Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins (Santa Maria della Concezione dei Capucchini) Tours

The Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins (Santa Maria della Concezione dei Capucchini) is home to an unusual Capuchin crypt, made up of five chapels decorated with the bones of more than 4,000 friars. View the bones, arranged in elaborate patterns on the walls and ceilings, alongside other lovers of offbeat, if macabre, attractions.

The Basics
The Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins is part of a Capuchin convent commissioned in the 1600s by Pope Urban VIII. Upon completion, Capuchin Cardinal Antonio Barberini had the remains of deceased friars exhumed and transferred to the new church's crypt. Visit to see how the monks transformed these bones into intricate works of art, including floral motifs, bone picture frames and hanging lights, and full skeletons dressed in monk’s robes.

Tour this remarkable crypt as part of a larger crypt-and-catacomb tour, which often combines a visit with the Domitilla Catacomb and the Basilica of San Clemente. Families might opt to see Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins as part of a kid-friendly underground walking tour of Rome.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins, as it's a place of worship.
• The church and crypt is not accessible to wheelchairs.
• Photography is not allowed inside the crypt.
• The crypt may not be suitable for the very young or squeamish.

How to Get There
The Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins is located on Via Veneto, a short walk from Piazza Barberini where a number of buses and the metro line A stop.

When to Get There
The church and crypt are open daily, and it’s best to visit this popular site either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it’s less crowded.

Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini Beyond The Crypt
Most come to Church of Immaculate Conception to see its extraordinary crypt, but the church is home to a number of important 17th-century works of art. The most notable are St. Michael the Archangel altarpiece by Guido Reni, Christ Mocked by Gherardo delle Notti, and Saint Paul Restores Vision by Pietro da Cortona.