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Inside Europe’s dark tourism: Autopsy museum, gates to hell, church filled with bones and more

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roeerie - Milan's San Bernardino alle Ossa church is decorated by skulls and bones.
Credit: Ronan O’Connell

Milan's Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa is one of Europe's hot spots for dark tourism, a travel trend that is set to grow over the next decade.

PHOTO: RONAN O’CONNELL

Ronan O’Connell

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Skulls, bone saws and hell gates embellish some of Europe’s eeriest attractions from downtown Paris to the emerald fields of Ireland.

The dark tourism industry – where travellers visit locations historically associated with death or violence, such as concentration camps – has taken off in recent decades. It is predicted to increase in global market value by 28 per cent – from US$32 billion (S$41.5 billion) to US$41 billion – between 2024 and 2034, based on data from market research firm Future Market Insights.

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