Skull Chapel in Czermna

The Skull Chapel in Czermna, a district of Kudowa-Zdrój, is a Baroque ossuary and a place of remembrance for people who died in wars and epidemics. Thousands of human skulls and bones cover the chapel’s interior, while many more remains lie in the crypt below the floor.

The chapel’s history

The chapel was built between 1776 and 1784 on the initiative of parish priest Wacław Tomaszek. Together with his helpers, he gathered remains recovered from old graves in the surrounding area. They came partly from periods of war that affected the Kłodzko region and partly from epidemics. The interior was completed in the early 19th century.

What the visit is like

Around 3,000 skulls and bones are arranged on the walls and vault; according to information presented by the site’s custodians, around 30,000 remains lie in the underground crypt. Visits take place only with a guide and are brief. Photography is forbidden. Visitors should remain quiet, treat the chapel as a place of worship and follow the staff’s instructions.

Opening information and access

The chapel is at 8a Stanisława Moniuszki Street in Kudowa-Zdrój. The official website lists daily visits from 9:30 to 17:00; its current price list gives PLN 20 for adults, PLN 15 for seniors, PLN 12 for children and teenagers, and free admission for children under six. Hours, prices and rules may change, so check the chapel’s website before travelling. The visit combines well with a walk through Czermna and Kudowa-Zdrój.