Visiting the Capuchin Crypt & Museum - Rome

Rome is filled with tons of interesting historic sites where visitors can see numerous relics and learn the stories of the city’s past. What makes the Capuchin Crypt particularly unique is the display of thousands of bones of Capuchin Friars. The crypt and museum aren’t as popular as some of Rome’s other iconic monuments, but this is definitely an intriguing spot to visit for an hour or two if you’re interested in learning about another piece of the city’s history.

Capuchin Crypt History

The Capuchin Franciscans are an order of men under the Catholic Church established in Italy in the early 1500s. Their way of life emphasizes preaching, prayer, and serving the less fortunate.

In 1626, Pope Urban VIII Barberini ordered the construction of this convent because his brother was a Cardinal in the Capuchin Order. Many friars soon lived here and the convent became the hub of the whole Order. The complex was once quite large, but only the crypts and church remain today.

The bones in the crypt come from the bodies of Capuchins who Cardinal Barberini exhumed and moved into the crypts after the convent’s construction, as well as the bones of friars in the order who passed over the following years. The crypt serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of life.

The museum opened to the public only in 2012 with the goal of keeping Capuchin history alive. This is a newer and somewhat lesser-known attraction in Rome.

A photo of the Capuchin Crypt from the mid-1800s. Credit: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons — A photo of the Capuchin Crypt from the late-1800s. Credit: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Getting to the Capuchin Crypt

The Capuchin Crypt and museum are both located in and under the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. To get to the ticket office, head up the front steps of the church off Via Vittorio Veneto.

The church sits in the heart of Rome close to many attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc. so you may be able to reach it on foot from wherever you’re staying or exploring.

If coming from further, there are many public transport options to get you there. The nearest metro station is Barberini only about a minute walk away. Take Line A to reach it. The Barberini (Ma) bus stop is also right nearby, which serves lines 61, 62, 85, 492, and more. Check the transport website for more info on routes and schedules.

Fontana delle Api in Plazza Barberini with the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione in the background

Lastly, you can take a taxi here. There are various taxi stands around the city, or you can download apps like FreeNow or itTaxi to call a ride.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or upon arrival with cash or card. If you wait to buy your ticket upon arrival, note that your entrance isn’t guaranteed if it’s a busy day. When booking online, you’ll select your date and time slot, which are laid out in 15-minute increments. Make sure to show up at the time you reserve.

Standard tickets cost €10 per adult. This includes an audio guide. There are discounts for group bookings, youth, elderly, etc. and free entry for young children, the disabled, and others. To buy tickets and learn more about other ticket options, visit the official website.

Hours & Regulations

The Capuchin Crypt and museum are open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (last entry at 12:30 p.m.) and 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.).

This is a religious site, so dress accordingly. Knees and shoulders must be covered during your visit. If you aren’t dressed appropriately, you’ll be given a paper gown to cover yourself.

When we visited, taking photos inside was not allowed. However, according to the website, visitors can take now photos for personal (non-commercial) use.

Large bags and certain other items aren’t permitted inside. There are free lockers near the entrance to use if needed. You cannot bring food or drink, except a water bottle, inside.

A painting of a friar in the museum. Credit: Capuchin Museum and Crypt

Visiting the Capuchin Crypt and Museum

We arrived at the church entrance not long before opening, and soon, a small line started to form. Upon opening, we presented our pre-booked tickets, retrieved our audio guide, and put our backpack in a locker. Before reaching the Capuchin Crypt, visitors pass through the museum.

The museum contains various rooms covering the lives of friars, history of the convent, and influence of the Capuchin Order around the world. The exhibits contain clothing worn by friars, everyday items, religious artifacts, and artwork, including a Caravaggio piece. The provided audio guide was quite informative.

At the end of the museum route, you’ll make your way into the crypts. The different rooms contain bones of over 3,700 friars laid in ornamental designs on the ceilings, walls, and ground. One of the crypts contains a little chapel. Walking through the crypts is definitely a bit sombering, but also interesting and quite unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Bones placed inside the Capuchin Crypt. Credit: Dnalor_01 via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 3.0 — Bones placed inside the crypt. Credit: Dnalor_01 via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 3.0

Tours

There are tours provided by the museum if you’re interested. These must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. There are also some independent tours that visit the Capuchin Crypt.

With the information provided in the included audio guide, we felt that we received a significant amount of information on the history and displays here and that a tour wouldn’t be worth the extra cost. However, you might find a tour to be a good option if you’re a group or wanting a guide’s perspective on the history here.