#Worth1000Words - No Bones About It - Karin Avila

Travel Writers Radio

Our #Worth1000Words segment this week comes from our Spain-based correspondent Karin Avila who is currently visiting Austria. She calls her image – No Bones About It and we reckon its worth 1000 words, as she explains: Hallstatt, Austria is known for its salt mines and postcard-perfect views. It’s also known for its Charnel House, or Bone House. Within this cave-like chapel from the 12th century lies 1200 skulls, 610 of which are adorned with paintings representing glory, victory, life, and love. This unusual space was created when the dead started outnumbering the available burial plots. After 10-20 years of grave rest, skeletons were removed and bleached by the sun for several weeks before being added to the chapel. Around 300 years ago, undertakers and artists began painting flowers on the skulls as a sign of love. It’s a somewhat morbid, but beautiful tradition here in the heart of Europe. Photo: Karin Avila