new owner was not impressed by the mountain of skulls and decided to tidy up the chapel.
In 1870, the family hired woodcarver František Rint. The bones were washed and treated with chloride of lime, and the craftsman assembled chandeliers, a chalice, garlands, and the Schwarzenberg family coat of arms from them. Most of the decoration has survived almost unchanged (as of 09/2026, František Rint's work).
Since 2014, the church has been undergoing restoration. The building has tilted almost half a meter from vertical, and moisture constantly accumulated in the lower chapel, damaging both the bones and the plaster. The work is scheduled to last at least until 2030, but the church remains open (as of 09/2026, restoration progress).
The ossuary remains one of the most visited attractions in the Czech Republic. At the same time, it has not turned into a museum: the Kutná Hora-Sedlec parish funds the repairs itself and holds masses here.
What to see inside the ossuary
From the outside, the church looks modest: a simple stone facade with arched windows and two hexagonal towers. Between them, on the pediment, stands a statue of the Virgin Mary. The most interesting part begins inside.
The lower chapel goes about three meters underground. In the cool and semi-darkness stand four enormous bell-shaped mounds of bones, with a ventilation opening in the middle. A wooden crown hangs above each one (as of 09/2026, description of the lower chapel).
A garland of leg bones and skulls is stretched between the vaults. In the center of the hall, four pyramidal columns rise, framed by skulls. Plaster cherubs with gilded wings sit on top of them.
In the wall niches are cups, vases, and candelabras made of thousands of small bones. The Schwarzenberg coat of arms deserves special attention: Rint arranged it on the wall as a sign of gratitude to his patrons.
The main altar is made of a brick pedestal and a cross with a crucifix. Along the walls stand chalices made of pelvic bones, and in glass cases lie skulls with cracks.
The most famous detail of the interior is considered to be the giant chandelier made of all the bones of the human body. Its diameter is over two meters, and the chain is assembled from jawbones (as of 09/2026, chandelier and crypt).
Opening hours and ticket prices
The ossuary is open daily. In September, entry is from 9:00 to 18:00; in winter it closes earlier, so check the exact hours for your date (as of 09/2026, current hours).
Site in Kutná Hora | Adult ticket |
|---|---|
Ossuary, All Saints Church | 220 CZK |
Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady | 220 CZK |
Church of St. James | 100 CZK |
Church of St. Anne | 50 CZK |
Prices and purchase procedure (as of 09/2026, Sedlec price list).
Tickets are sold only online or at the info center at Zámecká 279. Chapel capacity is limited, so come with a slot for a specific time: you can enter no earlier than your slot and no later than 10 minutes after it (as of 09/2026, visiting rules). You can return a ticket no later than three days in advance; the refund comes as a voucher valid for one year.
Photography inside is prohibited, and you will not be allowed into the lower chapel with a large bag or helmet. Leave your belongings in the info center's storage room and come in clothing that covers your body.
Tours and tickets in Kutna Hora
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How to get there from Prague
The train is the most convenient option. České dráhy trains depart from Prague's main station several times a day, and the journey takes about an hour (as of 09/2026, České dráhy). Get off at Kutná Hora-Sedlec station; from there a walking path leads to the ossuary, about 10 minutes (per the map).
If you arrive at Kutná Hora's main station (Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží), a local bus runs to Sedlec. From the historic city center to the ossuary is about 3 km (per the map), which you can walk in half an hour.
Take a morning train: by midday groups pile up in the lower chapel, and with a time slot you will get in without waiting in line.
The ossuary on the map
Below is an interactive map with the ossuary marked. Address for your navigation app: Zámecká 279, Kutná Hora, landmark Sedlec Ossuary.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?
Yes, it is better to book ahead. The ossuary has limited capacity, and entry is not guaranteed without a reservation (as of 09/2026, visitor guide).
Can I take photos inside the ossuary?
No, photography inside is prohibited. The administration explains the ban simply: the chase for the perfect social media shot has gone too far (as of 09/2026, photography ban). It is better to put your phone away and just look.
How much does entry cost and what is included in the ticket?
Ticket prices are listed in the table above, and the visit is self-guided (as of 09/2026, self-guided visit). In the lower chapel you receive a leaflet with the route. Guided group tours are booked in advance by email for an additional fee.
How do I get there from Prague without a car?
By train from the main station to Kutná Hora-Sedlec station, about an hour en route (as of 09/2026, train schedule). From the station you can walk to the ossuary. From the center of Kutná Hora, a local bus will take you to Sedlec.
What else is near the ossuary?
In Sedlec there is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady; the ticket price is in the table above. In the center of Kutná Hora, St. Barbara's Cathedral awaits you. Seeing everything takes a full day.
Can I bring a child or a stroller?
A stroller is allowed, but you will have to carry it down into the lower chapel by hand (as of 09/2026, stroller entry conditions). Animals are not allowed inside.
In short: what to book
The ossuary is one of the most visited places in Czechia, so get a ticket for a specific time and in advance (as of 09/2026, visitor data). If you are going from Prague for the day, plan for the morning: fewer groups and more time for St. Barbara's Cathedral.
- If you only need the ossuary: get a ticket with a morning time slot.
- If you are up for a full day: add the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady nearby.
- If you want a guide and transfer: see tours on GetYourGuide.
Check the opening hours for your travel date: in winter the ossuary closes earlier.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.