| Page Views: 2,987 Last Visit to Sedlec: May, 2004 | Sedlec and The Macbre Bone Church by littlesam1 - last update: Mar 11, 2005 |
Without question one of the most interesting places I have ever visited is the Kostnice or Ossuary in Sedlac. When I started my research for the trip to Prague I kept coming across references to Kostnice and the Ossuary in Sedlac. I was not familiar with the term Ossuary. Following the references on the internet I came across bizarre pictures of a church decorated with human bones. So I thought it was time to find out what this term Ossuary meant. The dictionary definition of ossuary is "a depository for the bones of the dead." And that is what you actually find at the Ossuary in Sedlec. If you look closely at this picture you will see the sculpture of a human skeleton head on the wall surrounding this church. This will only begin to prepare you for what waits inside.
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|  | A Little History
Sedlec is located approximately 3km north east of Kutna Hora. Although considered a suburb it actually predates Kutna Hora buy a few hundred years. Originally a Monastery was founded here in the 1100's.
The monastery became very popular in the region because, as the legend goes, an abbot brought some earth from the Holy Land and sprinkled it on the monastery's graveyard. Because of this many people wanted to be buried in the consecrated soil. Many people also died here from the plague. In the 14th century the All Saints Chapel was built. This forced clearing of the cemetary and the monks here brought the bones into the church creating large pyramids of bones.
Finally in 1870 the Schwarzenberg family bought the monastery and hired Frantisek Rint to create the decorations made from the bones.
Today it is said there are over 40,000 bodies represented by the bones in the chapel.
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Always Sign Your Artwork
Here on the wall of the church is the signature of the artist Frantisek Rint. And in keeping with the theme the signature is created all with bones.
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> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "One of the most unusual things I have ever seen." | | Cons: | "Macbre and perhaps too bizarre for some. But I was fascinated." | | In A Nutshell: | "Where else can you find a church decoreated in bones." |
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 Comments for littlesam1 about Sedlec | | | | |
LoriPori Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:05 UTC
Read your answer on the Travel Forum regarding the Bone Church.Was curious so had to check it out. Creepy - yet fascinating - especially the "Bone" Chandelier. | Yaqui Thu Sep 27, 2007 20:07 UTC
This sort of stuff is scary, but so interesting. I like visiting cemeteries because you never know what you may find. Just maybe another adventure. Nice photos and tips..good job! | BorderHopper Sat Feb 24, 2007 19:14 UTC
I'd be very pleased to know that my remains were be utilized this way. It's always what I had in mind...better than a dark hole or the crematory! Fascinating page...thanks! | nickandchris Mon Jan 8, 2007 22:09 UTC
How absolutely fascinating! |
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