Hi all :)
This time i had to go to the bottom of the trunk to rescue some records that were forgotten from the time i visited a very peculiar place in the city of Évora.
I have already shared here several records made during that visit, but for some reason these were forgotten.
It was with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension that i went to this place, which in a way had already been on the list of places to visit for many years when i had the opportunity to travel to the historic city of Évora to explore its architectural treasures and dive in through its rich cultural heritage.
Among the countless wonders that the city offers, this one has always particularly caught my attention, the "Capela dos Ossos" chapel of bones, located inside the Church of São Francisco, a unique and intriguing place, which gathers in its interior the remains of thousands of people.
Upon entering, we are immediately enveloped by a mysterious and somber atmosphere, the walls, pillars and even the ceiling are covered with human bones, creating an absolutely macabre and, at the same time, "fascinating" scenario.
It is said that the bones of approximately five thousand individuals were used to decorate the interior of the chapel, which was built in the 16th century with the intention of transmitting a message about the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
It seems to me a rather bold way of conveying a message!
The chapel's architecture is simple and austere, with a single nave and brick vaults. The carefully arranged bone accents stand out against the white walls, creating a striking contrast. As i walked through the space, i felt surrounded by a profound stillness, as if the bones themselves held silent secrets from the past, and i hadn't even noticed the entire bone structure that is there inside a glass chamber.
I was not the only visitor attracted by this haunting sight, as tourists from all over the world crowded the chapel entrance, waiting anxiously to enter and witness the macabre beauty of the place. It seems to me that the main reason that attracts so many people to this dark scenario will be the human fascination with death and the unknown, in the search for a deeper understanding of our own mortality and the transience of life.
If in a way, for a moment i felt a little uncomfortable, can you imagine how the children would feel when faced with that scenario?
I can't imagine it but i suspect it, because i witnessed an experience involving a group of children, while their parents tried to explain the historical significance of the chapel and allay their visible fears, some of the children could not hide their uneasiness.
As curious little eyes gazed at the piled-up skulls and bones adorning the walls, uneasiness quickly turned to awe!
Parents, understandably concerned, welcomed the children explaining that the bones present there belonged to people who lived a long time ago, that there was no reason to fear. They tried to convey to them the message that the place carries: death is inevitable, but we must value life and enjoy every moment we have.
Life and death go hand in hand, it should be something easy to understand, but it will never be easy to explain or try to normalize this normality to a child.
It was a touching moment to witness the care and concern of parents to protect their children from the somewhat terrifying experience that Capela dos Ossos can provide.
It's hard to leave that space without a mix of "fascination" and reflection. The visit made me reflect on the transience of life, the fragility of human existence and the importance of valuing every precious moment we have.
That´s all for today :)
Photo by
Camera - Canon EOS 600D
Lens - EFS 18-55mm
Location - Portugal
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Always remember:
Value your time, because every fraction counts, and the price of anything is the amount of life you trade for it.
May the memories of the travels be eternalized in the photographs, and may the photographs transport us back to the travels ;)