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Friday,
September the 3rd
Kutná
Hora Kutná Hora is located on the geographic border between the warner
fertile lowlands of the Polabí region and the rougher, higher altitude region
of Českomoravská vrchovina about 60 km east of Praha. Kutná hora is, however,
the second most significant town in the Czech history. It was listed as world
heritage by the UNESCO organisation in 1995. The history of Kutná Hora is closely linked with the mining of silver.
The Kutná Hora silver mining district, abounding in silver ore, eventually
became one of medieval Europe,s larges sources of silver. Already in
the late 13th century, on third of Europe,s total
production of silver came from Kutná Hora. The „Prague groschen“, one of
Europe,s strongest currencies of the time, began to be minted here
under the reign of King Wenceslas II (
Václav II.). First stop is unicate medieval ossuary approx. 6 km from Kutná Hora. After visiting, we will continue by bus to town and we will visit St. Barbara,s Church. It was founded in the end of 14th century. The construction of of this church was resumed after an interval of many years caused by the Husite wars. The architecture of St. Barbara,s Church is a textbook example of the development of Gothic style in Bohemia
The walk in the town will be include Stone Fountain ( rare polygonal
fountain preserved from Jagellon time 1471 - 1526 ), Stone House (gothic
patrician house from same time), Hrádek
(originaly gothic palace with court and tower, built before 1420 ) and Vlašský
Dvůr ( Italien Court - central mint of Kutna Hora from period of reign King
Wenceslas II ). We will visit original medieval silver mine (as a part of exposition of
Museum of Bohemian Silver in Kutná Hora). Dinner is arranged in the style restaurant near the main squere in the town. Saturday, September the 4th Bohemian Karst Karst area is situated approx. 30 km west of
Praha and is formed by Silurian and Devonian limestones. World international
stratigraphic standard of the border Silur - Devon is located near Klonk in this
area. First stop is Karlštejn, medieval castle
founded by Czech king and Roman
emperor Charles the 4th (Karel IV.). Here we will visit the most
beatiful chapel of St. Crux. The lower part of the walls is covered by
incrustations (agates, jaspers,
amethysts) from Ciboušov locality, middle part by paintings of master
Theodorikus and upper part and the ceiling looks like sky covered by thin layer
of gold.
From Karlštejn we will continue to Stydlé
vody quarry, from where we will walk (approx. 3 km) to the view point above
"Sv. Jan pod skalou" (St. John under the rock). You will see beautiful
view over the Kačák creek valley with interesting geological formations and
church with monastery in the bottom of the valley. Dinner is arranged in the restaurant near the
monastery. After dinner you will visit cave and catacombs
behind the church and later afternoon you will enjoy the concert in the church
with excellent acoustics. We will return to Praha at 7 p.m.
approximately. In the case of bad weather we will visit Koněprusy show cave
instead 3 km trip from Stydlé vody to Sv. Jan pod skalou. Other program
is the same.
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