What is the Crypt of the Capuchins and why are there bones decorating it?

The Crypt of the Capuchins is a cemetery chapel in Rome containing the bones of over 4,000 Capuchin friars collected between 1528 and 1870 from the ancient cemetery near the Quirinal. Rather than being macabre, the Capuchins used the bones as a spiritual reminder that the body is merely a container for the immortal soul, with the famous motto at the entrance stating: 'What we were you are, and what we are you will be.'

How many chapels are in the Crypt of the Capuchins and what will I see inside?

The Crypt consists of five small chapels that preserve the bones and mummified bodies of numerous friars, many still wearing their traditional Capuchin robes. The chapels feature elaborate displays of skulls, teeth, femurs, and other bones arranged throughout the space, creating an unforgettable and historically significant experience.

Where is the Crypt of the Capuchins located in Rome?

The Crypt of the Capuchins is located in the church of Santa Croce and Bonaventura near the Quirinal in Rome. This central location makes it accessible to visitors exploring Rome's historic religious sites and monuments.

What is the spiritual message behind the bone decorations at this crypt?

The Capuchins designed the crypt to exorcise the fear of death by emphasizing that upon an individual's death, their physical limbs can be freely used for other purposes while the immortal soul remains eternal. The famous plaque at the entrance conveys this philosophy, making the space a profound meditation on mortality and the afterlife rather than simply a gruesome display.

How many Capuchin friars' remains are displayed in the crypt?

The Crypt of the Capuchins contains the bones and remains of more than 4,000 Capuchin friars, collected from their ancient cemetery and arranged throughout the five chapels. These remains span several centuries of the order's history, from 1528 to 1870.

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Crypt of the Capuchins

At the entrance to the cemetery you will find a motto, carved on a plaque, which reads as an eternal reminder, "What we were you are, and what we are you will be." This frightening place, for some decidedly grim and macabre, actually aims to exorcise death, emphasizing that the b...

Photo · Katia S.

Crypt of the Capuchins — Roma, Italy.

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About Crypt of the Capuchins

Crypt of the Capuchins - Roma | Secret World Trip Planner

At the entrance to the cemetery you will find a motto, carved on a plaque, which reads as an eternal reminder, "What we were you are, and what we are you will be."

This frightening place, for some decidedly grim and macabre, actually aims to exorcise death, emphasizing that the body is merely a container for the immortal soul and that upon the individual's death his or her limbs can be freely used for other purposes... The spooky cemetery "decorated" with the bones of more than 4,000 Capuchin friars: skulls, teeth, femurs and other bones from the ancient cemetery of the order of friars located near the Quirinal in the church of Santa Croce and Bonaventura and collected between 1528 and 1870. The Crypt of the Capuchins consists of five small chapels that preserve the bones and mummified bodies of numerous friars still wearing their typical robes.