St. Barbara's Church (Chrám svaté Barbory) is a late-Gothic masterpiece in Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia, dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners. Funded by the silver-mining wealth of this medieval boomtown, it was begun in 1388 but — as the ore veins ran dry — took more than five centuries to finish, only being completed in 1905; it is famous for its distinctive three-peaked, tent-like roof and elegant double-arched flying buttresses. Together with Kutná Hora's historic centre and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and in 2026 it remains an active, year-round church open to visitors. It makes an easy day trip from Prague and is often paired with the nearby Sedlec Ossuary.
The unmistakable silhouette of three tent-like roofs above a forest of double-arched flying buttresses — best seen from the Jesuit College terrace on Barborská Street
The dazzling net- and star-vaulted ceiling completed by master builder Benedikt Rejt
Late-Gothic frescoes portraying the secular life of the mining town — scenes of miners and coin-minters rarely found in sacred art
The choir with its ring of radiating chapels and the Corpus Christi Chapel
The layered architecture built over 500+ years by masters including Johann Parler and Matěj Rejsek
Good to know
SeasonOpening hours change by season: roughly Apr–Oct 09:00–18:00, Mar and Nov–Dec 10:00–17:00, and Jan–Feb 10:00–16:00, with closure on 24 December. Winter closings are early, so confirm current hours before you go.
RulesA standard ticket lets you tour the interior and the Corpus Christi Chapel at your own pace; the 'Roof of Barbara' and other guided tours cost extra and must be booked by phone or email at least two weeks ahead. Buy tickets at the official box office or online at tickets.chramsvatebarbory.cz.
MannersThis is a working church where Masses are held. Keep quiet, avoid flash photography to protect the frescoes and stained glass, and expect access to be limited during services.
SafetyThe church sits on a hill, so reaching it from the station involves an uphill walk on cobblestones. Prague's main station to Kutná Hora is about one hour by train, then a local connection into town — wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time.
CautionSkip informal 'combo tour' touts and haggling taxis at the station; the official combined ticket (St. Barbara + Sedlec Cathedral + the Ossuary, sold locally) plus the town shuttle bus is cheaper and more reliable.
SeasonSummer peak (June–August) and weekends draw tour-group crowds. Arriving right at opening or in the late afternoon gives a calmer visit.
Practical info
From Prague's main station (Praha hl.n.) it is about a one-hour train ride to Kutná Hora's main station (Kutná Hora hl.n.), then a short local train or bus into town to reach the church atop Barborská Street. It is open year-round but hours vary by season, and adult admission is around 180 CZK (with student/senior discounts and free entry under age 6) — always verify the latest prices and hours on the official website before visiting.
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