Kutná Hora Differently – The Story of the Jesuits Who Shaped the City and Europe

The exhibition Paths of Science, Boundaries of Faith at the Czech Museum of Silver (Hrádek, Barborská 28, Kutná Hora) commemorates 400 years since the Jesuit order arrived in Kutná Hora in 1626. The exhibition is symbolically located on Hrádek, where a Jesuit seminary once stood, and runs until 10 January 2027. Visitors can see more than 50 artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries – from artworks and rare prints to exotic objects from overseas missions, such as a Native American headband or a necklace made of monkey teeth. The displayed artefacts come mainly from the collections of the Czech Museum of Silver and are supplemented by loans from Roman Catholic parishes in Kutná Hora, Sedlec and Zbraslavice, the city of Kutná Hora, and the Náprstek Museum in Prague. The exhibition focuses on the Jesuits' educational, scientific and pedagogical activities, their overseas journeys and political influence, and does not shy away from the contradictions, myths and controversies that have accompanied the order for centuries. The Jesuits significantly transformed the architecture of Kutná Hora – they took over and renovated the Church of St. Barbara, connected it with the Jesuit college and gave the city its Baroque character. The exhibition also recalls the plague epidemic of 1680, during which the Jesuits remained in the city and cared for the sick. The exhibition includes interactive elements illustrating the hardships of missions and the world of Baroque people; for the youngest visitors there is a game of finding Baroque pearls. The accompanying programme includes lectures and guided walks. Open Tue–Sun, November and December 10–16, January 9–17. Admission 40 CZK, reduced 30 CZK.