An extraordinary encounter with our shared humanity.
Beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, human remains form one of the Czech Republic’s most arresting interiors. The first impression may be startling. Stay with the story and it becomes a place of memory, craftsmanship and reflection.
Photo: misha ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · Resized, display crop. Historical photograph, 2010. Visitor photography is now prohibited.
Where
Sedlec, outside central Kutná Hora
Before visiting
Book a dated, timed ticket
Inside
No photography or filming
Current access
Stairs during restoration
The people behind the bones.
These are real human remains, moved from graves in the former monastery cemetery and placed in the lower chapel. The church grew from the religious life of medieval Sedlec, where remembrance of the dead was closely connected with hope for resurrection.
The message is memento mori, remember that life is finite. The skulls are striking, but the meaning reaches beyond a macabre first impression. This remains a functioning Catholic church and a resting place.
How the remarkable interior took shape.
The arrangement developed over time. Architect Jan Santini-Aichel is associated with an earlier Baroque concept. Later, the Schwarzenberg family supported restoration and the work of František Rint, completed in 1870. The bone chandelier, garlands and family coat of arms became the best-known features of that later work.
Capacity is limited. Buy a timed ticket through the parish’s official site or its information centre before visiting. Entry without a reservation is not guaranteed. Check the current ticket conditions, prices and opening times before travelling.
Photography and filming are prohibited inside. Dress respectfully, speak quietly and do not touch the remains. The historical photographs on this page predate today’s visitor photography ban.
Restoration is ongoing. The parish currently reports stair-only access and no wheelchair access during the works. Contact it before travelling if you have mobility needs.
For children or anyone sensitive to human remains, explain what the visit involves and let them decide whether it suits them. Groups should arrange any additional guiding directly in advance.
The ossuary is in the Sedlec district, separate from Kutná Hora’s historic centre. Set your route to the Cemetery Church of All Saints with the Ossuary, not only to the city name.
Check rail connections and the onward local journey before choosing your ticket time. Allow a buffer for transfers and finding the entrance.
The official information centre is at Zámecká 279, between the ossuary and the cathedral. Tickets are not sold inside the churches. Combine the visit with the nearby Sedlec cathedral or continue into Kutná Hora at your own pace.
Researched by the American Tour Association. Visitor information checked October 25, 2026. Confirm current admission, access and operating arrangements with the attraction.
