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Churches and sacred sites are often imagined as tranquil havens filled with light and purity, completely secure and possibly a tad monotonous. However, the mission of saving souls was a grave matter for many, particularly in eras predating modernity. Additionally, constructing holy places over pagan remnants can result in some peculiar lingering spirits.
From a sacred spring honoring a pagan goddess of virginity to chapels constructed largely from human skeletal remains, these religious sites aimed to convey their message unmistakably, even if it meant unsettling visitors in the process.
10. Crypt Of The Chiesa Immacolata ConcezioneRome, Italy
Constructed in the 17th century by Cardinal Antonio Barberini, a Capuchin Franciscan and sibling of Pope Urban VIII, this church was designed by the Franciscan monk Michele da Bergamo. While it boasts numerous notable tombs and renowned artworks, its most captivating feature lies in the chapels located beneath the main structure.
Five underground chapels hold the skeletal remains of 4,000 Capuchin friars and impoverished Romans dating back to the 17th century, arranged in an artistic manner. Transporting the bones and mummified bodies required 300 journeys between 1627 and 1631. The soil covering the cemetery floor is believed to originate from the Holy Land, and a poignant memento mori inscription near the exit states, “You are what we have been. You will be what we are.”
The bones are meticulously organized into intricate mosaics, forming columns, arches, and floral patterns. Each crypt is categorized by the type of bone it contains, including the Crypt of Skulls, the Crypt of Pelvises, the Crypt of Leg and Thigh Bones, the Crypt of the Resurrection (featuring a central painting of Jesus raising Lazarus), and the Crypt of the Three Skeletons (a deeply symbolic display reflecting on mortality).
9. Basilica Of Santa Croce In Gerusalemme Rome, Italy
Also referred to as Heleniana or Sessoriana, the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) is situated on what was once a section of Emperor Constantine’s residential complex in the third century. Originally part of the Sessorian Palace, owned by Constantine’s mother, Helena, it is believed that the palace was constructed using soil Helena transported from Jerusalem.
Constantine commissioned the basilica to store a collection of relics his mother retrieved from the Holy Land, particularly those connected to the True Cross. Among the macabre Christian artifacts are three purported fragments of the Cross, a nail, a portion of the elogium (the inscription INRI, meaning “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum”), and two thorns said to be from the Crown of Thorns. These relics are now displayed in the Chapel of Relics, designed by Florestano di Fausto.
Should you be a woman hoping to view these sacred artifacts, patience is essential. Access for women is restricted to just one day each year.
8. Capela Dos OssosEvora, Portugal
Adjacent to the Church of St. Francis in Evora, Portugal, lies the Capela dos Ossos, a small chapel adorned with human bones. Similar to other entries on this list, its interior is entirely lined with skulls and skeletal remains. However, what sets it apart is the sight of two complete corpses—a woman and a young boy—suspended from chains, gazing down at visitors. Legend has it they were cursed individuals who sought refuge in the chapel. A sign at the entrance greets visitors with the chilling message, “Nos ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos” (“We bones that are here, for your bones we wait”).
Dating back to the 16th century, this chapel contains the skeletal remains of approximately 5,000 monks, many of whom were relocated from overcrowded local cemeteries. Churches of that era often adorned their walls with such macabre decorations for several reasons. One was purely practical—cemeteries were frequently overfilled, leaving limited space for the deceased. Another reason was rooted in religious and social motivations. Displaying bones served as a stark reminder to the living to prepare their souls for the inevitability of death.
7. Church Of Santo Stefano RotondoRome, Italy
Located on the outskirts of Rome, away from the bustling tourist routes, the Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo al Monte Celio (Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on the Celian Hill), commonly known as Santo Stefano Rotondo, stands as a unique structure. Consecrated by Pope Simplicius between 468 and 483, it honors Saint Stephen. Built atop an ancient Roman mithraeum, a site dedicated to the worship of Mithras, this church is relatively simple in design compared to others on this list. Its primary distinction lies in being the first Roman church constructed with a circular layout, though it also boasts a remarkable collection of paintings.
Encircling the interior walls are 34 vivid paintings, each illustrating the brutal demise of a Christian martyr. These artworks are unflinchingly graphic, portraying the excruciating tortures endured by the martyrs in explicit and harrowing detail, rendered in a strikingly realistic style. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in the late 16th century, these paintings serve as a stark reminder of the martyrs' sacrifices.
