Hallstatt Charnel House

Inside St. Michael's Chapel, 1,200 human skulls line the walls, with 610 painted in traditional patterns. Each skull bears unique decorations - roses, laurels, or ivy - marking family connections and life stories.

At St. Michael's Chapel in Hallstatt, Austria, you'll walk among 1,200 human skulls, including 610 with hand-painted decorations. The 12th-century ossuary sits next to the Catholic parish church, where you can examine skulls painted with roses, laurels, and ivy - each symbol carrying specific meaning. In 1995, the collection received its most recent addition when a local woman's final wish brought her skull to join the centuries-old display.

Getting to the Bone House

From the Hallstatt ferry station, walk 7 minutes to reach St. Michael's Chapel. If you drive, park at one of four designated lots (P1-P4), with walking times ranging from 15 to 40 minutes. The chapel sits on a hillside overlooking Lake Hallstatt. You'll need to climb steep steps to reach it. Three different passages lead to the ossuary behind the church and cemetery - take the second passage for an easier but longer walk.

The Skull Collection

You'll find more than 1,200 skulls lined up along the walls of the underground chamber. Women's skulls display colorful flower patterns, while men's skulls have ivy motifs. Look closely to see birth dates, death dates, and family names painted on each skull, documenting Hallstatt's former residents. Family members' skulls sit together in groups, making it easy to trace family connections.

Painting Traditions and Symbolism

Families began painting skulls in 1720 to preserve their relatives' identities. Skulls from the 1700s show darker garland patterns, while 1800s skulls have brighter floral designs. Each painted symbol has meaning: roses for love, laurels for valor, and crosses for religious devotion. The decorations often reflect the deceased person's character or life achievements.

Visiting Information

Visit the Bone House daily from May through September, 10:00 to 18:00, with shorter hours in winter. Adults pay €2.00, children €0.50. Your ticket includes an information pamphlet about the customs and symbols. The site prohibits photography due to previous visitor misconduct. The ossuary closes during religious holidays, including All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

The Chapel Structure

St. Michael's Chapel has two levels. The upper gothic level contains stained-glass windows depicting St. Michael holding the Balance of Life. The lower level houses the charnel house with the bone collection. The compact room layout lets you examine the skulls while maintaining proper preservation conditions.