Kostnice u sv. Jakuba, South Moravia Travel Guide

Beneath the bustling Jakubské náměstí in Brno lies a serene yet haunting space: the Kostnice u sv. Jakuba, or Ossuary at the Church of St. James. This ossuary is the second largest in Europe, after the Catacombs of Paris, and contains the remains of over 50,000 individuals.The ossuary's origins date back to the 13th century when the Church of St. James was surrounded by a cemetery. As the city grew, the cemetery's capacity became insufficient, leading to the implementation of a system where graves were reopened after 10 to 12 years, and the remains were moved to underground ossuaries. This practice, combined with frequent plague and cholera epidemics, resulted in the ossuary filling rapidly.In 1784, Joseph II's reforms led to the closure of church cemeteries for hygienic reasons. The remains were moved into a crypt, the cemetery wall was torn down, and the area around the church was paved over, causing the ossuary to be forgotten for centuries. It was rediscovered in 2001 during archaeological research and opened to the public in June 2012.Today, visitors can explore three burial chambers filled with carefully arranged skeletal remains. The ossuary serves as both a tourist attraction and a place of reverence, offering a unique perspective on Brno's history and the human condition. The experience is enhanced by music composed specifically for the space by Miloš Štědroň, adding to the mystical atmosphere.