This is a truly macabre tour around Europe’s most famous places of rest for the dead. This is are the most incredible images taken from ossuaries and charnel houses around the world.
St Gratianus
St Gratianus is enrobed in rich jewels and fine fabric befitting his state as a martyr. It is known he died for his faith because his bones stand above a chalice filled with dried blood. His remains are on display in the Basilica of Waldsassen in Germany.
St Pancratius
The Bones of St Pancratius are found at the Church of St Niklaus in Wil, Switzerland. He was originally robed in clothes by nuns in the late 1600s but in 1777 – the centenary of his bones arriving in Wil – he was dressed in this magnificent commissioned suit of armour.
Vincenzo Piccini
Vincenzo Piccini is the only clothed mummy in the Chiesa Dei Morti of the Confrternity of Buona Morte in Urbania, Italy. He is dressed in the robes of the religious order he was a member of and he wears the silver badge of death.
Virgin
This bonneted lady can be found in the Chapel of Virgins in the Crypt of the Monastery of Santa Maria Della Pace in Palermo, Italy. She is one of four virgins placed on a ledge holding palm fronds signifying the triumph of faith.
Sedlec Ossuary
The Sedlec Ossuary (Ossuary of All Saints) in the Czech Republic is one of the most famous bone houses in the world. It doesn’t just lay the bones to rest – it uses them as extravagant deathly decorations. It is especially famed for the huge chandelier made entirely of human remains – part of which can be seen in the top left of this photograph.
READ MORE: The Most Famous Human Body Parts
St Gratianus
St Gratianus is enrobed in rich jewels and fine fabric befitting his state as a martyr. It is known he died for his faith because his bones stand above a chalice filled with dried blood. His remains are on display in the Basilica of Waldsassen in Germany.
St Pancratius
The Bones of St Pancratius are found at the Church of St Niklaus in Wil, Switzerland. He was originally robed in clothes by nuns in the late 1600s but in 1777 – the centenary of his bones arriving in Wil – he was dressed in this magnificent commissioned suit of armour.
Vincenzo Piccini
Vincenzo Piccini is the only clothed mummy in the Chiesa Dei Morti of the Confrternity of Buona Morte in Urbania, Italy. He is dressed in the robes of the religious order he was a member of and he wears the silver badge of death.
Virgin
This bonneted lady can be found in the Chapel of Virgins in the Crypt of the Monastery of Santa Maria Della Pace in Palermo, Italy. She is one of four virgins placed on a ledge holding palm fronds signifying the triumph of faith.
Sedlec Ossuary
The Sedlec Ossuary (Ossuary of All Saints) in the Czech Republic is one of the most famous bone houses in the world. It doesn’t just lay the bones to rest – it uses them as extravagant deathly decorations. It is especially famed for the huge chandelier made entirely of human remains – part of which can be seen in the top left of this photograph.
READ MORE: The Most Famous Human Body Parts