After seeing the Skull Chapel in Czermna, Poland, we decided to also see the Bone Church in Czech Republic, about an hour east of Prague.
A little history about the church:
This church if the final resting place for over 40,000 souls. It was built in the 14th century in the High Gothic style with an upper chapel and an underground Ossuary. According to legend, the king sent local abbots to Jerusalem in 1278 to bring back some holy soil. The soil from Golgotha, which was used for concelebrating and healing, was scattered over the cemetery. Because if this, people from all over Europe wanted to be buried here. Similar consecrated burial sites exist in Paris, Pisa, and Rome. The cemetery was considerably extended during the great epidemics of the 14th century - 30,000 deceased were buried here during this time.
In 1421, the Hussite troops invaded Kutna Hora. They burned and plumbered the cathedral and monestary and devastated the cemetery. As a result of the war, 10,000 more dead were buried here.
At the end of the 15th century, the area for the cemetery was reduced, and bones from the abolished graves were moved into the Ossuary. Legend has it that a half-blind monk arranged the bones and skulls into 6 pyramids. After he completed this task, his eyesight was miraculously restored. In any case, records show that the bones were arranged decoratively by the 16th century. They were rearranged and the church was renovated between 1661-1663.
A major reconstruction of the church was again completed in the 18th century by Jan Blazej Santini, who is believed to have further arranged the bones according to the principles of Baroque aesthetics, such as garlands hanging on the walls and elaborate candleholders.
The monestary and abbey were purchased by the Schwarzenberg family from Orlik in 1783. The chandelier and Schwarzenberg family coat of arms decorations originate from this time period.
And finally, in the 1870s, the bones were cleaned and disinfected with lime.
The symbolism of this church is not to celebrate dearth, as some might think. It is to remember the dead - Memento Mori - and to remember that all people are seen as equals in the eyes of God.
Chalice:
Coat of Arms:
Coat of Arms detail:
Main altar:
Garlands:
Chandelier from below:
A little history about the church:
This church if the final resting place for over 40,000 souls. It was built in the 14th century in the High Gothic style with an upper chapel and an underground Ossuary. According to legend, the king sent local abbots to Jerusalem in 1278 to bring back some holy soil. The soil from Golgotha, which was used for concelebrating and healing, was scattered over the cemetery. Because if this, people from all over Europe wanted to be buried here. Similar consecrated burial sites exist in Paris, Pisa, and Rome. The cemetery was considerably extended during the great epidemics of the 14th century - 30,000 deceased were buried here during this time.
In 1421, the Hussite troops invaded Kutna Hora. They burned and plumbered the cathedral and monestary and devastated the cemetery. As a result of the war, 10,000 more dead were buried here.
At the end of the 15th century, the area for the cemetery was reduced, and bones from the abolished graves were moved into the Ossuary. Legend has it that a half-blind monk arranged the bones and skulls into 6 pyramids. After he completed this task, his eyesight was miraculously restored. In any case, records show that the bones were arranged decoratively by the 16th century. They were rearranged and the church was renovated between 1661-1663.
A major reconstruction of the church was again completed in the 18th century by Jan Blazej Santini, who is believed to have further arranged the bones according to the principles of Baroque aesthetics, such as garlands hanging on the walls and elaborate candleholders.
The monestary and abbey were purchased by the Schwarzenberg family from Orlik in 1783. The chandelier and Schwarzenberg family coat of arms decorations originate from this time period.
And finally, in the 1870s, the bones were cleaned and disinfected with lime.
The symbolism of this church is not to celebrate dearth, as some might think. It is to remember the dead - Memento Mori - and to remember that all people are seen as equals in the eyes of God.
Chalice:
Coat of Arms:
Coat of Arms detail:
Main altar:
Garlands:
Chandelier from below:
Wow, the chandelier, garlands, chalice and close up of the Schwarzenberg family coat of arms decorations are very ornate indeed!! It is amazing how they put the bones together to make all of the elaborate designs and ornaments! Very cool--wish we would have made it there, instead of Stephane getting the Skull Chapel in Czermna, Poland "bone church curse"!!
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