The real history behind Kuttenberg in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: how Kutná Hora became the silver crown of medieval Bohemia

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The medieval origins of Kuttenberg

In the 13th century, the area that would become Kuttenberg was primarily pastoral, with small rural settlements and no significant urban development. However, as the 13th century drew to a close, the area's rich veins of silver ore (which had first been located in the 10th century) were recognised for their economic potential.

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Once large mining operations commenced, the exploitation of this newfound resource transformed the location from a small collection of scattered settlements into a thriving hub of activity.

By the 1290s, the settlement was formally brought under the control of the Bohemian crown, with royal oversight ensuring that the taxes and profits from silver production directly enriched the Kingdom of Bohemia – the predecessor to the Czech Republic.

The silver mines were so productive that they rivalled some of the most famous mining centres in Europe. This economic windfall required a steady influx of skilled labourers, and the growing population rapidly transformed Kuttenberg into a bustling urban centre.

Artisans, merchants, and miners flooded the city, drawn by the promise of work and prosperity, turning it into one of Bohemia’s most vital economic strongholds.

Kuttenberg’s expansion

By the 14th and early 15th centuries, Kuttenberg had become second only to Prague in wealth and significance within the Kingdom of Bohemia. And the silver from Kuttenberg did not merely fund local trade and development; it fuelled the ambitions of Bohemian kings on the European stage.

The city’s economic might was most clearly demonstrated in the production of the Prague groschen, a silver coin introduced in 1300 under the reign of King Wenceslas II. This stable and widely accepted currency solidified Bohemia's economic influence across central Europe and beyond.

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Kuttenberg’s strategic importance also extended to its role in the administration of the Bohemian crown.

Kings and high-ranking officials frequently visited the city to oversee mining operations and the minting process. Merchants and bankers from across Europe established a presence in the city, ensuring that its wealth circulated far beyond its borders.

The economic power generated by the city allowed the crown to invest in magnificent architectural and cultural projects, both in Kuttenberg itself and throughout Bohemia.

Who lived in Kuttenberg?

While Kuttenberg’s silver enriched the nobility and monarchy, life for the miners who extracted it was gruelling and perilous. Working deep underground in cramped, poorly ventilated tunnels, miners endured treacherous conditions. The risk of cave-ins, flooding, and exposure to toxic fumes was ever-present.

Mining technology of the time relied on manual labour, with men chipping away at rock using iron tools, while wooden supports held back the ever-looming threat of collapse.

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Despite these dangers, the promise of relatively high wages compared to agricultural work attracted labourers from across central Europe.

Above ground, the bustling city catered to the needs of this workforce, with markets, workshops, and taverns creating a lively atmosphere. The city’s economy thrived on the wealth generated by the mines, ensuring that Kuttenberg remained a hub of trade and industry.

Kuttenberg’s grand buildings

One of Kuttenberg’s most prominent symbols is the Church of St Barbara, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture commissioned in the late 14th century. Dedicated to the patron saint of miners, the church was a powerful proclamation of the city’s affluence and identity.

Its intricate design, featuring flying buttresses and elaborate frescoes, showcased the skill and ambition of its architects and builders. Construction of the church stretched across centuries, often delayed by economic fluctuations and warfare. Despite this, St Barbara’s Church remains one of the most breathtaking examples of medieval architecture in Central Europe.

Kuttenberg’s role in the Hussite wars

The 15th century brought profound upheaval – and war – to Kuttenberg.

The rise of the religious reformer Jan Hus and the subsequent Hussite movement sparked widespread conflict throughout Bohemia. The Hussites, who sought to reform the Catholic Church and reject its excesses, clashed violently with Catholic loyalists.

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Kuttenberg, a predominantly Catholic city, found itself at the centre of these conflicts. In 1420, the city played a crucial role when it sided with the royalist forces against the Hussites. The city became a target for Hussite attacks, and its economic activity was severely disrupted by the ongoing warfare.

The conflict strained mining operations and trade, marking the beginning of the city’s gradual decline.

Kuttenberg’s decline

The Hussite Wars significantly weakened Kuttenberg’s position on Europe’s stage, but even after the conflicts ended, the city faced additional challenges.

The once-rich silver veins began to yield less and less, leading to a decline in production. As mining profits shrank, so too did the city’s influence and prosperity.

By the late 16th century, Kuttenberg had lost much of its former dominance, overshadowed by other rising economic centres within Bohemia.

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Now, centuries later, Kutná Hora stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich heritage and astonishing architecture, with interest in it no doubt revitalised by its prominence in Kingdom Come Deliverance: 2.