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Bone churches, more accurately called ossuaries, exist in several European countries, including Austria. The emergence of bone churches in Europe dates back to the early Middle Ages, when burgeoning populations and the Christian tradition of burying the dead in consecrated ground led to cemeteries reaching capacity. In Austria, graves are traditionally rented, and once the rental period is up, bones are exhumed and moved to a karner, or bone house. One such bone house, the Beinhaus in Hallstatt, contains over 1,200 skulls, more than 600 of which are painted with the name, profession, and death dates of their previous owners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for construction | Graves in Austria are rented for a short period of time, after which the bones are exhumed and moved to a karner or bone house. |
| Location | Hallstatt, Austria |
| Number of skulls | Over 1200, with more than 600 painted and sorted by family |
| Skull decorations | Names, initials, wreaths, coloured crosses, flower ornamentation, green leaves, dates of birth and death, and symbols like laurels and roses |
| Construction and maintenance | Requires significant labor and expertise for construction and regular maintenance |
| Design | Bones are used to create walls, partitions, arches, columns, and decorative features such as chandeliers, coats of arms, and religious symbols |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's tradition of renting graves
Austria has a tradition of renting graves, which is why bone churches were constructed in the country. In Austrian graveyards, graves are rented for a period, after which the bones are exhumed and moved to a karner, or bone house. This is due to the limited space in Austrian graveyards, especially in cities with huge populations. The small Austrian village of Hallstatt, for example, has a short grave-rental period of 10 years. After the rental period ends, the skull or bones are transferred to a charnel house or ossuary, which is usually located within a church.
The practice of renting graves in Austria is a practical solution to the limited space available for burials, especially in urban areas. This tradition has led to the creation of bone churches or ossuaries, which are unique and intriguing attractions that draw visitors from around the world.
The bone house in St. Michael's Chapel in Hallstatt is one of the most well-known examples of a bone church in Austria. The chapel, which dates back to the 12th century, houses over 600 artistically painted skulls. The skulls were decorated primarily during the 19th century and belonged to a cultural area consisting mainly of the eastern Alpine region, including Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol. The paintings and inscriptions on the skulls served to identify the deceased individuals, with names, professions, and death dates adorning the skulls.
The tradition of renting graves and the subsequent creation of bone churches is a fascinating aspect of Austrian culture and history. It reflects the country's approach to managing burial space and remembering the dead. While it may seem unusual to some, it is a practical solution to the challenges of limited space, especially in densely populated urban areas.
The bone churches of Austria, and Europe more broadly, serve as reminders of mortality and the passage of time. They are a testament to the cultural and artistic expressions that arise even from death. While the concept of renting graves and housing bones in churches may be unfamiliar to some, it is a long-standing tradition that has shaped the landscape and culture of Austria, as evidenced by the presence of famous graves in Vienna's Zentralfriedhof.
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The process of constructing bone churches
Constructing a bone church, or ossuary, is a complex and time-consuming process that requires significant labour and expertise. The process typically begins with the exhumation of bodies from existing graves. In Austria, graves are often rented for a short period, usually 7-10 years, after which the bones are exhumed and moved to a bone house. This allows for new burials in the same plot.
Once the bodies are exhumed, the bones are meticulously cleaned and disinfected, often by boiling or treating them with lime. Some bones may also be bleached to achieve a uniform appearance. After cleaning, the bones are sorted by type and size, and those in the best condition are selected for display. Damaged or fragmented bones may be stored separately or used in less visible areas.
The construction of bone arrangements is a skilled task, often undertaken by monks or specialised craftsmen. Long bones such as femurs and tibias are often used to create walls or partitions within the church, and they can be load-bearing or purely decorative. Skulls are frequently arranged in alcoves or niches, creating a striking visual effect. These may be organised by size, shape, or presumed age at death. In some cases, skulls are painted and decorated with the names, professions, and death dates of the deceased.
In more elaborate ossuaries, bones are used to create intricate decorative features such as chandeliers, coats of arms, or religious symbols. Many bone churches include a crypt or underground chamber where additional remains are stored, often in a less ornate manner. The overall layout of a bone church typically follows that of a traditional church, with a nave, chancel, and sometimes side chapels. However, the usual church furnishings are often minimal or absent, with the bone arrangements taking centre stage.
Bone churches require regular maintenance, including cleaning, repairing any damage, and sometimes rearranging bones. As these structures age, preservation becomes a key concern, and many have undergone extensive restoration work to stabilise both the bones and the surrounding architecture.
