San Bernardino alle Ossa Milan

Visit the bone church in Milan: ossuary and skull chapel

The Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa is a church in Milan known for its chapel decorated with human bones and skulls.

A chapel in Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa

This Catholic church is located in Milan less than a ten minute walk from the Duomo di Milano, but attracts fewer visitors. The unique thing about this church is the chapel, which contains thousands of human bones and skulls. The origin of this can be traced back to the thirteenth century, when there was not enough space to bury the deceased. A room was then built in which the bones were stored. The church San Bernardino alle Ossa was subsequently added to this space.

History of Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa

After a fire in the eighteenth century, the church was rebuilt and enlarged. As a result the ossuary (the bone chapel) could also be enlarged. By now it had gained popularity and attracted many visitors. The gigantic wall covered with layers of bones and skulls is sure to impress you.

^{The bone church of San Bernardino alle Ossa}

^{The Bone Chapel in Milan}

Other decorations in San Bernardino alle Ossa

A very special fresco can be seen when you lift your head to view the ceiling at the bone chapel of the Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa. The edges along the wall are still covered with skulls peering over the edge, one level up the daylight shines in through the windows, but then… your eye is caught by a special fresco by Ricci. It dates from 1695 and shows a spectacle of souls and angels. The colors in mainly yellow/gold and various shades of gray give a soft impression. In the corners you can also see the Holy Mary and other saints. Other paintings in the church are from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries and are somewhat darker in nature, but no less impressive for that.

Where is the bone church in Milan?