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Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)

This unassuming chapel in Portugal plays host to a ghoulish collection of bones.

Alcantarilha, Portugal

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Annie Souza
Capela dos Ossos   gingercinnamon
The altar of Capela dos Ossos.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
The walls and ceiling of the chapel.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
A skull pillar within the chapel.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
Sign of Capela dos Ossos.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
Chapel of bones   mdesoer / Atlas Obscura User
  gijsvdelsen / Atlas Obscura User
Outside of Capela dos Ossos.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
Close up of skull wall within the chapel.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
  nicolab / Atlas Obscura User
Outside of Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição.   annietravels / Atlas Obscura User
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Portugal plays host to several bone chapels that are located across the country. Just behind a church in Alcantarilha, sits one of the country's more hidden chapel of bones. 

Inside the 16th-century chapel, the remains of an estimated 5,000 skeletons make up the walls, ceiling, and even the altar. You’ll usually have the chapel all to yourself—an unusual feature of most bone chapels in Portugal. It makes for an intimate, yet macabre experience.

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Bones

Know Before You Go

When facing the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Church of Our Lady of Conception) head to the right of it. The chapel has it's own entrance and is free to enter.

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annietravels

Published

August 5, 2019

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