Italian Court
The Italian Court is one of the most important monuments in Kutná Hora that significantly influenced Czech history. It served as a royal residence and the most important royal mint in our territory. The Italian Court is a symbol of the economic power of medieval Bohemia, where Kutná Hora was essentially the treasury of Europe. It recalls the time when Kutná Hora ranked among the most important cities in Europe. It is a national cultural monument and part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Visitor Information (opening hours, admission, parking – see below)
The Royal Mint – Where Coinage Took Place:
- Coin smithies: workshops where silver was processed and prepared into blanks for minting. Originally there were seventeen, each bearing the emblem of the town from which the moneyer came.
- Preghaus (coining hall): where silver blanks were struck into Prague groschen (silver coins).
The Royal Palace – The Representative Residence of the King in Kutná Hora:
- Audience Hall (Great Hall): a ceremonial room where royal meetings were held, including the election of kings (such as Vladislaus II Jagiellon) or the signing of the Kutná Hora Decree. Today it features a Neo-Gothic wooden ceiling and 19th-century wall paintings depicting important historical events.
- Chapel of St. Wenceslas and St. Ladislaus: a Gothic chapel on the first floor of the palace, notable for its ribbed vault, five-sided apse, and rich decoration. It contains valuable late-Gothic altars and 19th-century Art Nouveau murals. Beneath it lies the private chapel of King Wenceslas IV.
- Royal Treasury: located below St. Wenceslas Chapel, secured with iron-plated doors and marked with the Latin inscription “Noli me tangere” (“Do not touch me!”) – a warning to anyone tempted to steal silver or coins.
Cellars: originally used for various purposes, including storing silver. Today they feature interactive exhibitions.
Courtyard: the central space connecting the various parts of the complex and serving as its main communication hub.
Tower: the dominant square tower with battlements gives the Italian Court its characteristic silhouette and highlights its defensive function.
Origins of the Italian Court
At first, a stone fortress was built on the edge of a steep slope above the left bank of the Vrchlice stream. It served defensive purposes and for storing ore. The site was strategically chosen – on the southern edge of the emerging Kutná Hora.
The annual silver production of Kutná Hora, at its peak, reached several tons, representing the vast majority of Czech output and a significant portion of European production. This wealth financed, among other things, the magnificent constructions of the Luxembourg dynasty and strengthened the power of Czech kings.
King Wenceslas II, in the 13th century, established a central royal mint here as part of his reform of Czech coinage. At that time, there were 17 separate mints in the kingdom (in Prague, Pilsen, Malín, Znojmo, Cheb, České Budějovice, and others), each minting its own coins. The reform centralized all mints in one place – Kutná Hora, in the Italian Court. Each original mint received its own šmitna, a separate workshop where silver blanks were prepared for minting. The walled-up entrances of the 17 smithies can still be seen in the courtyard today.
As part of the reform, a unified currency – the Prague groschen – began to be minted. Silver blanks came from the workshops to the minting hall and left as final silver coins. These were high-quality silver coins used for several centuries.
Why the Name “Italian Court”?
The name “Italian Court” appeared around the year 1400. In Latin sources, it was originally referred to as Curia Italica (Italian Court) or Curia Walachica (Vlach Court), referencing Italian experts from Florence, called “Vlachs,” who worked here during the coinage reform. Italians were among the best minters of the Middle Ages.
Because of Kutná Hora’s importance, King Wenceslas II often visited, and thus representative royal rooms were created.
The Golden Era under Wenceslas IV
The Italian Court reached its greatest prosperity under King Wenceslas IV at the turn of the 14th 14. and 15th centuries. The monarch had the original simple building rebuilt into a magnificent two-story palace with a tower and chapel, creating a representative royal residence.
During this time, important political events took place here. In 1409, Wenceslas IV signed the Decree of Kutná Hora here, which affected the administration of Prague University and changed the balance between Czech and foreign students in favor of the Czechs.
Life in the Royal Mint
The Italian Court was truly the heart of the Czech Kingdom’s economy. Specialists of various professions worked in the mint (preghaus):
- Pregéř: chief of the mint
- Smelters in the room where silver was smelted
- Metal preparers: refined the metal for coining
- Coiners, who made the final coins
- Assayers: who checked the quality of materials and coins
For obvious reasons, the entire operation was strictly guarded. Valuables were kept in the treasury beneath the royal chapel. Above the entrance to the treasury is still carved the Latin warning: “Noli me tangere” – “Do not touch me!”
Architecture of the Italian Court
The architecture of the Italian Court reflects centuries of development. Despite later modifications, its Gothic character remains visible, especially in its structure and layout.
The Italian Court has an irregular square ground plan with four wings around an inner courtyard. From the courtyard, portals lead to workshops (šmitny) of the royal mining towns. The walls were thick enough to protect valuable silver and coins, and the layout facilitated smooth operation of the mint. The entire complex was gradually designed to serve multiple purposes – minting, administration, and royal representation.
Early Gothic foundations: the original mint had robust and functional architecture. Parts of the perimeter walls and some cellars from this period have survived.
he most notable architectural feature is the Royal Palace in the northern part of the complex – a three-story building with richly decorated pointed-arch windows and tracery, typical of Gothic style. Particularly impressive is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, located on the first floor. It represents High Gothic architecture with a star vault and rich decoration.
Under Vladislaus II Jagiellon, late Gothic modifications were made. Later, especially after fires, the court acquired some Renaissance elements, though to a lesser extent. These appear, for example, in some portals or window shapes that show the transition to the new style.
Tower and entrance gate: the dominant feature of the entire complex is the tower with battlements, giving the Italian Court its distinctive silhouette and emphasizing its defensive role. The original entrance gate had a drawbridge over a moat to secure the complex.
