Kutna Hora - the city of silver

History of the town

Kutná Hora is closely connected with the mining and processing of silver, thanks to which the originally smaller settlement in the second half of the 13th century was very drastically transformed into a royal upper town, in which Prague groschen began to be minted. From this time until the end of the 16th century, Kutná Hora was the second most important city in the Czech lands after Prague. The then wealth of the city, which Kutná Hora could boast of for centuries, meant that today visitors can enjoy a number of historic buildings, which create a unique whole and an impressive panorama. Kutná Hora churches, alleys and houses still breathe their long history for visitors.

Silver mining in Kutná Hora then began to decline in the middle of the 14th century, however, the high importance of the town did not change and the local Italian Court was the seat of King Wenceslas IV.

The operation of the mint in the Vlašský dvor was interrupted in 1422 and later in 1424, when Kutná Hora was burned down. As a result, some shafts were destroyed. Later, however, mining resumed and Kutná Hora gained importance again. The decline did not occur until the middle of the 16th century, when the ore veins went to an ever-increasing depth and, in addition, due to the huge influx of silver from America. Silver mining was stopped after the Thirty Years' War, however, other attempts appeared even later, but in most cases unsuccessful.

During World War II, the occupation administration began mining lead and zinc ores here, which continued until 1991, when the last mine was closed.

The most important monuments of Kutná Hora

The historical center of Kutná Hora, which is also on the UNESCO list, consists mainly of the Church of St. Barbora, the Jesuit college and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Sedlec. The city center itself has a unique urban structure, consisting of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque houses. Another important monument is the Vlašský dvůr - the former mint, the burgher's Stone House from the late Gothic period, the church of St. Of St. James or the monastery of the Order of St. Voršily. A significant dominant feature of Kutná Hora is, of course, the Church of St. Barbora, which was founded in 1388 and the first builder is Jan Parléř, son of Petr Parléř.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová