The Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church) is the underground chapel of the Gothic Cemetery Church of All Saints in Sedlec, Kutná Hora, holding the bones of an estimated 40,000–70,000 people, some of which were arranged into decorations. It is world-famous for the work carried out in 1870 by woodcarver František Rint for the Schwarzenberg family: a chandelier said to contain at least one of every bone in the human body, the Schwarzenberg coat of arms rendered in bone, and four towering skull pyramids — all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kutná Hora. In 2026 it remains open but operates on timed, capacity-limited entry, and photography inside the ossuary is now completely prohibited. About an hour by train from Prague, it makes an easy day trip combined with Kutná Hora's old town and St Barbara's Church.
The central bone chandelier, said to use at least one of every type of bone in the human body.
The Schwarzenberg family coat of arms, intricately recreated entirely from bones.
The four massive skull-and-bone pyramids in the corners of the chapel, with skull-draped arches.
František Rint's signature by the entrance, also spelled out in bone and dated 1870.
The upper Church of All Saints and the Gothic exterior — the one area where photography is allowed.
Good to know
RulesEntry is timed and capacity-limited. Booking a specific date and time online in advance via the official site (sedlec.info) is effectively required; without a reservation, admission is not guaranteed.
RulesPhotography and video are entirely prohibited inside the underground ossuary (a recently enforced rule). You may photograph only the upper church and the exterior; violators may be asked to leave.
MannersThis is a sacred memorial space holding real human remains. Keep your voice low and avoid selfies, playful poses, or touching the bones.
CautionBuy tickets through the official channel (sedlec.info). Some third-party resellers and 'skip-the-line' packages add markups, and you should be wary of aggressive touts or unofficial 'guides' around Prague station and the site.
SeasonIn the summer peak, popular time slots sell out early, so book a morning slot. Winter hours are shorter (typically closing at 16:00 from Nov–Feb) and the site closes on 24 December — check the current schedule before you go.
SafetyWatch for pickpockets on the Prague–Kutná Hora trains and in the crowded interior. The stairway down to the ossuary is narrow and can be slippery, so mind your footing.
Practical info
From Prague main station (Praha hl.n.) trains reach Kutná Hora main station (Kutná Hora hl.n.) in about 50–60 minutes, followed by a roughly 10-minute walk (or use the local branch to Kutná Hora–Sedlec station, about 200 m away); tickets are also sold at the Sedlec Information Centre (Zámecká 279). Typical hours are 9:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep), 9:00–17:00 (Oct & Mar) and 9:00–16:00 (Nov–Feb), and combined tickets with St Barbara's Church and the Cathedral of the Assumption exist — but always verify current prices and hours on the official website.
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