Saint Barbara Church

Saint Barbara Church (often incorrectly Saint Barbara Cathedral, Czech: Chrám svaté Barbory) in Kutná Hora (Bohemia) is one of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (among others), which was highly appropriate for a town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines.

Construction began in 1388, but because work on the church was interrupted several times, it was not completed until 1905. The first architect was probably Johann Parler, son of Peter Parler, but studies say that Peter Parler had participated at least as a co-author of the draft design. Work on the building was interrupted for more than 60 years during the Hussite Wars and when work resumed in 1482, Matěj Rejsek and Benedikt Rejt, two architects from Prague, assumed responsibility.

The original design was for a much larger church, perhaps twice the size of the present building. Construction, however, depended on the prosperity of the town's silver mines, which became much less productive. So, in 1588, the incomplete structure was enclosed by a provisional wall until 1884 and the roof was unfinished until the 19th century.

The outside appearance is fascinating. Originally there were eight radial chapels with trapezoidal interiors. Later on, the choir was constructed, supported by double-arched flying buttresses.

Internal points of note are the glass windows, altars, pulpits and choir stalls. Medieval frescoes depicting the secular life of the medieval mining town and religious themes have been partially preserved.

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Luigi Santos-Hammarlund
28 August 2014
Impressive and unique architecture. For a few extra bucks you can go up to the upper floors. The view is great.
Julia K.
3 November 2014
If you decided to go to Kutna-Hora you are to visit St Barbory!It is not so crowdy as St.Vit in Prague so it is much more harmonious.It is a real temple.Definitely liked it more than Kostnica
Torzin S
17 April 2018
Unique roof, the pathway from historic center to cathedral is lovely with statues.
Nora Selmeczi
26 October 2014
magnificent gothic cathedral exuding harmony. marvel at the stupidly childish depictions of a lion, elephant and camel in the big baroque frescoe at the very end of the right-hand nave
Stefan Lazović
2 January 2016
Nice cathedral build to compete with St.Vitus in Prague. You can find many similarities.
Анна Карпенко
9 October 2014
Самый впечатливший собор. Очень масштабно и красиво. Отдельно можно заплатить 30 крон и пройти на второй этаж
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EnMork, cxbyte and 14,244 more people have been here
Map
0.1km from Barborská 679, 284 01 Kutna Hora, Czech Republic Get directions
Wed Noon–5:00 PM
Thu-Fri 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat-Sun 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Mon Noon–5:00 PM

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