The legend
The Crypt of the Three Skeletons
The crypt holds three juvenile skeletons, symbols of the precariousness of life and universal death. Decorated with bones in complex floral patterns, the crypt houses deceased Capuchin friars and a central figure, probably a Barberini princess, with a scythe and scales to represent death and divine judgment. The tombstones commemorate friars revered for their sanctity, giving the environment a deep symbolic and historical value linked to the Barberini family.
The Crypt of the Three Skeletons
The crypt holds three juvenile skeletons, symbols of the precariousness of life and universal death. Decorated with bones in complex floral patterns, the crypt houses deceased Capuchin friars and a central figure, probably a Barberini princess, with a scythe and scales to represent death and divine judgment. The tombstones commemorate friars revered for their sanctity, giving the environment a deep symbolic and historical value linked to the Barberini family.
The Crypt of the tibias and femurs
The crypt is decorated with fascinating and symbolic details. The side walls feature niches with statues of Capuchins, including the revered Brother Anthony of Canton and Father Raymond of Olot, known for his translation of the biography of St. Francis into Arabic. Stacks of bones and skulls adorn the arches and capitals. The back wall and vault are richly decorated with bones and skulls, with floral motifs and crosses of vertebrae. A massive lampstand and splay decorated with a sacred bone and winged skull complete the ornamentation.
The Crypt of the tibias and femurs
The crypt is decorated with fascinating and symbolic details. The side walls feature niches with statues of Capuchins, including the revered Brother Anthony of Canton and Father Raymond of Olot, known for his translation of the biography of St. Francis into Arabic. Stacks of bones and skulls adorn the arches and capitals. The back wall and vault are richly decorated with bones and skulls, with floral motifs and crosses of vertebrae. A massive lampstand and splay decorated with a sacred bone and winged skull complete the ornamentation.
The Crypt of the Basins
The side walls of the crypt house capuchins lying under arcosols, while the back wall features a composition of bones and skulls. Three capuchins are depicted in niches, with the central one under a canopy decorated with bones and vertebrae, surmounted by skulls and rosettes. The vault is ornamented with cross bands of basins, vertebrae and long bones, terminated by eight-pointed stars. In the center, the rosette is composed of scapulae and vertebrae. The side crosses refer to the instruments of Christ's Passion and mark the burial of seven Capuchins.
The Crypt of the Basins
The side walls of the crypt house capuchins lying under arcosols, while the back wall features a composition of bones and skulls. Three capuchins are depicted in niches, with the central one under a canopy decorated with bones and vertebrae, surmounted by skulls and rosettes. The vault is ornamented with cross bands of basins, vertebrae and long bones, terminated by eight-pointed stars. In the center, the rosette is composed of scapulae and vertebrae. The side crosses refer to the instruments of Christ's Passion and mark the burial of seven Capuchins.
The Crypt of the Skulls
The Crypt is adorned with reclining and standing Capuchins inside niches embellished with skulls and bones. The back wall features a winged hourglass, a symbol of the passage of time. The vault is decorated with bands of fibulae and humeri and features a central sphere decorated with flowers and ribs. Crosses on the floor mark the burial of seven Capuchins. The aisle is adorned with triangles formed by mandibles and a rosoncino made of shoulder bones, while the chandelier is suspended from an eight-pointed star.
The Crypt of the Skulls
The Crypt is adorned with reclining and standing Capuchins inside niches embellished with skulls and bones. The back wall features a winged hourglass, a symbol of the passage of time. The vault is decorated with bands of fibulae and humeri and features a central sphere decorated with flowers and ribs. Crosses on the floor mark the burial of seven Capuchins. The aisle is adorned with triangles formed by mandibles and a rosoncino made of shoulder bones, while the chandelier is suspended from an eight-pointed star.
The Chapel for the Mass
The Crypt, dedicated to Mass for the Dead, features an altar with a painting by Jan François Courtois, depicting Mary with Child and the souls of purgatory. On either side of the altar are marble tabernacles. On the left wall is preserved the heart of Maria Felice Peretti (+1656), and on the right wall is buried Giuseppe Matteo Orsini (+1660).
The Chapel for the Mass
The Crypt, dedicated to Mass for the Dead, features an altar with a painting by Jan François Courtois, depicting Mary with Child and the souls of purgatory. On either side of the altar are marble tabernacles. On the left wall is preserved the heart of Maria Felice Peretti (+1656), and on the right wall is buried Giuseppe Matteo Orsini (+1660).
The Crypt of the Resurrection
The Crypt is decorated with skulls, femurs and tibiae in triangular arcosoles housing two capuchins. The vault is decorated with rosettes of sacred bones, frames of vertebrae and arches formed from ribs. The floor marks the burial of seven religious. The corridor wall features crowned hearts and coats of arms, with a skull emerging from basins. At the bottom, a canvas depicts the resurrection of Lazarus, symbolizing hope in resurrection and eternal life.
The Crypt of the Resurrection
The Crypt is decorated with skulls, femurs and tibiae in triangular arcosoles housing two capuchins. The vault is decorated with rosettes of sacred bones, frames of vertebrae and arches formed from ribs. The floor marks the burial of seven religious. The corridor wall features crowned hearts and coats of arms, with a skull emerging from basins. At the bottom, a canvas depicts the resurrection of Lazarus, symbolizing hope in resurrection and eternal life.
* The texts were freely taken from R. Cordovani, The Crypt of the Capuchins: A Short Guide.
FEC RULES
CONTACTS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A PERMIT
TO TAKE PHOTOS/VIDEOS INSIDE THE CRYPT
F.E.C (FONDO EDIFICI DI CULTO)
protocollo.prefrm@pec.interno.it
(cc also fec-coordinamento@pecdlci.interno.it and diritti.immagini@diocesidiroma.it)
N.B. ONCE THE PERMISSION IS OBTAINED, CONTACT THE MUSEUM’S SECRETARIAT
TO AGREE ON THE DAY AND TIME.
MUSEUM CONTACTS:
info@museoecriptacappuccini.it – 06/88803695
HOW TO REACH US
e-mail: info@museoecriptacappuccini.it
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