By train: From Praha Hole§ovice (Metro: Nacira2.1 Holekvice).
By car: Highway 12, leaving east of Prague.
Kutna Hora lies about 40 miles (65 km) south-east of Prague. The discovery of large deposits of silver ore in the 13th century turned it overnight into one of the boom towns of Central Europe. The mint, founded in 1300, continued to produce Bohemian groschen until 1547. By the 18th century however the mines were exhausted and the town fell into decline.
Kutna Hora’s medieval prosperity is attested to by its rich architectural heritage. The Cathedral of St Barbara (the patron saint of miners) is a monument to the ingenuity of Peter Parley’s team of architects, who began work on the building in 1388 – it was completed in 1565. Look out for the magnificent vaulted roof and the medieval frescos. At the far end of Barborska is the Hradek, originally part of the town’s defences. The interior is now a
museum of mining and minting. The tall spire rising above Havliakovo namesti belongs to the Church of St James (14th century). Also in the square is the original mint, known as the Italian Court. (Italian bankers financed the mines.) Both the chapel and tower date from the 13th century and are open to the public – the interior decoration is worth seeing. A short stroll through the town to namesti 1 maje leads to Kamennr dam (The Stone House) with its remarkable oriel windows and decorated facade.
Information Office: Palackeho namesti.