BONE HOUSE HALLSTATT

Bone House, Hallstatt: A macabre marvel, this small chapel in Hallstatt, Austria, houses intricately decorated skulls and bones. Known for its ossuary, it's a testament to the village's tradition of exhuming bodies to make room for new burials. A haunting yet fascinating glimpse into the region's history and customs.

Nestled in the picturesque village of Hallstatt, Austria, the Bone House, also known as the Hallstatt Beinhaus, is a small chapel housing a macabre yet fascinating collection of decorated human skulls. Dating back to the 12th century, this unique ossuary contains over 1,200 skulls, each intricately painted with floral patterns, names, and dates.

The tradition of decorating skulls began in the 18th century when overcrowding in the local cemetery led to the exhumation of bodies, and the skulls were placed in the chapel as a way to honor the deceased. Visitors to the Bone House can marvel at this eerie yet poignant display, reflecting on mortality and the passage of time. The chapel's location overlooking the serene Lake Hallstatt adds to its atmospheric charm, making it a must-visit destination for those intrigued by history and the macabre.