Chapel of Bones
Évora
The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) is a unique and macabre monument located adjacent to the Church of St. Francis in Évora, Portugal. Constructed in the 17th century by Franciscan friars, the chapel’s interior walls and pillars are decorated with an estimated 5,000 human skulls and bones exhumed from local cemeteries. This somber decoration serves as a poignant reminder of the transitory nature of life, emphasized by the inscription at the entrance, "We bones that are here await yours." The chapel measures approximately 18.7 meters in length and 11 meters in width, with natural light filtering through three small openings. Its white painted brick ceiling is adorned with death motifs, reinforcing its penitential atmosphere. Notably, two desiccated corpses, including that of a child, are displayed in glass cases within the chapel. A famous poem by Father António da Ascenção Teles hangs on one of the pillars, inviting visitors to contemplate existence and mortality. The Chapel of Bones is part of the Convent and Church of St. Francis, a National Monument since 1910, and underwent significant restoration between 2014 and 2015 to preserve its structure and enhance its sacred art museum. This chapel remains one of Évora’s most visited and evocative landmarks, blending religious symbolism with striking artistic expression.
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Astuce: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and experience a more contemplative atmosphere. Tickets can be purchased on-site, but consider buying combined tickets for the Church of St. Francis and Chapel of Bones to save time. Modest dress is recommended out of respect for the sacred site. Photography is usually allowed but check current rules. The chapel is accessible by foot from Évora’s city center and is well-signposted.
Faits intéressants
- •Approximately 5,000 human skeletons were used to decorate the chapel's interior walls and pillars.
- •The chapel includes two desiccated corpses displayed in glass cases, one of which is a child.
- •The inscription at the entrance reads, "We bones that are here await yours," emphasizing the chapel's memento mori message.
- •A poem by Father António da Ascenção Teles, dating from the mid-19th century, hangs inside the chapel, urging visitors to reflect on mortality.
- •The chapel was built on the site of the original Franciscan friars' dormitory and serves as a penitential monument from the Counter-Reformation era.
Histoire
The Chapel of Bones was built in the 17th century by three Franciscan monks as a reflection of the Counter-Reformation spirit, aiming to remind visitors of life's transience.
It was constructed on the site of the original Franciscan friars' dormitory.
To create the chapel, bones from about 42 monastic cemeteries in the Évora region were exhumed and artistically arranged to decorate the walls and pillars.
The Church of St.
Francis, to which the chapel is attached, has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
Between 2014 and 2015, the chapel underwent a major restoration costing €3.5 million, which included the repair of structural damage and the creation of a museum for sacred art and temporary exhibitions.
Guide du lieu
Entrance Inscription17th century
At the chapel's entrance, the phrase "Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos" (We bones that are here await yours) sets a somber tone, reminding visitors of mortality before entering.
Bone-Decorated Walls and Pillars17th century
The walls and eight pillars are covered with carefully arranged human skulls and bones, held together with cement, creating patterns that emphasize the chapel's penitential atmosphere.
Ceiling with Death Motifs17th century
The white painted brick ceiling features allegorical death motifs, reinforcing the chapel’s theme of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
Poem by Father António da Ascenção TelesMid-19th century
An old wooden frame holds a poem attributed to Father António da Ascenção Teles (parish priest from 1845 to 1848), inviting visitors to pause and reflect on their mortality.
Desiccated Corpses in Glass Cases
Two mummified bodies, one of which is a child, are displayed in glass cases within the chapel, adding to its solemn and reflective atmosphere.
Contact
Téléphone: 266 704 521
