Italian Court (Vlašský Dvůr) | Kutna Hora

The Italian Court (Vlašský Dvůr) is a fortified palace and former royal mint located in the center of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic. It served as the economic center of the Kingdom of Bohemia due to the local silver mining industry and the production of the Prague Groschen.

Visual Characteristics

The complex features a stone masonry exterior with a dominant Neo-Gothic appearance resulting from late 19th-century reconstructions. It includes a central courtyard surrounded by two-story buildings, a tall rectangular tower, and an ornate royal chapel with painted murals and Art Nouveau altars. The architectural style transitions from original 13th-century Gothic foundations to Renaissance and 19th-century decorative elements.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated at Havlíčkovo náměstí 552/1, approximately 1km west of the main Kutná Hora train station (hlavní nádraží). It is accessible via the local train shuttle to Kutná Hora Město or by bus lines 702, 705, and 802. Limited paid parking is available at nearby Havlíčkovo Square, with larger parking lots located 400 meters away at Na Valech.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction originated in the late 13th century as a royal castle and treasury under King Wenceslaus II. It was converted into a central mint in 1300 following the Ems Code (Ius Regale Montanorum) mining reforms, which invited Italian coin-smiths from Florence to oversee the minting process, giving the site its name.

Key Highlights & Activities

Guided tours include the Royal Minting Room, the Audience Hall, and the Royal Chapel of Saints Wenceslaus and Ladislaus. Visitors can participate in coin-minting demonstrations to produce replicas of the Prague Groschen. The "Mystery of the Kutná Hora Underground" exhibition is located in the cellar levels and focuses on local mining history.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site provides public restrooms, a souvenir shop, and a tourist information center within the main courtyard. Benches and trees offer shade in the exterior courtyard areas. 4G/5G cellular signal is available throughout the facility. There are no food vendors inside the palace walls, but multiple restaurants are located within a 100-meter radius on the square.

Best Time to Visit

For interior photography of the chapel and audience hall, morning hours provide the most consistent natural light through the Gothic windows. The best visiting months are May through September for optimal walking weather in the historic center. The facility remains open year-round, though tour frequencies decrease during the winter months (November to March).

Facts & Legends

The "Decree of Kutná Hora" was signed here in 1409 by King Wenceslaus IV, which altered the voting rights at Charles University in favor of the Czech nation. A local legend states that a ghost of a former mint master wanders the cellars, guarding the silver that was lost or stolen during the Hussite Wars.

Nearby Landmarks

St. James’ Church – 0.1km West

Paskal Pillar (Plague Column) – 0.3km Northwest

Czech Museum of Silver (Hrádek) – 0.5km West

Stone Fountain – 0.6km Northwest

St. Barbara's Cathedral – 0.8km West