Residence of Kings and Nobles
Kings who verifiably stayed here include:
- Wenceslas II initiated its founding at the end of the 13th century as a central royal mint.
- Wenceslas IV. was particularly fond of the Italian Court and had it significantly rebuilt into his residential seat. He spent much time here, and the Italian Court even became his seat at the turn of the 14th 14. and 15th centuries. It was here in 1409 that he signed the famous Decree of Kutná Hora.
- Vladislaus II Jagiellon was also closely connected to the Italian Court. He was elected King of Bohemia here in 1471. During his reign, further modifications were made to the residential section of the court.
- George of Poděbrady was elected provincial administrator here.
- Sigismund of Luxembourg took refuge here during the Hussite Wars.
In addition to monarchs, many other prominent figures appeared at the Italian Court, especially related to its role as the central mint and important political center.
- High mint masters: very influential royal officials managing mint operations and coin production. Their residence, the Mint Master’s House, was located directly by the Italian Court.
- Italian minters and pregers: from the beginning, experienced experts from Florence (Vlachs) were invited to Kutná Hora, contributing to the establishment and operation of Prague groschen minting.
- Various mint officials: coin clerks, officers controlling metal purity, die engravers, and others.
- Diplomats and envoys: as the Italian Court served as a royal residence and hosted important negotiations, foreign diplomats and envoys also stayed here.
The Prague Groschen – the First International Currency
The Prague groschen became the first truly international currency. It could be used for payment almost anywhere in Europe, from England to Eastern Europe. Its quality was so high that mints across Europe imitated it. The obverse depicts the royal crown with the ruler’s name, and the reverse shows a crowned double-tailed lion. The Prague groschen was minted for 250 years, from 1300 to 1547, when it was replaced by the thaler. It is estimated that over half a billion coins were produced.
Decline and Restoration
As the yield and efficiency of silver mines declined, the importance of the Italian Court also began to wane. Mint operations were gradually reduced and completely ended in 1727. The buildings started to deteriorate.
A turnaround came between 1893 and 1899, when architect Ludvík Lábler carried out extensive reconstruction in neo-Gothic style. He collaborated with sculptor and woodcarver Jan Kastner, whose works are so perfectly styled that art historians can hardly distinguish them from original medieval pieces.
Interesting Facts
Royal Treasury with Warning
Beneath the royal chapel is the legendary treasury with massive iron-clad doors. Above the entrance is the Latin warning carved in stone: “Do not touch me!” – meant to deter thieves from the royal treasures.
Strict Guarding and Death Penalty
Security of the mint was an absolute priority. Theft of silver or coin counterfeiting was punishable by death. Offenders were publicly executed, and their bodies displayed as a deterrent.
Italian Experts and Secret Recipes
The name “Italian Court” comes from Italian experts invited by the king for their knowledge of minting, finance, and law. Italians guarded their secret alloy recipes and minting techniques as state secrets.
Royal Banquets and Diplomacy
Lavish banquets for foreign envoys were held in the Audience Hall, where the king demonstrated the wealth of the Czech Kingdom. Guests were impressed not only by the luxury but also by the sound of coin minting, symbolizing endless wealth.
Underground Passages and Hideouts
Beneath the Italian Court is a network of underground tunnels and storerooms. Local legends speak of secret escape routes that could lead the king to the Vrchlice River in case of danger.
What the Italian Court and the Tower of London Have in Common
Both places served as the monarch’s residence and as the royal mint – a unique combination rarely found in the world.
The Italian Court Today
Today, the Italian Court serves as a museum, cultural center, and also houses part of the town hall. It is open to the public and features:
- The exhibition “Royal Mint” – showing the process of medieval coin production.
- The museum “Revealing the Mysterious Face of Kutná Hora” – presenting true crimes from the town’s history with about 50 unique torture instruments.
- The Felix Jenewein Gallery – art exhibitions.
- The Museum of Kutná Hora Legends, Ghosts, and Spirits – an interactive exhibition of local legends.
UNESCO World Heritage
Since 1995, the Italian Court, together with St. Barbara’s Church, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This recognition confirms its exceptional European significance. The monument represents unique evidence of the importance of silver mining and minting for medieval Europe.
Visitor Information
The Italian Court can be visited with a guide who will show you the royal chambers, mint, and treasury. The tour lasts about one hour. You will see what the minting craft looked like in the Middle Ages and the entire production process – from ore mining, smelting, and processing to minting. There is also an exhibition of silver coins. You can even try minting your own groschen.
Opening hours:
Mon–Sun: 9:00–18:00 in high season (April–September)
Mon–Sun: 10:00–17:00 in mid-season (October or March)
Mon–Sun: 10:00–17:00 in low season (November–February)
Closed on December 24
Admission:
220 CZK adults (full tour)
190 CZK reduced (children, students, seniors)
600 CZK family (2 adults + up to 3 children)
Photography: allowed.
Public toilets: located in the park in front of the entrance to the Italian Court – very clean and free of charge.
Parking: if you are lucky, you can find a spot near the Italian Court; otherwise, several car parks are available in the city center.
How to Get to the Italian Court
The Italian Court is located in the historic center of Kutná Hora and is easy to find. It is a three-minute walk from Palacký Square. If you are coming from St. Barbara’s Church, you can reach it via the Jesuit College and the historic center in about 20 minutes.
By train: From the main station in Kutná Hora, it is several kilometers to the center, so it’s better to use public transport or a taxi. You can also change to a local train toward Zruč nad Sázavou and get off at the second stop – Městské nádraží (Town Station). From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk.
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