Capela dos Ossos: the chapel of Evora comprised of thousands of human bones

This religious building has been built from bones: there are skulls, femurs, tibias, humerus, clavicles and other parts of the body covering the walls...

There are holy places and burials in all countries, but some are truly out of the ordinary. We had already published an article on unusual cemeteries existing in the world, but also on spectacular places of worship , as well as on strange bones and catacombs that we find on the planet. We can say that the chapel we are going to present to you today brings together the peculiarities of these three titles: it is unusual, spectacular and strange!

The Capela dos Ossos (Chapelle d’os en français) is located in Portugal, in the city of Evora . On the ceiling and walls, there are many human bones that come from hundreds of bodies exhumed in the 16th century. Already at that time, cemeteries lacked room, so it was necessary to find a solution: why not "reinvest" the bones in cement to create a religious place? The project was launched. Since then, it’s a must-see place that scares as much as it fascinates tourists. The place can be cold in the back at first sight, but it is a unique experience of its kind to live for a few euros.

To put you in the mood directly, the architects of the old time did not forget to leave you a message. A phrase in Portuguese that means: "Our bones that are here await yours" . Doesn't it make you want to?

Main photo credit: Flickr – Feliciano Guimarães