San Bernardino alle Ossa
Cemetery and Church in Milan
San Bernardino alle Ossa is an unusual and eerie church in Milan renowned for its peculiar decoration, comprising a significant number of human skulls and bones.
The church’s history traces back to the year 1145 when a hospital and cemetery were established in close proximity to the Basilica of Santo Stefano Maggiore. The cemetery swiftly became crowded, necessitating the construction of a hall to gather the remains of the deceased. In 1269, the Basilica San Bernardino alle Ossa was erected adjacent to this hall.
The ossuary gained a reputation as a macabre yet intriguing place, featuring interior walls adorned with human bones and skulls. It bears a resemblance to the church in Rome known as Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, known for its similar bone décor.
The San Bernardino alle Ossa appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Milan!
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Visiting San Bernardino alle Ossa
Monday to Friday: from 7:30 am until 12:00 pm (noon) and from 1 pm until 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: from 7:30 am until 12:00 pm (noon).
Free
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