Chapel of Bones

The Chapel of Bones, the Capela dos Ossos, is a chapel of the Church and Convent of São Francisco in Évora, whose walls and eight pillars are lined with human bones and skulls. Three Franciscan friars built it in the 17th century to show the passing nature of human life, and the words over its door read: "We bones that are here await yours".

The Church of São Francisco is a National Monument since 1910 and part of the Historic Centre of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to see at the Chapel of Bones

The chapel: three naves of about 18.7 by 11 metres, lit only by three small openings on the left side.
Bones and skulls: the bones of an estimated 5,000 people, set in brown mortar on the walls, the arches and the pillars.
Vaults: white-plastered brick vaults painted with motifs about death.
Senhor dos Passos: the image of Christ carrying the cross, to which the chapel is dedicated.
Church of São Francisco: the Gothic and Manueline church of the convent, beside the chapel.

History of the Chapel of Bones

16th century: about 42 monastic cemeteries in Évora take up space that the growing city needs.
17th century: three Franciscan friars build the chapel on the site of the friars' dormitory and use the bones taken from these cemeteries, in the spirit of the Counter-Reformation.
1910: the Church of São Francisco is classified as a National Monument.

Visiting the Chapel of Bones

Location: the chapel is entered from the Church of São Francisco, on Praça 1.º de Maio, in the south of the old town.
Tickets: the church, the chapel and the museum of the convent are visited with one ticket.