| January 25, 2003 |
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Ossuary in Sedlec
Human  bones have become art at a chapel in Sedlec, a small town approximately 70 kilometers east of Prague in the Czech Republic. The church looks ordinary from the outside, but inside, the roof and walls are decorated with human bones from medieval parishioners. An elegant bone chandelier hangs from the ceiling, a bone chalice dominates one wall, and a huge pyramid of bones looms inside. It all dates back to 1278, when a Cistercian abbot brought back soil from the Holy Land and spread it over the church's cemetery. This made the location a popular burial spot, and by 1318, over 30,000 bodies were buried there. In 1511, officials decided to make room for more burials by removing older bones which later became the medium for a local artist. In 1870, the artist created the macabre decorations at the behest of the Duke of Shwartzenberg. The site's creator says that while the bones are evocative of death, they also lend a peaceful air to the chapel -- most of the parishioners died natural, non-violent deaths. Step inside this virtual version and see for yourself. (in Religion & Spirituality) |
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