Hallstatt Charnel House, Salzkammergut Travel Guide

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Discover Hallstatt's unique burial traditions at the Charnel House, home to a remarkable collection of artistically painted skulls in a serene alpine setting.

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Hallstatt Charnel House

The Hallstatt Charnel House, or Bone House, is located within St. Michael's Chapel next to the Catholic Church and contains a collection of over 600 artistically painted skulls. Limited burial space led to the tradition of exhuming remains, cleaning the skulls, and painting them with symbolic decorations to preserve the memory of the deceased.

A brief summary to Hallstatt Charnel House

Friedhof 164, Hallstatt, 4830, AT

Monday 10 am-6 pm
Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-6 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Hallstatt Charnel House.

The ascent to the Charnel House involves numerous steps or the steeper Kirchenweg (Way to the Church).
Purchase tickets just outside the charnel house; cash is preferred.
Photography is prohibited inside the Charnel House to honor the site.
Visit during off-peak hours for a quieter experience.

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Getting There

Walking

The Hallstatt Charnel House is located in the center of Hallstatt, adjacent to the Catholic Church. From the Hallstatt Lahn bus stop or the Hallstatt Markt ferry station, walk towards the Catholic Church, which is situated against the Salzberg mountain. Follow the signs to the church; from there, the ossuary is located behind the church and cemetery. Note that the ascent involves steps.
Public Transport

If arriving by train, take the ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt Markt. The ferry costs €4 for adults. From the ferry station in Hallstatt Markt, walk towards the Catholic Church, which is situated against the Salzberg mountain. Follow the signs to the church; the ossuary is located behind the church and cemetery. If arriving by bus, take bus to Hallstatt Lahn. From the Hallstatt Lahn bus stop, walk towards the Catholic Church, which is situated against the Salzberg mountain. Follow the signs to the church; the ossuary is located behind the church and cemetery.
Parking

If arriving by car, park in one of the designated parking lots (P1-P4) outside the center of Hallstatt. Parking costs range from €5 for 1 hour to €18 for a day ticket. From the parking lots, walk to the center of Hallstatt and follow the signs to the Catholic Church. The ossuary is located behind the church and cemetery. Note that the walk from the parking lots to the center can take 15-40 minutes.

Discover more about Hallstatt Charnel House

The Hallstatt Charnel House, known locally as Beinhaus, offers a unique perspective on the region's burial traditions. The chapel dates back to the 12th century and is located next to the Catholic parish church. Due to limited burial space in the small, meticulously maintained cemetery, the village developed a custom of exhuming skeletons approximately 10 to 15 years after burial. The skulls and long bones were then cleaned, bleached in the sun, and transferred to the charnel house.In the 1720s, families began a tradition of painting the skulls of their deceased relatives with symbolic decorations, names, dates of birth and death, and family connections. Roses symbolized love, laurels represented valor, and ivy signified life. The styles and techniques evolved over time, with skulls from the 1700s featuring darker, garland patterns, while those from the 1800s showcase brighter, more floral designs. Today, the charnel house contains over 1,200 skulls, with approximately 610 of them painted.The last painted skull was added in 1995 and belonged to a woman who died in 1983; her skull is recognizable by its gold tooth. The charnel house is open to visitors daily, except on religious holidays such as All Saints and All Souls' Day (November 1st and 2nd). The setting contributes to the atmosphere of reverence and contemplation, reminding visitors of the cycle of life and death and the importance of honoring those who came before us.

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