Chapel of Bones of Faro — Attraction in Faro

Historical Background of Capela dos Ossos in Faro:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

I’ve never meet a more surly employee in my life. I have been using my credit card everywhere in Portugal, but I figured I needed cash for the chapel and got money from the ATM. My wife and I owed $4, I handed the guy a $20. He asked loudly, “Is this the smallest you have?” I said, “Yes, I just got it from the ATM.” He slammed it on his desk and shouted, “Jesus Christ!”

EXCUSE ME??!! This is a holy place and you break the third commandment?? My wife stepped back, shocked! He shoved the change at her and though she was visibly shaken, she replied, “I hope you have a better day.” He never apologized, gave us any information, or anything. We entered the church in disbelief.

The chapel, is in terrible disrepair. So many of the skulls were broken. Maybe our trouble getting in to see it clouded our experience. Considering how old it is, it is still impressive, but we were terribly disappointed in the entire visit. That guy has to give change. Not a difficult job, but he can’t even do that without incident. He should not be there!! He ruined it for my wife, and the way he acted, it wasn’t the first time!! ...

Located behind the Carmo Church, is a small and somewhat eerie site built using the bones and skulls of over 1,000 monks. While the idea and history behind it are certainly intriguing, the actual experience felt a bit underwhelming.

The chapel itself is quite small and only takes a few minutes to visit. The display of bones is interesting from a historical and cultural perspective, but it’s not as striking or elaborate as similar chapels in other parts of Portugal, like the one in Évora. There’s very little information provided inside, which makes it harder to fully appreciate the context unless you do some reading beforehand.

The entrance fee is modest, but the visit feels more like a quick detour than a main attraction. If you’re already near the Carmo Church or passing through the area, it might be worth a brief stop, but it’s not a must-see on its own.

Overall, the Chapel of Bones in Faro offers a glimpse into a unique piece of religious and cultural history, but don’t expect a particularly memorable or...