Stone House

The Stone House (Kamenný dům) is one of the finest late Gothic burgher houses in Kutná Hora, standing in the heart of the town's UNESCO-listed historic centre.

The building took its present form at the end of the 15th century, commissioned by Prokop Kroupa, a wealthy townsman and mining entrepreneur who was raised to the nobility in 1499. Two upper floors and a distinctive triangular gable were added on top of an older, pre-Hussite ground plan, traces of which still survive in the cellars and parts of the ground floor. The richly carved facade — widely attributed to Master Brikcí of Wrocław, one of the leading stonemasons active in the Kutná Hora region at the time — features knightly figures on the gable that are thought to reference the owner's newly granted noble status.

Despite its age, the nickname "stone" only entered written records in 1660. Ownership changed hands repeatedly over the following centuries until the town itself acquired the house in the 19th century. A renovation in 1839 significantly altered the original interior layout, prompting a purist restoration at the turn of the 20th century (1901–1902), led by Ludvík Láber, aimed at recovering the house's earlier appearance. The most recent major renovation took place in autumn 1999, when the building reopened to the public as a museum space.

What will you see?

The Stone House is a textbook example of late Gothic patrician architecture: a tall, triangular gable pierced by Gothic windows, slender pinnacles, and an ornate double gateway make an immediate impression from the street. Inside, the house hosts one of the exhibitions of the Czech Museum of Silver, dedicated to the more recent history of Kutná Hora and to the artistic craftsmanship produced in the town between the 17th and 19th centuries — a chance to see everyday objects and decorative work alongside the architecture itself.

How to get there?

The house stands within Vnitřní Město, Kutná Hora's historic core, just a short walk from the main square and St Barbara's Cathedral. The old town is best explored on foot; parking directly next to the historic centre is limited, so it's worth leaving a car in one of the lots on the edge of town and walking in.

When to visit?

Kutná Hora draws steady crowds year-round, so spring and early autumn tend to be the most pleasant times to explore the old town, with fewer visitors than in peak summer and comfortable weather for walking. It's worth checking the museum's current opening hours before visiting, as they can vary by season.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Stone House? Its current appearance dates from a late-15th-century rebuilding commissioned by Prokop Kroupa, a wealthy Kutná Hora townsman and mining entrepreneur. The elaborate facade carving is attributed to Master Brikcí of Wrocław.

Where does the name come from? The nickname "stone" first appears in records from 1660, even though the building itself is considerably older, with parts dating back to the pre-Hussite period.

What can visitors see inside? The house belongs to the Czech Museum of Silver and holds an exhibition on Kutná Hora's later history and its 17th- to 19th-century artistic craftsmanship.

Is the Stone House part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site? Yes — it forms part of the historic centre of Kutná Hora, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.