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Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church)
A church decorated with the bones of 40,000 people. Chandeliers of skulls. Coats of arms made from femurs. A plague and war provided the materials. Some say the dead resent being used as decoration.
1278 - Present
Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
5000+ witnesses
The Sedlec Ossuary is decorated entirely with human bones.
The History
According to historical records:
The origin:
- 1278 abbot brought Holy Land soil
- Cemetery became popular
- Black Death filled it
- 40,000+ bodies
- Had to do something
The Arrangement
In 1870:
- František Rint hired
- Arranged all bones
- Artistically displayed
- Created masterpiece
- Signed in bones
The Decorations
Made of human bone:
- Chandelier with every bone
- Coat of arms
- Chalices and monstrances
- Garlands of skulls
- Bone pyramids
The Atmosphere
Visitors feel:
- Overwhelming presence
- Being watched
- Reverence required
- Something active
- Not entirely at rest
The Hauntings
Reported activity:
- Movement glimpsed
- Cold spots
- Feeling of disapproval
- Strange sounds
- Photos with anomalies
The Dead
These were real people:
- Plague victims
- War casualties
- Regular citizens
- Their bones on display
- Forever