---
title: Bone House (ossuary) in the St. Michaels Chapel
url: "https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400341/bone-house-ossuary-in-the-st-michaels-chapel.html"
description: Visit the historic Bone House (ossuary) in the Michael Chapel in the historical city center of the World Heritage town Hallstatt.
date: 2012-06-19
modified: 2026-03-06
---
# Bone House (ossuary) in the St. Michaels Chapel
Bone House (ossuary) in the St. Michaels Chapel
=================================================
Hallstatt, Oberösterreich, Österreich
© Open copyright © Edwin Husic Close copyright
[  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/203629/DFFBACCB8E8DE5C5F995E5D27B0C369014E6121AD3D1526EBAEDF72AB19A0E9E/beinhaus-in-der-michaelskapelle.jpg)
© Open copyright © Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut Close copyright
[  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/203630/9054C13814930F5CE732E35527E99BC42F55340EE3E9A6C6EF9A1AEB917C414C/beinhaus-in-der-michaelskapelle.jpg)
1.
2.
Kirchenweg 40
4830 Hallstatt
[ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Kirchenweg%2040%2C%204830%20Hallstatt "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Kirchenweg%2040%2C%204830%20Hallstatt "Link will open in a new window")
**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**](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/hallstatt.html?utm_campaign=tourdata&utm_medium=text&utm_source=tourdata) 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...**](https://dachstein-panorama.at/?startscene=1&startactions=lookat(101.55,14.97,79.51,0,0);)
[ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt)
----------------------------------
**Bone House (ossuary) in the St. Michaels Chapel**
Kirchenweg 40
4830 Hallstatt
Phone +43 6134 8279Show no.
E-Mail [pfarre.hallstatt@dioezese-linz.at](#mailto)
Web [www.kath.hallstatt.net](http://www.kath.hallstatt.net "New window")
Web [www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at](https://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at "New window")
http://www.kath.hallstatt.net
https://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at
---
**You can also visit us on**
[ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/dachsteinsalzkammergut) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/visitdachsteinsalzkammergut) [ TikTok ](https://www.tiktok.com/@visitdachstein) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.at/dachsteinsalzkammergut) [ YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/user/dachsteinskg) [ Wikipedia ](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallstatt)---
**Contact person**
Mrs Helga Sejka
Katholisches Pfarramt Hallstatt
Kirchenweg 40
4830 Hallstatt
Phone +43 6134 8279Show no.
E-Mail [pfarre.hallstatt@dioezese-linz.at](#mailto)
Web [www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at](https://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at "New window")
---
**We speak the following languages**
German
English
French
Italian
[ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten)
------------------------------------------------
May to September 2026:
daily from 10:00 to 18:00
- opened daily
**Closing day**- Monday
- Tuesday
[ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise)
----------------------------------
**Elevation**511 m
**Accessibility / arrival****by 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 (train) and (bus).
**Parking**- Parking space: 450
- Bus parking space: 15
**Parking fees**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
[ Prices ](#ttgCollapsePreise)
--------------------------------
**General price information****Adults:** € 2,00
**Children:** € 0.50 6 years to 15 years
**School classes** (elementary school, secondary school, grammar school): Per pupil € 0.50
**Payment methods** Cash payment
[ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung)
--------------------------------------
- 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
**Season**- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
[ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit)
-------------------------------------------------
Please get in touch for more information.
[ Inspiration ](#ttgCollapseMultimedia)
-----------------------------------------
**audio:** [ In the charnel house ](http://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin/user_upload/dachstein-salzkammergut/Audio-Guides-Hallstatt-E/50-Higher_education_technology.mp3 "Link will open in a new window")Hear more about this topic! Also in English available!
[ Discover more ](#ttgCollapseMeineEmpfehlungen)
--------------------------------------------------
[ © Open copyright © Copyright: Salzkammergut Tourismus/ Viorel Munteanu Close copyright
Catholic church
](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/401012/catholic-church.html)
[To the website](http://www.kath.hallstatt.net "New window")
powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")
[  ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")