Italy Travel Guide, About Italy Tourism & Tourist Information

Chapel of St. Bernardin covered by skulls

This is a church near the center of Milan. From its outside, it seems a normal church but it has a special chapel less known even among local peoples. It would be a quite incredible place, which might upset your point of view of the life. Perhaps it would be more impressive than Milan Cathedral in other meaning.

Foundation of the Church

The foundation of this church dates back to the 8th century. It was built in order to enshrine the spirits of the people died in the hospital. In 1679 it was rebuilt and remains like today. It takes about 10 minutes by walk from the Duomo. Inside there is a very special chapel.

A special chapel

Entering the church, there is a big building in front. At the altar on the right, a saint (relative of Columbus) is enshrined. And its special chapel is found on the right side. Just after the door leading to the chapel, you would feel a cool air... The passage goes on and reaches to a special chapel with spiritual mysterious atmosphere.

Silent Pray

Walls of the chapel are made with more than 2,000 human skulls. The large cross is shaped also by skulls and in the center there is a statue of praying Mary surrounded by death. On the ceiling there is a beautiful picture of heaven, which implies the life and death as if it's appealing to visitors the extremes of living life. The skulls used for the building are those of people who had died during the war in a field hospital. It must be that there are some people not Italian. There are also small skulls of children. It's just questioning the meaning of life to us from the back of the cavity.

Since also fervent believers come to visit here, we don't put the photos of the Chapel. Please be cautious about the manner of admission.