Mining in Kutna Hora

Today I climbed down a mine, saw a church decorated with human bones, and got 2 brand new blisters. 

That’s the best opening line I could come up with. 

It’s Saturday night here in Prague, and no I’m not at a pub.  Part of me is so terrified of becoming sick again to the level I was that I don’t think I will venture into a pub quite yet.  (Plus, I have to see Dr. Ludvev Monday morning, and I just have this feeling he will know if I didn’t take care of myself.)

We left for Kutna Hora this morning, a couple buses full of students and 3 tour guides.  The town made me question my previous sense of beauty, absolutely everything in Kutna Hora was incredible.

A view of Kutna Hora from St. Barabara's Church. 

Kutna Hora is an old silver mining town that was founded in the 1300s.  For several centuries, it was the second richest city in all of Europe, however the miners were some of the poorest people.  The King of Bohemia LOVED Kutna Hora because it made he and his country very prosperous.  However originally, a monastery that sort of stumbled upon the land called Kutna Hora home, and they owned the rights to the silver mines.  So the silver first made the monks very rich.  They imposed their religion on the town, and sort of let the silver go to their heads from what I understand.  The towns people decided to build a church right on the outskirts of the city so they could avoid the influence of the monastery.  And this is where my tour started. 

Nithya and I in front of St. Barbara's Church.
This was the first church in Kutna Hora that wasn't under monastery control.
It was started in 1388, but wasn't completely finished until the 19th century.

Later on in the morning, most of us had one hell of a surprise.  Our guide walked us up to what could have been another church for all we knew, and asked if any of us were claustrophobic. After a statement like that, my ears perked up. I'm not very claustrophobic at all, but like most people, if I can avoid a tight situation, most of the time I will.   We locked up our bags, and were taken to a large room and told to don big white coats and helmets, then we were all handed a flashlight.  

(Starting left)  Nithya (from Singapore), Bianca (From New York), and Me!
Please note our shoes........ 

Little did we know, we were about to walk the mines 30 meters below us at that point.  The very mines that workers have been mining silver in since the 1300s.  My attention couldn't have been pulled away for anything.  I hit my head approximately 8 times (I counted, because it rattled the helmet, which rattled my head, which rattled my still semi-queasey body). If you've ever toured a cave, then this is somewhat similar, just take away the big open spaces, and imagine doubling yourself over the entire way just to fit in the pathways. I am sure I will wake up sore tomorrow....but I have classmates that are well over 6 feet tall. So I shouldn't complain at all.  At one point in the tour, the guide had us shut off our flashlights and cameras, so that we were in complete darkness.  Its one of the few times in my life that I couldn't see my own hand when it was just inches away from my eyeballs. 

Sorry for the blur.  It's just important to note that I climbed through the mine in THOSE shoes.
They are ruined.  But I think I would do it all again :)

Proof that I made it out of the mine alive! 

We visited several other churches in the town, and even saw a wedding take place in the town hall. (Random fact, I've seen a wedding every day that I have been in the Czech Republic.  Love is in the air always.) Our last stop was the Bone Church, and it was as wonderful as it sounds.  

But I am heading to bed now, I have a breakfast date with my Singapore lady friends, and then we are all going to church together.  I have yet to attend a service in a foreign country.  Something to cross off the bucket list!

Best,

Cass