Cathedral of Bones, CZECH REPUBLIC
Airing Date: Aug 14th, 2006
Just over an hour out of Prague is a sleepy village called Sedlec, very similar to any other Czech village except for one thing. Sedlec Chapel, though you couldnt tell from the outside, has become world famous as the 'cathedral of bones'.
Every single feature of the churchs interior is either made from, or heavily featuring human bones, taken from the remains of 40,000 people brought to be buried in Sedlecs holy soil.
In 1278, Henry, the abbot of Sedlec was sent to the Holy Land. On returning, he brought soil from Golgotha and sprinkled it on the ground here. As a consequence, the burial ground was considered holy and became extremely popular.
In 1511 a chapel was constructed to house the bones from abolished graves.The charnel-house was remodelled in Czech Baroque style between 1703 - I710 by the famous Czech architect (of Italian origin) Jan Blazej Santim-Aichl.
The present arrangement of the bones dates from 1870 and is the work of Czech wood-carver, Frantisek Rint. His name can be seen in the chapel, put together from bones, on the right-hand wall over the last bench.
The most interesting creations by Master Rint are the chandelier in the centre of the nave (containing all the bones of the human body), a crucifix style arrangement near the main altar, two vessels beside the main altar and the coat-of arms of the Schwarzenberg noble family on the left-hand side of the chapel.
The largest collections of bones are arranged in the form of bells in the four corners of the chapel.
The chapel is open to the public, and is offers an amazing experience for visitors. The ossuary is open 8am - 6pm (April - September), 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm (October) and 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm (November - March). It is closed on Christmas Day.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Air Tahiti Nui - Web: www.airtahitinui.com.au
Return Flight to Paris from $3135 ex Sydney, $3320 ex Brisbane, $3390 ex Melbourne, $3540 ex Adelaide, $3765 ex Perth. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 18/7/06
Air France - Ph: 1300 390 190
Connect to Prague From $292 one way. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 21/7/06.
Peregrine Adventures - Ph:1300 854 500, Web: www.peregrineadventures.com
15 day Journey through Central Europe Tour. From $3995 a person. Twin share. Prices include taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Includes accommodation, breakfasts, transport & guide. Prices correct at 14/8/06
Sedlec Cemetery & Ossuary Chapel - Web: www.kostnice.cz
Admission from Adults $2.50, Kids $1.50. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Prices correct at 14/8/06
City of Kutna Hora - www.kutnahora.cz
