Thinking of visiting the Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa during your time in Milan? We found exploring this ossuary absolutely fascinating. It is one of the most unique things to do in Milan and one that is definitely off the beaten path! Read on for more information about San Bernardino alle Ossa as well as all of our tips and tricks to make the most of your visit. The ossuary can be a little tricky to find so follow our tips to make sure you don’t get lost.
What is Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa?
The Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa is an ossuary inside a church dedicated to Saint Stefano of Siena (Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa), featuring human bones delicately and elaborately displayed.
The site is meant to be a space for spiritual reflection and the positioning of the bones is meant to tell the story of the soul’s triump of death.
Religious pilgrims have visited this site for centuries.
History of San Bernardino alle Osse
The current ossuary stands on a parcel of land that has been dedicated to religion since the 4th century A.D. when Milan was a central hub of the Roman Empire.
Initially, a small Christian church dedicated to Santo Stefano and an adjacent cemetery were on this land. Eventually a hospital was also built to care for the sick. The population of Milan continued grow and before long, the cemetery was overflowing with bones of the deceased.
A solution was needed to house the growing number of bones. A small room inside the church of Santo Stefano was dedicated to housing the excess bones.
The number of bones continued to grow and eventually it was clear that a larger space needed to be built to hold the bones. A new, larger church was built in 1269.
In the 1600s, the church was expanded and the ossuary was redesigned. The bones were skillfully arranged to reflect the space’s use as a religious sanctuary, as well as a place to meditate on death and the afterlife.
A large fire devastated the church in 1712, following which a prominent architect of the time, Carlo Giuseppe Merlo, was commissioned to rebuild the church and ossuary.
The new church was completed in just five years, by 1717, and when reopened, was dedicated to Saint Bernardino of Siena.
San Bernardino is more than a local curiosity. It has been a pilgrimage site for centuries and continues to be a space for spiritual reflection, meant to represent the triumph of the soul over death.
Is San Bernardino alle Ossa free to visit?
Yes, the visit to the ossuary is 100% free. You can just walk inside the church and turn right straight into the ossuary.
Are the skulls in Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa real?
Yes they are!
What kind of bones are in San Bernardino alle Ossa?
All of the bones inside the ossuary are human remains.
Who designed San Bernardino alle Ossa?
After the horrendous fire of 1712 which destroyed the original church on this site, Carlo Giuseppe Merlo, a famous architect at the time, was commissioned to rebuild the church. His baroque style made the ossuary more accessible to the public.
How to get to San Bernardino alle Ossa
If you are staying in central Milan, visiting the ossuary will be easy. You can easily take the metro or walk over to visit.
San Bernardino alle Ossa on a map!
Address : Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa, Piazza Sant Stefano, 20122 Milan, Italy
How to find the ossuary once you are inside the church
Actually making your way to the ossuary once you are inside the church can be a little bit tricky.
We were stopped by several people as we were leaving the church asking us if we knew how to find the ossuary.
When we visited, there weren’t any clear signs to find the ossuary, although that may have changed since our visit.
As soon as you step inside the church, turn right immediately and you will find the ossuary.
Where to stay in Milan
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- Max Brown Hotel Missori – modern design hotel perfectly located close to the Duomo.
- Petit Palais Hotel de Charme – this charming hotel is a converted 17th century convent, conveniently located in central Milan. Take advantage of your stay there to have a drink in front of the fireplace in the salon!
- Hotel Vittoria – this hotel is bursting with nostalgic charm! Guests rave about the hotel breakfast, so this could be the hotel for you if you love a great hotel breakfast to start your day.
- Chateau Monfort – this is where we stayed the last time we booked a hotel in Milan. The design is fun and whimsical and the hotel is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World. If you stay here, make sure to leave time during your trip to go for a drink at the beautiful hotel bar. It’s a highlight for sure!
Activities to book in advance in Milan
- Visit the Duomo Milan – make sure you visit the iconic Duomo complex in Milan including the beautiful rooftop with one of the best views in the city!
- See Leonardo’s Da Vinci’s Last Supper – visit one of the most famous paintings in the world tucked away in a tiny little church in Milan.
- Visit La Scala – schedule a visit to one of the World’s most spectacular opera houses.
- Milan Food Tour – no trip is complete without adding a food tour to your itinerary.
- Day trip to Lake Como and Lugano – explore two of the most stunning places closed to Milan with ease by joining this small group organized tour.
Read more about Milan
- Discover the best cocktails in Milan
- Plan some day trips from Milan
- Taste the best coffee in Milan
San Bernardino alle Ossa
Will you visit this interesting religious site during your trip to Milan?
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