In Sedlec, most of us visited the world-famous Sedlec Ossuary, a unique site decorated with human bones, most of which came from mass graves of victims of plague epidemics and the Hussite Wars. Today, the ossuary is one of Kutná Hora's best-known landmarks and attracts visitors from around the world. While some found the visit particularly memorable, others chose to skip the ossuary and instead enjoyed a coffee at a nearby café, where the atmosphere was pleasant despite the chilly wind.
We then visited the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and St. John the Baptist. This monumental UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the most important Gothic-Baroque cathedrals in Central Europe. We were impressed by its spaciousness and the unusual design of its interior.
Afterwards, we headed into Kutná Hora itself. We had lunch at a cosy bistro in the amphitheatre by a pond in the gardens of the Jesuit College. The setting was lovely, and the view of the city skyline, including St. Barbara's Church, created a beautiful backdrop for our gathering. Conversation flowed easily around the table, and it was clear that everyone appreciated the opportunity to meet and connect in an informal setting.
After lunch, we made our way to St. Barbara's Church, one of the most important Gothic buildings in the Czech Republic and a symbol of Kutná Hora. We spent quite some time inside, admiring the organ, the view of it from the gallery and the way sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows. This impressive building fascinated participants of all ages.
Outside the church, we enjoyed views of the city and the surrounding valley and tested the acoustics in the Gothic underground chapel. We then continued our walk through the historic centre. Some were tempted by a local chocolate shop, while others admired the city's architecture. We passed Vlašský Dvůr, a former royal palace and mint, the Plague Column and Stone House, one of the city's most valuable historic burgher houses with an elaborately decorated façade. We also stopped at the Stone Fountain, the last surviving medieval fountain in Kutná Hora, which impresses with both its size and craftsmanship.
The whole day was filled with a warm and friendly atmosphere. We talked about all kinds of topics, students and their host siblings were happy to see each other again, and parents had the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns. We were lucky to have beautiful sunny weather, although it was quite chilly at times. We all headed home feeling that we had shared a truly wonderful day together.
