The ossuary contains the remains of victims of the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish Siege of Brno, and cholera and plague epidemics.
The church was officially designated a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic in 1995.
Archeological analysis of the bones revealed high concentrations of silver, likely resulting from the local environment and the historical processing of silver ores in the region.
The church exterior features a small 'little man' sculpture, a local ironic architectural detail positioned to face the Old Town Hall.
The interior contains the tomb of Raduit de Souches, the defender of Brno who led the resistance against the Swedish army in 1645.
Construction of the current Gothic church began in the early 13th century and continued in phases for nearly 200 years.
The bones in the ossuary are arranged in complex, decorative patterns including pillars and wreaths.
The church organ, installed in the 20th century, is one of the most significant instruments in the region for liturgical music.
Kostel sv. Jakuba is a Gothic parish church located in the historic center of Brno, widely recognized for the massive underground ossuary beneath its square. The ossuary, discovered in 2001, is the second-largest in Europe, housing the remains of approximately 50,000 people. The church building features a distinctive 92-meter high tower that dominates the city skyline and offers panoramic views. The current structure is a synthesis of late Gothic architecture with interior modifications from the Baroque period. The church serves as a functioning parish site while also operating as a significant subterranean museum destination. Notable features include a collection of Renaissance-era tombstones integrated into the outer walls of the church. The ossuary exhibition utilizes a dedicated entrance located on the adjacent square rather than through the church nave. The site remains a focal point for both ecclesiastical history and archaeological research in Moravia.
The view of the church tower from the corner of Jakubská street.
Book your ossuary entrance online in advance as capacity is strictly limited for preservation purposes.
Visit the church interior first for the architecture, then head to the separate ossuary entrance for the exhibition.
Climb the church tower for an unobstructed view of the Brno city center and Špilberk Castle.
Do not attempt to access the ossuary through the church main entrance; look for the distinct separate entry on the square.
The ossuary is closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet tone inside the church and ossuary. Remove hats inside the church. Photography is allowed without flash.
