St. Barbara's Church

Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

Saint Barbara's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Kutná Hora. It is one of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (among others), which was highly appropriate for a town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines.

Construction of the church began in 1388, but because work on the church was interrupted several times, it was not completed until 1905. The first architect was probably Johann Parler, son of Peter Parler. Work on the building was interrupted for more than 60 years during the Hussite Wars and when work resumed in 1481, Matěj Rejsek, Benedikt Rejt and Mikuláš Parler, assumed responsibility.

The original design was for a much larger church, perhaps twice the size of the present building. Construction, however, depended on the prosperity of the town's silver mines, which became much less productive. So, in 1588, the three-peaked roof had been completed and a provisional wall was constructed. A little later it was occupied by Jesuits who gradually changed the structure into Baroque style, though parts still remain in Gothic style.

The final process of repair and completion took place at the end of the 19th century, under architects J. Mocker and L. Labler.

Originally there were eight radial chapels with trapezoidal interiors. Later on, the choir was constructed, supported by double-arched flying buttresses.

Internal points of note are the glass windows, altars, pulpits and choir stalls. Medieval frescoes depicting the secular life of the medieval mining town and religious themes have been partially preserved.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1388
Category: Religious sites in Czech Republic

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ming (8 months ago)
A Gothic beauty with "flying buttresses" and interesting ties to Kutna Hora, a very prosperous and powerful silver mining town in the Middle Ages.
Eloise J. Li (9 months ago)
Very impressive architecture and very unique. I loved the paintings inside. They're very different. The figures on the organ were also beautiful. It was worth coming to Kutna Hora to see it.
Julia Karlova (10 months ago)
Brathtaking cathedral! So light, so unusual, wonderful, worth taling a train from Prague to see it.
GG Bk (11 months ago)
Barbara's Cathedral ,Gothic style and a UNESCO World Heritage Site The atmosphere around is beautiful, similar to the Prague Castle. and Charles Bridge The interior inside is very beautiful.
Kim Grummel (12 months ago)
Such a beautiful church. The frescos are uniquely not all religious, more depictions of daily life in a mining village. The architecture inside & out is a marvel to look at. Absolutely worth the day trip from Prague (highly recommended).
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.