Igreja de São Francisco (Capela dos Ossos), Évora 
The Church of St. Francis in Évora is known for its Capela dos Ossos
(Chapel of Bones). Photo by Mick L. Click for a larger version; see our
Capela dos Ossos Photo Gallery for many more photos.
"Crown molding" in the Capela dos Ossos. Photo by Mick L.
General view of the chapel. Photo by Nuno Sequeira André.
Photo by Mick L.
Wall of bones and skulls and a hanging corpse. Photo by Mick L.
The Igreja Real de São Francisco (Royal Church of St. Francis) in Évora is best known for its chapel that is not for the faint of heart. In the ghoulish Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones), entered next to the Church of St. Francis, the chancel walls and central pillars are artfully lined with human skulls and other parts of skeletons, held together by cement.
The Capela dos Ossos was built by a few 16th-century monks who wished to contemplate and communicate the message of the transitory nature of life. Over the door is a painted message that reminds visitors of their own mortality: Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos: "Our bones that are here await yours!"
The number of skeletons decorating the chapel has been estimated at 5,000, and legend has it that the bones came from soldiers who died in a major battle or from plague victims. It is likely, however, that they were collected from the cemeteries of local churches.
In addition to the bones embedded in the walls are two full corpses hanging from the wall near the ceiling. Their identities are unknown, but colorful legends abound: one popular story has it that they are an adulterous man and his infant son, cursed by the jealous wife. The bones of the monks responsible for the interior decorating are in a small white coffin inside the chapel.
The Church of St. Francis itself was built in the Gothic style with Manueline influences between 1460 and 1510.
Although not something you see everyday, Evora's Capela dos Ossos is not the only church decorated with human bones. See the cateogory "Dead on Display" for similar sites around the world.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Rua da República, Évora, Portugal |
| Contact: | 26/670-45-21 |
| Hours: | Daily 8:30am-1pm and 2:30-6pm |
| Cost: | €1 |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Capela dos Ossos. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Evora Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Frommer's Portugal, 19th Edition
- Peeling Back the Layers of Evora's History - Rick Steves' Europe
- Traveler Reviews of the Chapel of Bones - TripAdvisor
- Igreja de São Francisco (Évora) - Portuguese Wikipedia (Portuguese only)
- Capela dos Ossos - English Wikipedia
