Prague Visitor Pass - Kutná Hora

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In the Sedlec Church of All Saints with the ossuary, you will discover a fascinating place where history blends with mysterious beauty. The atmosphere here attracts numerous visitors, who can admire the spaces of this still-functioning Roman Catholic church throughout the year. The Gothic two-story sanctuary was built in the first half of the 14th century amid a dark cemetery. Plagues and the Hussite wars soon made the burial grounds insufficient, giving rise to the story of the ossuary, whose interiors are adorned with human bones. The dark lower chapel served for the respectful storage of remains, a legacy that remains to this day. In contrast, the upper spaces are filled with daylight, where people come to pray and connect with God.

The message of the church is “memento mori,” or “remember death,” deeply symbolized by the decoration made primarily of human bones. The fates of the people whose remains are stored in the ossuary are shrouded in mystery. Their common trait is their strong faith and the wish to be laid to rest specifically in Sedlec. Since ancient times, it was believed that resting in this place would lead the deceased to the Last Judgment and resurrection.

Just as in the Sedlec Cathedral, the key figure behind the bone decorations here was Jan Blažej Santini Aichel. He likely was the first to work with the remains as decorative material, in the spirit of Baroque piety. All elements he created are strictly Christian. In the ossuary, two styles converge – Christian Baroque and dark Romanticism.

IMPORTANT: The combined ticket includes both the ossuary and the cathedral. Time slots have been implemented for the ossuary, so it is necessary to reserve a specific entry time, which will be arranged for you when purchasing at one of the Prague sales points. We strongly recommend making the reservation at the time of purchase. If you do not select a time slot during purchase, it is necessary to contact us in advance of your visit at praguevisitorpass@prague.eu (9:00–18:00) so we can arrange the reservation for you. Without a prior reservation, entry to the ossuary may not be possible due to limited capacity. If the ossuary is fully booked at the chosen time, you can still visit the cathedral only – present your Prague Visitor Pass at the Sedlec information center to receive your ticket.