Holiday Region
Dachstein Salzkammergut
Bone House (ossuary) in the St. Michaels Chapel
- All weather
- Suitable for groups
- Suitable for kids (all ages)
The ossuary is located directly in the historic town center, at one of the most beautiful vantage points in Hallstatt. The traditional building in the Michaeli Chapel, which dates back to the 12th century, is one of the most interesting sights in the World Heritage town of Hallstatt.
Steeped in history
The ossuary in the World Heritage Site of Hallstatt has existed since the 12th century AD. There are 1200 skulls in this ossuary. Of these, 610 are painted, arranged by family and marked with the date of death. The tradition of dating and painting began in 1720 AD.
As the cemetery is so small , there is no possibility of expansion and cremations were not permitted in the past, there was always too little space. As a result, the graves were usually opened again between 10 and 15 years after a burial and the skulls, as well as the long bones, which took up a lot of space, were removed. The skulls were cleaned and exposed to sunlight and moonlight for several weeks until they were bleached to a mild ivory color. As the graves were decorated with flowers, the skulls were then symbolically painted with wreaths of flowers.
The ossuary tradition lives on
The youngest skull came into the ossuary in 1995 and lies to the right of the cross.
This woman died in 1983 and it was her personal wish to be placed in the ossuary. Anyone who wishes to have their skull kept in the ossuary must specify this in their will. After 10 years in the ossuary, the skull is removed, chemically cleaned and painted.
Experience a 360° panoramic tour over Lake Hallstatt...
Regular opening hours
01.11. - 30.04. Wednesday - Sunday (Mon, Tue rest day): 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
01.05. - 30.09. Monday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
01.10. - 31.10. Monday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
In winter there may be changes due to weather conditions.
- Monday
- Tuesday
511 m
Accessibility / arrivalby car
from Salzburg:
Exit Thalgau via federal road B158 towards Bad Ischl, in Bad Ischl drive onto Salzkammergut Street B145 towards Bad Goisern, in Bad Goisern turn right onto B166, at the Gosaumühle junction turn left towards Hallstatt
from Linz:
Exit Regau via federal road Salzkammergut street B145 towards Gmunden and Bad Ischl to Bad Goisern, in Bad Goisern turn right onto B166, at the Gosaumühle junction turn left towards Hallstatt
from Vienna/Graz:
Exit Liezen via federal road B320, in Trautenfels drive onto Salzkammergut street B145 towards Bad Aussee, turn onto Koppen street via Obertraun to Hallstatt
from Villach:
Tauern motorway to exit "Eben im Pongau", via B166 Pass Gschütt federal road through Gosau, at the Gosaumühle junction turn towards Hallstatt
by train
Attnang-Puchheim – Stainach-Irdning lines
arriving at "train station Hallstatt", take the ferry to Hallstatt
by bus
bus 542/543
arriving at bus stop “Hallstatt Lahn”
Detailed information on the respective train and bus times can be found at https://www.oebb.at/en/ (train) and https://www.postbus.at/en(bus).
- Parking space: 450
- Bus parking space: 15
P1/P2/P3/P4 Short term tariffs 15 minutes free 1 hour: 4.00 Euro 2 hours: 7.00 Euro 3-4 hours: 9.00 Euro 5-6 hours: 9.50 Euro 7-12 hours 10.00 Euro From the 13th hour: daily tariff 15.00 Euro Lost ticket: € 30 Bus fee: € 80.00 per day
Adults: € 2,00
Children: € 0.50 up to 15 years
School classes (elementary school, secondary school, grammar school): Per pupil € 0,50
- All weather
- Suitable for groups
- Suitable for schools
- Suitable for kids (all ages)
- Suitable for teenagers
- Suitable for seniors
- Suitable for single travelers
- Suitable for friends
- Suitable for couples
- Suitable for children
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
Please get in touch for more information.
Hear more about this topic! Also in English available!
Contact
4830 Hallstatt
Phone +43 6134 8279
E-Mail pfarre.hallstatt@dioezese-linz.at
Web www.kath.hallstatt.net
Web www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at
https://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at
You can also visit us on
Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Instagram Visit us on TikTok Visit us on Pinterest Visit our videochannel on YouTube WikipediaContact person
Mrs Helga Sejka
Katholisches Pfarramt Hallstatt
Kirchenweg 40
4830 Hallstatt
Phone +43 6134 8279
E-Mail pfarre.hallstatt@dioezese-linz.at
Web www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at
