Crypt Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini

the crypt located under church. cardinal antonio barberini, member of capuchin order, in 1631 ordered remains of thousands of capuchin friars exhumed , transferred friary via dei lucchesi crypt. bones arranged along walls, , friars began bury own dead here, bodies of poor romans, tomb under floor of present mass chapel. here capuchins come pray , reflect each evening before retiring night.

the crypt, or ossuary, contains remains of 4,000 friars buried between 1500 , 1870, during time roman catholic church permitted burial in , under churches. underground crypt divided 5 chapels, lit dim natural light seeping in through cracks, , small fluorescent lamps. crypt walls decorated remains in elaborate fashion, making crypt macabre work of art. of skeletons intact , draped franciscan habits, part, individual bones used create elaborate ornamental designs.

the crypt originated @ period of rich , creative cult dead; great spiritual masters meditated , preached skull in hand.

a plaque in 1 of chapels reads, in 3 languages, now, once were; now, shall be. memento mori.

the popularity of crypt tourist attraction once rivalled catacombs. sedlec ossuary (1870) in czech republic , skull chapel in poland said have been inspired it.