Fodor's Expert Review Chrám sv. Barbory

Getting to this beautiful cathedral is nearly as pleasurable as a visit to the Gothic church itself. It's about a 10-minute walk from the main Palackého náměstí along a road lined with baroque statues, from which you can gaze at the surrounding countryside and watch the massive shape of the cathedral come closer. From afar, the church resembles a grand circus tent more than a religious center. As the jewel in Kutná Hora's crown, it's a high point of Gothic style, although through the centuries there have been alterations and improvements. St. Barbara's was started in the late 1300s; it drew on the talents of the Peter Parler workshop as well as two luminaries of the late 15th century, Matyáš Rejsek and Benedikt Ried.

Upon entering, look up. The soaring ceiling is one of the church's most impressive features. It was added in 1558 and replaced and restored in the late 1800s. At the western end of the church, take the stairs up to the elevated section for closer views of the ceiling and the lavish organ, decorated with golden angels and cherubs. There are also some interesting casts of reliefs and other decorative church elements here, including a gargoyle of a cat with a fish in its paws, a sculpture of angels carrying the miners' guild coat of arms, and a small statue of an oddly fed-up-looking Jesus. Head out to the balcony for views over the garden; lean out a little and you can see the town center, including the visibly leaning tower of the Kostel sv. Jakuba (Church of St. James).

Once outside, take a stroll through the gardens and courtyard and venture down into the ancient Kaple Božího těla (Corpus Christi Chapel). This free-to-enter, 14th-century cemetery chapel, with its beautiful vaulted ceiling, is used today mainly as an exhibition and concert space.

Avoid purchasing the opera glasses on sale at the front desk (50 Kč); the cathedral's elevated sections mean that all but the most short-sighted won't need them to get a good view of the ceiling.