Historical Background of Capela dos Ossos in Faro:

1. Location: The Chapel of Bones is situated in the courtyard of the Carmo Church in Faro, a Baroque-style church built in the 18th century by the Carmelite order. The construction of the church began in 1713 and was completed by 1719, though further additions and decorations were made over the years.

2. Creation of the Chapel: The Capela dos Ossos in Faro was built in the 19th century, and like similar chapels in Portugal, its primary purpose was to serve as a memento mori — a reminder of the inevitability of death. It was constructed using the bones and skulls of over 1,000 monks exhumed from the nearby Carmelite cemetery.

3. Symbolism: The use of bones in religious structures, particularly in Portugal, was often intended to inspire reflection on mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The display of human remains in such a stark manner was meant to remind visitors of the transient nature of earthly existence, encouraging spiritual contemplation and the need for repentance.

4. Architectural Details: The walls of the chapel are entirely covered with human skulls and bones, arranged in patterns. The altar is simple, and the chapel is smaller than other bone chapels in Portugal, but it still offers a striking and eerie atmosphere. Above the entrance, there is often an inscription, which is common in these chapels, with messages such as “We bones that are here, await yours,” meant to provoke contemplation on death.

5. Tourist Attraction: Today, the Capela dos Ossos at the Carmo Church in Faro is a popular tourist destination due to its macabre yet fascinating history. Visitors are drawn to its unique atmosphere, and it remains one of the most visited sites in Faro for those interested in history, architecture, and the deeper philosophical reflections it offers on life and death.

Though less famous than Évora's Chapel of Bones, Faro’s Capela dos Ossos holds significant historical and cultural value, representing the rich religious and contemplative traditions of the Algarve region.