Unique historical cemetery of Hallstatt, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hallstatt is a charming little town in Austrian Salzkammargut region with breathtaking history and landscape around.
In 1996, the town was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. On a cliff above the rooftops of the town is perched a
Parish Church Maria Himmelfahrt.
Surrounded by small cemetery with interesting history.
Burying in Hallstatt:
The massive tower is the only surviving part of an earlier church built in the year 1320. On the north side of the church stands the ossuary with small mortuary from 16th century.
Built area of Hallstatt is very limited between a lake and steep slopes of mountain, so there was only a small place for cemetery during many centuries.
That is the reason of 1500 skulls in the cemetery ossuary, piled on each other above the other bones. 20 to 30 years after each burrial, bones used to be exhumed,
then bleached and embellished by person's name, dates of birth and death, painted with dark wreaths of oak leaves, ivy, or flowers.
The ossuary is unique in the world, since the bones of entire generations are kept complete here.
The cemetery:
The last body was exhumed from cemetery in 2003, based on wish of deceased lady.
Most of approx. 100 tomb"stones" are wooden from 20th century, several are iron and just a few oldest ones made from stone.
Almost all of them are markedly decorated with carved ornaments and christian motives. Graves are compact, tight, very close to each other, in order to save place.
Cemetery has its own, strong atmosphere and great view over Hallstatt town, lake and mountains.
Visit instructions:
Please, see general visit instructions below. Thank you for your visit of this unique place!