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The Hallstatt Beinhaus in Austria
The Hallstatt Beinhaus, or "Bone House", is a 12th-century charnel house in Hallstatt, Austria. It is located in the centre of the town, next to the Catholic parish church, and is one of the most interesting tourist sites in Hallstatt. Visitors come from all over the world to admire the collection of over 600 painted skulls, with some sources claiming there are over 1200 skulls in total. The skulls are sorted by family and labelled with names, initials, professions, and death dates. The paintings and inscriptions were added to preserve the identity of the deceased family member.
Skull painting was carried out primarily during the 19th century and belonged to a cultural area that mainly consisted of the eastern Alpine region (the Austrian Innviertel, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Bavaria). The custom is still in use in modern times in Hallstatt. The skulls with wreaths are the oldest, with darker wreaths indicating older skulls. The latest examples of this type of painting are thin wreaths and coloured crosses with contoured edges. This is followed by flower ornamentation on the forehead and then green leaves on the temples (oak, ivy, or oleander).
The Hallstatt Beinhaus is a result of the limited space for burials in the town. In Hallstatt, graves are rented for a period of 10 years, after which the skull or bones are exhumed and moved to the Beinhaus as part of a second funeral. This tradition is unique to Hallstatt, as most other bone churches in Europe are filled with the bones of people who died hundreds of years ago.
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The history of Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a small town in the district of Gmunden, in the Austrian state of Upper Austria. It is situated between the southwestern shore of Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif. The town is known for its salt production, which dates back to prehistoric times. The salt mines in the area were exploited by humans from the 8th to the 5th centuries BC.
Hallstatt gave its name to the early Iron Age Celtic Hallstatt culture, which existed from c. 800 to 450 BC. The Hallstatt period is characterised by the emergence of iron swords and daggers, which were often found in burial sites. The town became a centre for salt production during the Bronze Age, with salt being produced in large quantities through highly organised processes.
In 1846, Johann Georg Ramsauer discovered a large prehistoric cemetery near Hallstatt, containing over 1,000 burials. Ramsauer's excavation work continued until 1863, and he meticulously measured, drew, and painted each find. The discovery of this cemetery and the artefacts within it provided valuable insights into the complex society of the Hallstatt civilisation.
Hallstatt has a long history of salt mining, which has shaped its cultural landscape. The salt deposits in the area were formed around 50 million years ago due to shifts in the continental plates. The mining of salt in Hallstatt dates back thousands of years, with the oldest mining discoveries dating back to around 5000 BC. The salt was highly valued, making the region wealthy, and it continues to be mined today.
Hallstatt's location between the lake and the steep hillsides has contributed to its small-town appeal, and it has become a popular tourist destination. However, the town's popularity has also led to issues with overtourism, with local churches employing bouncers to maintain order during services. Despite this, Hallstatt remains a fascinating place to visit, offering insights into the ancient history of the region and the salt trade that made it prosperous.
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The future of bone churches
The popularity of bone churches as tourist attractions can be attributed to their unique and macabre nature. Many people are intrigued by the idea of a church decorated with human bones, and some even find it creepy or freaky. Additionally, bone churches often have a long and interesting history that dates back hundreds of years, which can be appealing to those interested in learning about the past.
In addition to their popularity with tourists, bone churches also hold religious significance for some people. For example, the Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic chapel, and the bone church in Hallstatt is located next to a Catholic parish church. These churches may serve as places of worship and reflection for those who follow the Catholic faith or other religious traditions.
However, it is important to note that bone churches are not limited to Europe. There are likely bone churches in other parts of the world that have yet to be discovered or documented. As interest in bone churches grows, it is possible that more of these unique structures will be identified and preserved, either as tourist attractions or as sites of religious significance.
Overall, the future of bone churches seems to be bright, with continued interest from tourists and religious groups alike. These unique structures serve as a reminder of the past and a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of those who built them.
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Frequently asked questions
In Austria, graves are rented for a short period of 10 years. Once the rental period is up, the bones are exhumed and moved to a bone house or ossuary. This tradition emerged in the early Middle Ages due to the limited space in churchyards.
The bones are carefully exhumed, cleaned, and sorted by type and size. Long bones like femurs and tibias are often stacked to create walls or partitions. Skulls are frequently arranged in alcoves or niches and may be organized by size, shape, or presumed age at death.
Skulls in Austrian bone churches are often painted with symbolic decorations, including wreaths, crosses, flowers, and leaves. They are also labelled with the names, professions, and death dates of their previous owners.
