Saint Barbara's Cathedral, Kutna Hora

Kutna Hora was built on silver, and Saint Barbara's is what the money bought: a cathedral raised by the town itself rather than by a bishop or a king, dedicated to the patron saint of miners, and worked on across generations until funds ran short and the building was closed off well short of its intended length. The result is unusually tall and light, with a net of ribs vaulting the nave and three distinctive tent-shaped roofs outside. Side chapels carry late medieval frescoes of miners at the rock face and of the mint at work, rare subject matter for a church. The approach along Barborska street runs beside a Jesuit college and a line of baroque statues.

What's there

• The net vaulting - interlaced ribs and heraldic bosses across the nave ceiling.
• The mining frescoes - late medieval chapel paintings of miners and minters at work.
• The three tent roofs - the folded roofline that gives the cathedral its silhouette from Barborska street.
• Barborska street - the terrace approach lined with baroque statues alongside the Jesuit college.

When to go

April to October for the best light through the windows and for the walking approach along Barborska; the cathedral opens year round but on shorter winter hours. Services close it to visitors on Sunday mornings. Early afternoon is when the Prague day trips arrive, so mornings are noticeably calmer inside.

Practical notes

Kutna Hora's main station is well outside the centre and the cathedral is at the far end of the old town from it, so plan the walk or the local connection. Many day trippers come for the ossuary at Sedlec and give the cathedral half an hour, which makes it both crowded and rushed. Restoration scaffolding recurs.

Nearby

The Italian Court royal mint and the Hradek silver mine tour are in the same old town.