Stop 1: St. Jacob’s Church (Kostel sv. Jakuba)

Quiz

What lies hidden beneath St. Jacob’s Church in Brno?

A) An ossuary storing the bones of tens of thousands of people
B) A secret medieval wine cellar used by the city’s monks
C) A network of underground tunnels filled with bats

Explanation:

Just off Freedom Square is the mighty St. Jacob’s Church, a striking example of Gothic architecture. While its soaring windows and beautiful interior draw plenty of admiration, the real secret lies underground: an ossuary containing the bones of over 50,000 people, making it the second-largest in Europe. Discovered by accident in 2001, the underground chamber now draws curious visitors who come to marvel (or shudder) at the neatly arranged skulls and bones. The church itself dates back to the 13th century and served as a burial place for many plague victims, which explains the bony basement. Today, you can tour the ossuary if you dare—just follow the signs nearby. But for now, you’ve just uncovered your first Brno mystery. Let’s keep going!

St.Jacobs church in Brno

Directions to next stop:

From St. Jacob’s, walk onto Jezuitská Street. Walk straight, then turn right onto Rooseveltova Street. Continue for a few blocks, and you’ll reach Malinovského Square. The grand white building with classical columns is Mahen’s Theater, your next destination.