The strange and startling Chapel of Bones in Evora, Portugal

We only can guess what kind of thinkings had the monks decorating the chapel with human bones, but looking at the small skulls, one realizes how high was the children mortality rate in those cruel times...

This is not a scary place, but the place causing bewilderment and inner dislike.

The Chapel of Bones in Évora, Portugal, is part of the larger Royal Church of St. Francis, and was constructed by Franciscan monks in the late 16th century. By the 16th century, there were as many as 43 cemeteries in and around Évora that were taking up valuable land. Not wanting to condemn the souls of the people buried there, the monks decided to build the Chapel and relocate the bones of 5000 corpses.

A message above the chapel door says “We bones, are here, waiting for yours ones” making reflect on the transience of material things in the undeniable presence of death
The entrance fee for the Chapel of Bones is €5; €3,5; €12,5 (adult,child,family). The chapel is open every day except: 1 January; Easter Sunday; 24 December in the afternoon; 25 December

Summer time 9:00 to 6:30
Winter time 9:00 to 5:00

The Chapel of Bones

The Chapel of Bones

The Chapel of Bones

The Chapel of Bones