The Sedlec Ossuary

The ossuary of the “Bone Church,” as it is populary known, contains approximately 40,000 human skeletons. In baroque era bones were used as a decoration, but their final appearance was arranged by famous architect Jan Blažej Santini. He put an allegoric meaning. He symbolized God´s kingdom with human bones. The central meaning is a light in the dark night – a hope. The Sedlec cemetery is a place, where the miracle of resurrection is awaited and the building is an allegory of the miracle. The sacred soil brought there by the abbot Heidenreich from Jerusalem, was from the place where Jesus was crucified, gave this soil meaning of being near to Christ and redemption.

The last architectural updates of the ossuary chapel were made by wood-carver František Rint in the late 19th century. Symbolism of death unfortunately absolutely overwhelmed the former symbol of risen Christ. Worth to see are large Schwarzenberg coat of arms and enormous chandelier of bones.

Now Ossuary and the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.