Evora's Chapel of Bones by kwind

Evora's Chapel of Bones

Well, I think I'll end my Portugal/Spain adventure with this image from the town of Evora and its Bone Chapel. It's a small but fascinating space.

Here's a little history on the place:

By the 16th century, there were as many as 43 cemeteries in and around Évora that were taking up valuable land. Not wanting to condemn the souls of the people buried there, the monks decided to build the Chapel and relocate the bones.

However, rather than interring the bones behind closed doors, the monks, who were concerned about society’s values at the time, thought it best to put them on display. They thought this would provide Évora, a town noted for its wealth in the early 1600s, with a helpful place to meditate on the transience of material things in the undeniable presence of death. This is made clear by the thought-provoking message above the chapel door: “Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos,” or: “We bones, are here, waiting for yours.”
Interesting
July 21st, 2018  
Oh my! How amazing. Yes, there are no armored trucks full of money at the cemeteries. Well I for one don’t want your trip photos to stop, they’ve been wonderful and I’ve learned so much about those countries from you! Thank you for being such a great photographic tour guide!
July 21st, 2018  
Very interesting to read, a little macabre to see but great capture.
As Lou Ann says it was wonderful to make this trip with you!
July 21st, 2018  
Wow, fascinating.
July 21st, 2018  
Fascinating shot and history Fav
July 21st, 2018  
fascinating indeed
July 21st, 2018  
oooh...
July 21st, 2018  
Great picture. There's a bone chapel in Rome, too, not far from the glamorous Via Veneto of the Dolce Vita: sadly, they do not allow taking photos there.
July 21st, 2018  
Very interesting read and a great capture in spite being rather macabre I remember visiting a "bone house " when in Austria some years ago !
July 21st, 2018  
very fascinating
July 21st, 2018  
A magnificent capture and a great black and white image. Thanks for the interesting info too. Fav
July 21st, 2018  
Super shot and what a history
July 21st, 2018  
Great capture but rather creepy
July 21st, 2018  
Great shot and works so well in B&W. Fav
July 21st, 2018  
Wow, that's incredible.
July 21st, 2018  
Lovely capture and a fascinating backstory
July 21st, 2018  
So interesting
July 21st, 2018  
Great capture
July 21st, 2018  
Beautiful capture but pretty spooky too.
July 21st, 2018  
Amazing - I totally thought this was one of @graemestevens shots when I first saw it.
July 21st, 2018  
What fascinating background to this picture. Like that saying over the door. Really nice shot from the Bone Chapel. Perfect for b&w. That's some trip you had.
July 22nd, 2018  
Great B/W capture and interesting history. I have enjoyed seeing your wonderful holiday photos from Portugal and Spain.Fav
July 22nd, 2018  
How amazing. So glad you shared the story. Hope your homecoming is uneventful. You sure deserved the vacation
July 22nd, 2018  
I've read about other countries that have done this too .... bones are sacrosanct as they are really everywhere - human ones, that is!
July 22nd, 2018  
This place sounds a little creepy but I have loved your travel photos too! I now want to go to Portugal especially! Thanks for sharing!
July 22nd, 2018  
Very interesting, perfect for b&w treatment
July 22nd, 2018  
A really interesting shot and story but it does look rather macabre.
July 22nd, 2018  
Thanks for the info and intrguing pic!
July 22nd, 2018  
Interesting place and great shot!
July 22nd, 2018  
Amazing shot! Fav
July 22nd, 2018  
everyday is Halloween there!
July 22nd, 2018  
Great shot and story.
July 22nd, 2018  
Goodness, a sobering message but a really interesting place!
July 23rd, 2018  
wow, what a message.
July 23rd, 2018  
Quite incredible xx
July 23rd, 2018  
This is awesome!
July 24th, 2018  
OMG this is amazing. But creepy!!
July 24th, 2018  
what a fascinating insight into this image
July 24th, 2018  
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