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There were times when using bones of the deceased was a rightful way for religious institutions to honor the dead. That's how ossuaries in churches and catacombs came into existence. Later, these caves were handy as there wasn't enough room in cemeteries after plagues.

Piles of human bones forming walls, pillars, towers, altars, or even chandeliers can be found in the interesting photos below. These human skeleton parts belonged to monks, noblemen, victims of diseases, and also virgins! However, in many cases, the only conserved part of a body is the human skull.

Although many people find it difficult to understand why these scary places are labeled as "tourist attractions", visiting them doesn't necessarily mean some kind of morbid fascination. It might be a chilling or startling experience, but a sense of transcendence and life lies beyond the macabre confrontation with destiny that happens when one is seeing these bones.

If you have visited or know some other interesting ossuaries, catacombs, or similar architecture artworks, feel free to add your pictures!

(via: BoredPanda.es)

#1

Sedlec Ossuary, Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

Sedlec Ossuary, Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

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#2

Capela Dos Ossos, Évora, Portugal

Capela Dos Ossos, Évora, Portugal

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#3

Chapel Of Skulls, Czermna, Poland

Chapel Of Skulls, Czermna, Poland

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#4

Monastery Of San Francisco, Lima, Perú

Monastery Of San Francisco, Lima, Perú

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#5

L'ossuaire Municipal, Paris, France

L'ossuaire Municipal, Paris, France

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#6

Church Of Santiago Apóstol, Lampa, Perú

Church Of Santiago Apóstol, Lampa, Perú

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#7

Senhora Do Monte Do Carmo, Faro, Portugal

Senhora Do Monte Do Carmo, Faro, Portugal

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#8

Church Of St. James, Brno, Czech Republic

Church Of St. James, Brno, Czech Republic

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#9

Sta. Maria Della Concezione Dei Cappuccini, Rome, Italy

Sta. Maria Della Concezione Dei Cappuccini, Rome, Italy

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#10

Beinhaus, Hallstatt, Austria

Beinhaus, Hallstatt, Austria

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#11

Cathedral Of Martyrs, Otranto, Italy

Cathedral Of Martyrs, Otranto, Italy

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#12

Cele-kula, Niš, Serbia

Cele-kula, Niš, Serbia

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#13

Basilica Of St. Ursula, Cologne, Germany

Basilica Of St. Ursula, Cologne, Germany

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Camelopard avatar
Camelopard
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work there seasonally as a restorer - not on the bones, but still very special. :)

#14

Sta. María De Wamba, Valladolid, Spain

Sta. María De Wamba, Valladolid, Spain

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BobbyK
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's alot of dead people! Who cleaned all them bones?

#15

Sedlec Ossuary - Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

Sedlec Ossuary - Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

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#16

Beinhaus, Eggenburg, Austria

Beinhaus, Eggenburg, Austria

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Evgeni Iliev
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_StNedelya,_Batak_2012_08.JPG St. Nedelya church, Batak, Bulgaria.

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