Capuchin Crypt

Probably one of the strangest yet most intriguing sites to see in Roma is the Cappccini Crypt. The Cappuccini Crypt is a display of the skeletal remains of 3,700 Capuchin friars. For only 6 Euros, you are able to see the Ossuary Crypt in addition to Cappuccini Museum. In the museum, there are paintings of Cappuccini saints such as San Francesco del Caravaggio, San Francesco of Assissi, and San Lorenzo of Brindisi. Following these rooms are paintings of ancient relics of the friars including books from Their library that dates back to the 15 ^th  century. Other relics include crucifixes, wooden altar cards, sculptures, and chalices.

The end of the museum marks the beginning of the crypt. The theory of the creation of the crypt Is that in the late 1700's a large amount of Cappuccini from France took refuge in Roma during the French Revolution. They brought them with carts of hundreds of deceased friars. One of the friars began to arrange the bones in the crypt and it continued throughout the years.

It was kind of eerie walking into a dark and very ancient chamber. The bones covered every inch of wall and ceiling. The crypts are each arranged by body parts. There is the crypt of shin and thigh bones, the crypt of pelvises, and the crypt of skulls. It seems almost unreal, like walking through an inside-out cemetery. It is hard to believe that every single bone belonged to a real human being, of almost 4,000 people.  

Not only can you see the museum and crypt on a visit there. A crypt is defined as being a chamber below a church, and the church above the Cappuccini Crypt is Santa Maria Immocolata. It is a beautiful 15th century church dedicated to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Arcangelo Michele (The Archangel Michael) is only one of many stunning paintings adorning the walls of the church. 

Santa Maria Immocolata is easy to find as it is located right at Piazza Barberini.