Even the renowned writer Charles Dickens was moved to comment on the horrifying collection:
” . . . Such a spectacle of suffering and carnage no mind could conjure in its darkest dreams, even after consuming an entire raw pig for supper. Elderly men boiled, fried, grilled, mutilated, burned, devoured by beasts, mauled by dogs, buried alive, torn apart by horses, or hacked into pieces with axes: women subjected to the tearing of their breasts with iron tools, their tongues severed, ears twisted off, jaws shattered, bodies stretched on racks, flayed at the stake, or consumed by flames—these are but the milder scenes depicted.”
6. Aghia Moni ConventNafplio, Greece
The Monastery of Aghia Moni, a serene and lesser-known complex situated near Areia, close to Nafplio in Greece, now functions as a Greek Orthodox women’s retreat, overseen by the Bishopric of Argolis.
Aghia Moni is renowned for the sacred spring on its premises, which carries strong pagan associations. While details are often vague, it is widely acknowledged that the monastery was consecrated to Zoodochos Pigi (the spring or source of life). This spring is linked to Kanathos, a mythical spring from Greek lore.
In his work “Description of Greece,” the ancient traveler Pausanias noted, “In Nauplia [in Argolis] . . . lies a spring named Kanathos. Here . . . Hera is said to bathe annually, reclaiming her virginity. This tale is shared as a sacred secret during the Mysteries held in honor of Hera.”
Hera, the queen of the Olympian Gods, was revered as the goddess of the sky, women, and marriage. Pausanias suggests that followers of Hera conducted rituals, known as “Mysteries,” at the spring, likely tied to this legend. While the exact nature of these rituals can be inferred, such practices are not typically endorsed by Christian Orthodoxy, leading to the spring’s gradual obscurity.
5. The Barberini Coats Of Arms, St. Peter’s Cathedral Vatican City
Within St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City stands the Baldachin Altar, accompanied by its intricately sculpted bronze canopy, the Baldachin. Both were crafted by Gianlorenzo Bernini from 1624 to 1633 under the patronage of Pius VIII. A striking feature of the altar is its four plinths (columns), adorned with the Barberini family’s coat of arms—three bees arranged in a triangular pattern on a blue background, set atop a sculpted shield crowned with a woman’s head.
Upon closer inspection, each coat of arms, with two per column totaling eight, exhibits subtle variations. Some interpret the series as symbolizing childbirth (the positioning of the woman’s head and the overall design elements appear suggestive). Additionally, observe the woman’s facial expressions throughout the series; she transitions from joy to evident distress and back again. The shield also appears to swell progressively, and by the end, the woman’s face is replaced by that of a cherub or angel. What is the significance of this imagery in the heart of a church?
A widely circulated tale suggests that the sculpture represents a vow made by Urban VIII to his niece, Giulia Barberini, to construct an altar in her honor if she survived childbirth. Alternatively, some argue that it symbolizes the church’s historical struggles, which were ultimately resolved by the pope, who meticulously incorporated symbols of his authority and lineage throughout the Vatican.
4. The Sheela-Na-Gig Of Kilpeck Herefordshire, England
Kilpeck Church (The Church of St. Mary and St. David) is situated in Herefordshire, England, near the Welsh border. This modest Norman-style church, built over an older foundation, features numerous intricate and often bizarre carvings, many influenced by Celtic artistry. It is particularly renowned for its provocative corbel (a sculpted architectural support), known as the Sheela-na-gig.
Sheela-na-gigs have been discovered on structures across England, Ireland, and France. These carvings portray a crouching woman, often linked to “old women” or hags, flaunting their highly exaggerated genitalia in plain view. Typically depicted in a grotesque or humorous style, the Kilpeck example combines both elements. This ancient sculpture dates back to at least the 12th century and may have originated from an earlier chapel that once occupied the site.
Popular theories suggest Sheela-na-gigs are remnants of pagan traditions, possibly tied to goddess worship. However, when examined alongside other carvings from the same period, this theory loses credibility. They align well with Christian motifs prevalent in the region at the time and likely served as Romanesque-era warnings against sexual transgressions. The earliest known figures date to the 11th or 12th century and are typically found on Roman churches, indicating a Continental origin. Another theory posits they were created as protective charms against evil, supported by their placement above doors or gates, hidden from direct view, where they could function as talismans.
As the symbolic importance of Sheela-na-gigs diminished, they transitioned from churches to structures like castles and gateways. By the end of their use, they even appeared as decorative carvings on baroque-era flintlock pistols.
Male counterparts to Sheela-na-gigs exist, some of which may have been present at Kilpeck Church. Several corbels were reportedly removed by an unnamed Victorian woman offended by their imagery. Regardless, corbels depicting male genitalia are relatively common and similarly serve as warnings against the dangers of lust.
