The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) in Évora is a 17th-century chapel whose walls and pillars are lined with several thousand human bones and skulls, built by Franciscan friars as a reminder that life is short. It is part of the Church of São Francisco, and one €7 ticket covers the chapel, the church’s museum, a royal gallery with a terrace and a large collection of nativity scenes (as of October 2026). It opens daily from 9:00, closing at 18:30 in summer time and 17:00 in winter time. Allow 1–1½ hours.
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Tickets and tours for Capela dos Ossos
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Why the Chapel of Bones matters
Franciscan friars arrived in Évora around 1224, coming from Galicia. When the kings set up a palace in part of the convent, the church was rebuilt on a much larger scale under Afonso V and João II and completed under Manuel I. In the 16th century it was known as the “Golden Convent”.
The Chapel of Bones was built in the 17th century, following a model popular at the time. Its purpose, says the church, was to make visitors reflect through images on how fleeting human life is, and so to live as committed Christians. The bones and skulls came from burial grounds connected with the convent. The vaulted ceiling was painted in 1810 with symbols and biblical scenes, including the instruments of Christ’s Passion.
After the religious orders were dissolved in 1834, most of the convent fell into ruin, but the church and the chapel survived. That was thanks in part to the lay Third Order of Saint Francis and to strong local devotion. In 1892–95 much of the ruined convent was sold to the Évora benefactor Francisco Barahona, who helped restore the church and the chapel. A major rehabilitation in 2014–2015 restored the church and opened new museum spaces. The church is in the Historic Centre of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
What you’ll see
- The Chapel of Bones: a three-aisled room where the walls and eight pillars are covered with neatly arranged bones and skulls set in mortar, under the white painted vaults. Over the entrance, a famous inscription greets you: “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos”, meaning “We bones that are here are waiting for yours”. On the way out, a tile panel by the architect Álvaro Siza Vieira answers death with the miracle of life.
- The Church of São Francisco: rebuilt from the late 15th century on the site of the earlier Gothic church, with the Third Order’s richly decorated chapel.
- The museum (Núcleo Museológico): in the restored friars’ dormitory above the Chapter House and the chapel. It shows paintings, 16th–18th-century sculpture, sacred silver by local goldsmiths, vestments and devotional objects from Évora’s Franciscan convents.
- The Royal Tribune and Galilee terrace: the royal gallery overlooking the church, and a terrace.
- The Canha da Silva nativity collection and the “Presépio Évora”: a large collection of nativity scenes.
How to visit
From the Igreja de São Francisco official website, as of October 2026:
- Hours: daily, 9:00–18:30 during summer time and 9:00–17:00 during winter time. In 2026, the clocks go back on 25 October, so expect the earlier closing from then.
- Closed: 1 January, Easter Sunday, the afternoon of 24 December and 25 December.
- Tickets (single ticket for all museum areas): adults €7; young people up to 25 €5; over-65s €5; family (2 adults + young people) €15.
- Discounts: the church is a private religious body and says it does not apply the discounts and rules of State museums. Cards that give reductions elsewhere won’t apply here.
- Masses: Monday to Saturday at 11:30, Sundays at 9:00 and 12:00. The church is a place of worship, so be discreet if you visit around those times.
- Contact: Praça 1º de Maio, Évora; tel. +351 266 704 521; info@igrejadesaofrancisco.pt.
How long to allow and when to go
The chapel itself takes 15–20 minutes. With the church, museum, royal gallery and nativity collection, plan 1–1½ hours. The chapel is small, so it feels most atmospheric when it isn’t crowded. Come early, soon after 9:00, or in the last hour before closing. It is a sober place: speak quietly and take photos respectfully.
Accessibility
The church’s website does not publish accessibility information. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact the church in advance (+351 266 704 521) to ask which areas you can reach, especially the upper-floor museum and the royal gallery.
Getting there
The Church of São Francisco is on Praça 1º de Maio, on the south side of the historic centre, a short walk from Praça do Giraldo. From the Roman Temple it is about 450 metres in a straight line, and from the cathedral about 400 metres. From Lisbon, Évora is about an hour and a half by train.
Combine it with
Pair the chapel with the Roman Temple and the cathedral and its roof terrace for a half-day loop of Évora’s essentials. Lunch around Praça do Giraldo fits neatly in between. Our Évora guide has more on the city, and our Portugal guide shows how to fit Évora into a longer trip.
Chapel of Bones FAQ
How much does the Chapel of Bones cost?
€7 for adults and €5 for young people up to 25 and over-65s, as of October 2026. One ticket covers the chapel and all the church’s museum areas. A family ticket is €15.
What are the Chapel of Bones opening hours?
Daily from 9:00, closing at 18:30 in summer time and 17:00 in winter time (from 25 October 2026). It is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, the afternoon of 24 December and 25 December.
Why was the Chapel of Bones built?
Franciscan friars built it in the 17th century to prompt reflection on the brevity of life, using bones from burial grounds connected with the convent.
What does the inscription at the entrance mean?
“Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” means “We bones that are here are waiting for yours”, a blunt reminder of mortality.
Is the Chapel of Bones suitable for children?
It depends on the child. The chapel displays real human remains, and published descriptions mention two complete skeletons as well as the bones on the walls. Some younger children find it unsettling, so prepare them first.
How long do I need?
About 15–20 minutes for the chapel and 1–1½ hours if you also see the church, museum and nativity collection.