I went on a Kutna Hora tour which mainly consisted of
going to a bone chapel. Since deciding on going to Prague this place was first
on my list to visit. The Bone Chapel is a church which is decorated with human
bones inside. It’s basically a cemetery turned inside out and was quite a sight
to see.
From outside the Roman Catholic chapel
(Sedlec Ossuary) was quite ordinary with some graves accompanied by colourful
flowers. It didn't look liked there would be anything unusual inside which only
added o the mystery. The interior was decorated and furnished by skeletons of
around 40 000 - 70 000 people. To be in a room with so many skeleton bones and
skulls was fascinating. Once entering there was already a bone cross and to the
side huge bone chalices. Stairs went down to where it got even stranger. In
every direction there were bones and skulls waiting for the tourists to inspect
them with wonder.
I was expecting a lot of bones, but this
was even more than my mind could concur up. There was a glass case where
injured skulls were placed to show injuries from different medieval weapons. One
of my favourite parts was the Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms which was their family
crest made of bones. The detail was fascinating, especially where a raven was
pecking at a skull. A signature by František
Rint, the creator, was also made of bones.
There were also four enormous constructed piles of bones and skulls which was
extraordinary. Unfortunately I didn't see the bone chandelier because it was
under maintenance for the first time since 1870. I am so delighted that I got
to see and experience the Bone Chapel. I know some people think it is
disrespectful to the dead, but honestly they are long gone. The body is just a
vessel, and in this case décor.
Felicia
xoxo
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