3. Sedlec OssuaryKutna Hora, Czech Republic
When compared to the Sedlec Ossuary, other churches housing human remains pale in comparison. This site preserves the skeletal remains of at least 40,000 individuals.
The Sedlec Ossuary, a small chapel situated in the outskirts of Kutna Hora near Prague, gained its unique character in 1870 when woodcarver Frantisek Rint was tasked with organizing the bones stored there. Over the centuries, the church and its cemetery became overcrowded due to its esteemed reputation (bolstered by soil believed to be from Golgotha, marking it as sacred) and the impact of plague. Rint’s work transformed it into one of the most extraordinary churches in history.
Bones are omnipresent within the chapel. Among the most striking features are the Schwarzenberg family’s Coat of Arms and the renowned chandelier of bones, which incorporates at least one of every bone in the human body.
Amid the extensive array of skulls, ribcages, limbs, and every other type of bone, intricate carvings of angels and cherubs are interspersed. Bone-made candleholders and walls adorned with skulls add to the eerie ambiance. Rint even left his signature in a bone display.
Words alone cannot fully capture its essence. This gallery of photos provides a better understanding of the church’s unique atmosphere.
2. Otranto Cathedral, The Skull CathedralOtranto, Italy
Otranto Cathedral earns its place on this list due to its collection of skulls. Adjacent to the main altar lies a chapel where the remains of 800 Christian martyrs are enshrined. Some of these remains were also relocated to the Church of Santa Caterina in Formello, Naples. The chapel walls are meticulously lined with the martyrs' skulls, displayed behind glass.
After conquering Constantinople, Turkish Sultan Mehmet II aimed to establish a foothold in Italy by targeting the port town of Brindisi. However, he altered his plans and instead attacked Otranto, a decision that had profound consequences.
When the invasion commenced and the siege began, 350 members of Otranto’s garrison deserted, leaving only 50 soldiers to defend against the invaders. The remaining townspeople did their best to resist the siege.
On August 14, 1480, following a two-week siege, the Ottomans breached the defenses and unleashed a wave of destruction, raping and pillaging while capturing women and children for slavery. Approximately 800 male inhabitants were marched to the Hill of the Minerva (later renamed the Hill of the Martyrs) and given an ultimatum: convert to Islam or face execution. The men chose death.
Antonio Primaldi (or Pezzulla) was selected as the town’s spokesman and was the first to be beheaded. According to Saverio de Marco’s Compendiosa istoria degli ottocento martiri otrantini (The Brief History of the 800 Martyrs of Otranto), when the sword struck, his headless body miraculously stood upright and refused to fall. An executioner, witnessing this, converted to Christianity on the spot and was promptly executed. Despite this miraculous event, the beheadings continued.
The sacrifice of Otranto’s townspeople provided Ferdinand I, king of Naples, with the crucial time needed to eventually repel the Ottoman invasion. Without their bravery, all of Italy, including Rome, might have succumbed to Islamic rule. This is why their skulls are preserved and honored today, and why, in May 2013, Pope Francis canonized Antonio Primaldi as a saint, along with the other Otranto martyrs. This event marked the largest canonization of saints in history.
1. Otranto Cathedral, Tree of Life MosaicOtranto, Italy
Consecrated in 1088, Otranto Cathedral in Italy earns its place on this list for two reasons. The first is its floor, entirely covered by the breathtaking Tree of Life Mosaic. Commissioned in 1163 by Archbishop Gionata d’Otranto and supervised by a monk named Pantaleone, the mosaic was crafted by local and Norman artisans, as well as craftsmen from Tuscany. It underwent restoration in 1993.
The entire floor of the church is adorned with an enigmatic mosaic illustrating a tree, reminiscent of a genealogical chart. Viewed from above, the tree extends into every section of the cathedral, creating a stunning visual effect with its fusion of mythological and religious themes.
This captivating artwork is particularly fascinating due to its inclusion of imagery and inscriptions that seem out of place in a Christian setting. Depictions of Greek deities like Diana, Deucalion, and Pyrrha (central figures in the Greek flood myth) intertwine with elements from Frazer’s Golden Bough, King Arthur, and zodiac symbols, among others. These are juxtaposed with Christian motifs such as Adam and Eve, apocalyptic visions, Cain and Abel, and more, yet the mosaic notably lacks overt Christian symbolism. It even incorporates Islamic elements, including Arabic script.
The Tree of Life Mosaic reveals that its creators possessed a level of knowledge far beyond the norm for their era. Regardless of how they acquired this wisdom, the artisans appear to have aimed to encapsulate their understanding of the world in a single, unified masterpiece.
