The Church of Skulls in San Bernardino

The Church of Skulls in San Bernardino

The Church of Skulls in San Bernardino is located in Milan in northern Italy. It is a church decorated with a large number of human skulls and bones and is the most well-known ossuary church in Italy, filled with an air of mystery. Brave visitors can explore this eerie church.

In 1210, the cemetery did not have enough space to bury the dead, so a room was built to store human bones. A church was established here in 1269, but unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in 1712. A new church was built on the same site in 1776. To alleviate the increasing pressure from the growing number of bones, they were used as decorations within the church—both the bones of devout believers and the skulls of those executed for crimes. It is said that touching them can absolve one’s sins.

The pendentives of the church are neatly stacked with human skulls and bones, which do not evoke a sense of horror at all but rather resemble a work of art for everyone to admire. In addition, niches and doors are adorned with bones in the Rococo style.

Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa

Reason to visit: Italy's most famous ossuary church

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Lombardy Region [Lombardy Region]

City where the attraction is located: Milan [Milan]