Rome boasts an impressive array of over 900 churches, chapels, and cathedrals, making it challenging for travelers to decide which ones to visit. While iconic sites like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Pantheon often draw the most attention, many of the smaller, lesser-known Catholic sites are equally remarkable and unforgettable. Among these hidden gems, the Capuchin crypts and the Church of the Capuchin Friars stand out as one of our favorites, and here’s why…
Who are the Capuchins? The Capuchin Friars are a Franciscan order established in the 16th century, named after the distinctive hood or *capuche* on their brown robes. Interestingly, the word “cappuccino” is derived from the espresso-colored robes worn by these monks. The early Capuchins led lives marked by extreme austerity, simplicity, and poverty. Although the strictness of their practices may have lessened over time, the order still upholds many of its original principles.
The Church Above the Capuchin Crypt
The Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins, situated in the heart of town on Via Veneto, is a 17th-century church constructed by Cardinal Antonio Barberini. The church’s first stone was blessed by Cardinal Barberini’s brother, Pope Urban VIII, on the Feast of St. Francis in 1626. While the church itself is remarkable, it is what lies beneath that truly captivates visitors.
The Capuchin Crypts
When the friars arrived at the church in 1631, relocating from the old monastery, they transported 300 cartloads of the remains of deceased friars. The arrangement of the bones in the burial crypt was overseen by Fr. Michael of Bergamo. The soil in the crypt was brought from Jerusalem, following the orders of Pope Urban VIII.
Known as “The Bone Church of Rome,” the Crypts of the Capuchin Friars are famed for their extraordinary ossuary, featuring thousands of human bones artistically arranged to adorn the walls and ceilings. This unique crypt comprises six rooms connected by a corridor and contains the skeletons of approximately 3,700 friars. Some of these friars are mummified and can still be seen wearing their Capuchin habits.
Among the six chambers, the Mass Chapel stands out as the only one devoid of bones. However, it houses a relic: the heart of Maria Felice Peretti, along with the tomb of the Papal Zouaves.The remaining five chambers are given evocative names, such as the Crypt of Skulls, the Crypt of Leg Bones and Thigh Bones, and the Crypt of Pelvises, reflecting their distinctive and eerie decorations.
The Order emphasizes that the crypts have always been and continue to be a solemn place of worship and reflection. While contemplating death and mortality might seem like an unusual vacation activity, the experience is not as morbid as one might expect. The crypts can be viewed as a gentle reminder of the beauty of life and how that beauty can transcend time and mortality.
This site can be appreciated for its artistic and historical significance. While some visitors might find the Capuchin Crypt confronting or even frightening, many find it to be a deeply moving and spiritual experience. Regardless of individual reactions, it undeniably engages the morbid curiosities inherent in the human mind.
