*A ‘monumental’ tour of the countryside northeast of Kutná Hora, including Sedlec and Kačina: 24 km*

• The UNESCO listed city of Kutná Hora is world famous for its remarkable architecture and historical monuments. There are several options for walks in the city and the surrounding countryside, but one of the more interesting tours explores the landscape to the northeast of the city, passing through the well-known religious centre at Sedlec and the lesser known (but excellent) chateau and park area at Kačina. On the circuit there are a number of other interesting landmarks, including the historical area of Nové Dvory, the viewing tower on Kaňk hill, an excellent micro-brewery in Hlízov and even a short stretch along the Labe river footpath.
• Sedlec is best known today as the location of two famous Baroque churches, both deeply influenced by the famous Czech/Italian architect, Jan Blažej Santini Aichel (generally known simply as Santini). The first is the reconstructed Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist. This was originally a cathedral built around 1300 as part of the Cistercian Abbey (the first such foundation in the country), in the style of the great French Gothic cathedrals. The abbey and cathedral were burnt down by the Hussites in 1421 and then reconstructed nearly 300 years later. The soaring interior space of the church is considered one of Santini’s greatest works.
• The second church is the Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice), one of the most famous (and visited) buildings in the country, housing the skeletons of up to 70000 people, many of whom died during the 14th century Black Death and the 15th century Hussite Wars.
• Kačina chateau was constructed in the early 19th century as the prestige mansion of the supreme Burgrave of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Jan Rudolf Chotek. Today, it is one of the most important Empire-style buildings in Bohemia and is situated in an extensive English style park area, 6 km northeast of Kutná Hora. This exceptional chateau is open for tours (see the web site for times) and also houses a branch of the National Museum of Agriculture. The park is open year-round and is free to access. There is a pleasant café in one of the side buildings, serving good coffee and homemade cakes (open at the same time as the chateau interior).
• The nearby small town of Nové Dvory itself has a fine Baroque chateau (also previously owned by the Chotek family) and a Dominican monastery (featured in the header photo) and a pleasant new café on the main street, Kafirna 13.
• The best starting point for the circuit is Kutná Hora main train station (which has direct connections with Prague, and there is also car parking area). It is just a 1 km walk into Sedlec from the train station. The walk is best done clockwise, finishing in Nové Dvory. The final 3 km section from Nové Dvory back to the train station is a relatively unattractive walk beside the main road and can be skipped, if desired, by catching one of the regular buses back to the station.
• The full route of 24 km is almost flat, except for the 100m climb up to Kaňk hill, and is on a mix of easz paths, including some asphalt sections. Apart from the café options at Kačina and Nové Dvory, there is a popular restaurant with a terrace on the hill at Kaňk and the brewery in Hlízov.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Starting at Kutná Hora train station, follow the access road for 500m to reach the main road and there turn left to walk into Sedlec following the RED trail
• The Santini designed monastery church is on the left side (note there is an entrance fee)
• At the Sedlec trail junction, turn right onto the YELLOW trail heading towards Kaňk. The Ossuary is 200m along the street on the right side (again requiring a ticket)
• Continue for 1.3 km along the YELLOW trail to reach the top of Kaňk hill (note that to reach the summit, turn right off the main trail just before the top)
• From the top of Kaňk walk down the access road for 100m to join the BLUE hiking trail – turn right onto trail to shortly reach the Kaňk – propadlina junction
• Continue on the BLUE trail for 1.7 km to reach Hlízov village (note the brewery next to the restored chateau)
• Continue 3.1 km on the BLUE trail to reach the Klejnárka junction. Here, turn right onto the YELLOW trail heading towards Starý Kolín
• Continue on the YELLOW trail for 3.8 km to reach the Na Hornické junction beside the Labe river
• At the Na Hornické junction, turn right onto the RED trail heading towards Kačina, which is reached after 6.5 km
• From Kačina, continue on the RED trail through the park area to reach Nové Dvory after 3 km
• In Nové Dvory either catch a bus back to the Kutná Hora main train station, or continue on the RED trail for a further 3 km to return back to the station