The Capela dos Ossos- Inside Portugal’s Chapel of Bones in Évora
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Portugal’s Chapel of Bones in Évora is one of the city’s most unique and mesmerizing attractions. Located inside the Church of St. Francis, the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) is adorned with the meticulously arranged skulls and bones of about 5,000 people who lived during medieval times.
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History of the Capela dos Ossos
The origin story of Évora’s Chapel of Bones is similar to that of other famous ossuaries around the world– it was built because the city’s graveyards were overcrowded.
With a lack of burial space in Évora by the 16th century, local Franciscan monks decided to exhume thousands of skeletons of ordinary people so their graves could be used for new burials. Instead of randomly piling the bones into an ossuary, the monks created a special chapel to display them as a symbol of mortality.
Design and Features of the Chapel of Bones
The first hint of what to expect inside the Capela dos Ossos is written above the doorway: “We bones that are here for yours await.” It’s a message that reminds one of the inevitability of death, which is perhaps exactly what the monks intended to convey with the creation of this chapel.
Stepping inside the Chapel of Bones you’ll notice its modest size, measuring 18.7 meters long and 11 meters wide, but its interior design is anything but simple.
Covering the walls and pillars are skulls and bones tightly arranged into rows and arches that create an eye-catching pattern down the length of the chapel. The vaulted ceiling is painted with frescos of death motifs and skulls accent the arches. Blue and yellow tiles along the base of the walls add some colour to the otherwise macabre decoration.
At the end of the chapel is a golden altar decorated with a crucifix and Corinthian columns. In front of the altar is the tomb of Bishop Jacinto Carlos da Silveira, who died in 1808.
Off to the side of the altar is a small marble coffin that contains the remains of three monks.
Another interesting feature inside the Capela dos Ossos is the two mummies lying in display cases. They were originally thought to be father and son, but a scientific investigation concluded that they’re unrelated females- one between the ages of 30 and 50 and the other just 2 or 3 years old.
Final Words
The Chapel of Bones is well worth visiting when in Évora, especially if you enjoy unique historic and religious sites.
The chapel can feel fascinating and unsettling at the same time, but it’s important to remember that the chapel was created to elicit reflection about the transitory nature of life rather than a fear of death.
Practical Information for Visiting the Chapel of Bones
Location: The Chapel of Bones is located in Évora, Portugal inside the Church of St. Francis. The address is Praça 1º de Maio 4, 7000-650 Évora.
Hours: Current opening hours can be found here.
Admission Fees: Yes. There is a single ticket to visit the Capela dos Ossos and the museum areas. Visits to the church are free.
Tours: Here is a trusted site where you can book tours of Évora, many of which include a visit to the Chapel of Bones.
More Ossuaries to Visit Around the World
- Paris Catacombs- History, Facts and Tips for Visiting
- Douaumont Ossuary- Memorial for the Battle of Verdun’s Unknown Soldiers