Chapel of Bones (Évora)
Attraction
4.5 (9200 reviews)
The interior walls of this small, 16th-century chapel are lined with the bones & skulls of monks.
Praça 1º de Maio 4, 7000-650 Évora, Portugal
+351 266 704 521
Did You Know?
Bone Count
The Chapel of Bones is adorned with the bones and skulls of over 5,000 monks, creating a macabre mosaic.
Construction
The chapel was built in the 16th century by Franciscan monks who wanted to provoke visitors into contemplation and transcendence, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Inspiration
The chapel was built in the spirit of the Counter-Reformation, a period of Catholic revival that emphasized the importance of death and the afterlife.
Cultural Significance
The Chapel of Bones is often used as a powerful symbol of the historical connection between life and death in literature and art related to Évora.
Highlights from Reviews
• unique reflective experience
The Chapel of Bones offers a profoundly unique and thought-provoking encounter with mortality, prompting reflection on life and history.
• multi-attraction ticket
The ticket price includes access to a museum of sacred art, an extensive nativity scene collection, and a panoramic rooftop terrace.
• panoramic city views
The rooftop terrace provides fantastic panoramic views of Évora’s historic center and rooftops, offering a different perspective of the city.
• fascinating nativity museum
The museum's collection of nativity scenes from various cultures was surprisingly interesting and well-received by visitors.
• clear interpretive signage
The Chapel provides good signage, including the famous inscription, which helps visitors understand the history and message.
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