Sedlec Ossuary, or as it’s more commonly known, the Church of Bones, is an hour away from the capital of Czechia, Prague, and contains eight million individual bones
One of the most disturbing and dark tourist attractions is just three hours from the UK.
While Transylvania and Edinburgh may be go to’s for a gothic aesthetic among travellers looking for a spooky break, the travel experts at First Choice have found something a little darker and more grisly. Nestled in a rural Czech town just an hour from Prague, you’ll find the Sedlec Ossuary, or as it’s more commonly known, the Church of Bones.
The Roman Catholic chapel is decorated with the skeletal remains of between 40,000 – 70,000 individuals. In total, there are more than eight million individual bones in the cathedral of death.
The first Cistercian monastery in Bohemia, founded in 1142, is rich in history. In the 13th century, the spot became a popular burial ground after a monastery abbot consecrated the land with soil from the spot of Jesus’ crucifixion.
By the 15th century, a new Gothic church had been built at the location, with the lower chapel re-assigned to house the tens of thousands of victims of the Black Plague and Hussite wars. But it was in the 19th century that the ossuary transformed into the creepy hotspot it is today.
Up until this point, the bones had been haphazardly stored in the various crypts, but in 1870 the monastery’s owners hired a local woodcarver named František Rint to artistically arrange the bones and give them a new sense of purpose.
Rint bleached the bones and used them to create the unique decorations visitors can see today, including:
The Chandelier of bones. This is a massive chandelier that hangs from the centre of the nave and is said to contain at least one of every bone in the human body.
Schwarzenberg coat of arms: A coat of arms made entirely of human bones, including a raven pecking the eye of a Turkish soldier’s skull.
Garlands of skulls that are strung from the ceiling.
Bone pyramids, which are four large, bell-shaped pyramids of stacked bones that occupy the corners of the chapel.
While Sedlec Ossuary makes for a perfect spooky Halloween day out, visitors are welcome all year round. In fact, the summer months make for a great time to visit as the chapel offers late-night, candle-lit tours hosted by monks and an organ performance.
Fans of Danny Boyle’s 2025 apocalyptic horror film 28 Years Later might find the spot particularly appealing – with various visual similarities to the film. And with part 2: The Bone Temple set to release in cinemas in Jan 2026, the spot is set to increase in popularity.
Situated in the town of Kutná Hora, a UNESCO World Heritage spot with a tonne of other historical sites to explore, the Ossuary is just over an hour from the capital of Prague making it a great option for a day trip out of the city.
Tours from Prague centre can be organised with travel companies like First Choice, which offers a day-long guided experience of Kutná Hora and the Sedlec Ossuary from just £63 per person, including transfers.
In Prague itself, dark tourists can try everything from ghost walks to concentration camp and abandoned psychiatric hospital tours. Visiting the capital can be very affordable, with stays including flights and accommodation starting at £188pp with First Choice, and food and drink famously on the lower end compared to similar historical capitals like Berlin and Paris.
Pick a stay at the Royal Court Hotel a 19th century royal residence building, now a modern day 4-star in the heart of the city. Prices start from £188pp, based on two adults sharing a double standard room, on a room-only basis for 2 nights, flights departing from London Stansted on 22 January 2026. Hand luggage only and transfers not included.
