A trip to Bavaria, Germany wouldn't be complete without visiting a nearby Bavarian Church that has saintly jewel-encrusted skeletons on display. The Furstenfeld Abbey has dressed two Catholic saints in gold and jewels as they lie encased in a lavish glass case.
The remains of Saint Hyacinth of Caesarea and Saint Clemens now served as a tourist destination where travelers can see the skeletons well preserved and heavily ornate with golden crowns, gloves, bracelets, boots and attire. The two remains are considered as sacred full-body Christian relics and have survived for hundreds of years.
St. Hyacinth was imprisoned for being a Christian and for not worship Roman gods. In his cell, he was served with meat banned by Christian faith. However, the boy did not eat it and thus, starved himself to death at the age of 12 years old.
St. Clemens was beheaded for being a Christian. The abbey for them was built during the 1200s by Louis II, Duke of Bavaria, ordered by Pope Alexander IV as penance for killing his wife.
The whole church is decorated with elaborate carvings, paintings, and tapestries. It serves daily masses and is open for visitors. A tour of the abbey and a gaze of the jewel-encrusted skeletons cost only £2.50.
What's more the whole abbey seems to have a story of its own and is considered as the residence of King Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. After 438 years after the tragedy of Catherine, the abbey has been listed in the market for takers. It has 12 bedrooms and more decorative features inside the rooms.
To get to the abbey, and see the decorative skeletons yourself, head to Munich and find a nearby town about 25km northwest called Furstenfeldbruck and ask for a location of the Furstenfeld Abbey. One can expect seminars, conferences, and theater performances at the church upon visit as well.
