France · Marville · 6 pictures
Saint-Hilaire Ossuary
Cimetière Saint-Hilaire
About this place
The cemetery surrounds the chapel of Saint-Hilaire, which was the mother church of Marville until the 13th century. The chapel is Romanesque in character and dates from the 12th to 14th centuries. With its wall, chapel, ossuary and caretaker's house, the cemetery was listed as a monument historique on 13 August 1931. Because of its state of preservation and the variety of its graves, it is considered one of very few cemeteries protected in this way.
The ossuary is assigned to the late 15th century. It houses skulls from a common grave that was also fed by Marville's maladrerie, the medieval house for people with leprosy. Some of the skulls lie in small boxes known as "horloges de la vie", clocks of life. They carry an inscription addressed to the living: we were like you, pray for us.
Anyone who visits should treat the place as what it is, a resting place. The municipality of Marville can give further information on access.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Saint-Hilaire Ossuary?
It is in the Saint-Hilaire cemetery near Marville, in the Meuse department of Lorraine.
What are the "horloges de la vie"?
They are small boxes shaped like clock cases, in which the skulls of the dead were kept. An inscription reminds the living to pray for the dead.
Why is the Saint-Hilaire cemetery a protected monument?
It was listed as a monument historique on 13 August 1931, together with its wall, chapel, ossuary and caretaker's house. It is considered special for its preservation and the variety of its graves.