The Church of St. Barbara is expecting several modifications this year, tourists will feel them

Kutná Hora - The Church of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora is set to undergo several changes this year related to visitor operations. The parish intends to modify the northern entrance, through which visitors enter the monument. The souvenir shop will be moved to the sacristy, which will be newly accessible to the public. Entrance and exit from the church will be through the same portal, but for the greater comfort of visitors, both paths will be separated, reported CTK Julie Němcová from the Roman Catholic parish-archdeaconry of Kutná Hora.

"There is also a plan for adjustments to the orientation system for tourists and a change in the exhibition on the galleries. The work will take place in phases in order not to restrict the operation of the church,” Němcová stated.

The parish is also planning the restoration of the bells Michal and Ludvík, which are located in the southern tower of the former Jesuit college. These bells have historically belonged to the Church of St. Barbara and announce celebrations and holidays as well as other events of public life. Currently, both bells are out of service due to poor technical condition.

Last year, the Church of St. Barbara was visited by over 324,000 tourists, which is a 4.7 percent decrease year on year. One of the reasons for the decline in attendance may have been the merging of the admission fee to the ground floor of the church, the internal balconies, or galleries, and the Chapel of the Body of Christ. Thanks to this change, however, the internal balconies are accessible year-round; they were previously open only from April to October.

The construction of the five-nave church began in 1388, and its first architect was probably Jan Parléř. After the Hussite wars, the construction stagnated, and work resumed in the mid-16th century, being completed only in the early 20th century. Among its builders were Matyáš Rejsek and Benedikt Rejt. The church, built after the model of French cathedrals, is very ornate, and the interior preserves a unique gallery of late Gothic and Renaissance paintings from the 15th century.