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An important Rome attraction that often gets missed is a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, a set of six chapels made up of human bones and skulls. Sound creepy? It’s ultra creepy! But after spending a few days exploring Rome’s better known attractions as a family, this might be just the type of attraction to break the monotony of historic and religious sites (while still doing precisely that!)
Check out all of these skulls. Unfortunately, the Capuchin Crypt does not allow photographs in the chapels so the only way to share the macabre vision is through photos of their post cards. The bones are nailed to the walls in intricate patterns, piled around each chapel, and there are even bone chandeliers.
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Four thousand friar skeletons occupy the crypt, buried by their order after being transported to Rome in 1631. People have visited these bone chapels for hundreds of years — really, this site has to been seen to be believed.
Is the Capuchin Crypt kid-friendly?
I’d say categorically this is not a good place for little kids unless you are carrying a sleeping baby. Older school-age kids, tweens, and teens, however, will think you are the coolest (or craziest) parent ever for bringing them in here.
The crypt is below the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini off Piazza Barberini on the Via Veneto. This is not a well-known attraction — I must have asked 15 people how to find the church and I got countless shoulder shrugs, even in Piazza Barberini. Anyway, in retrospect, it’s not difficult to find if you get yourself on Via Veneto from the piazza. Here is a link to the official website for hours and more information.
Finding off-the-beaten-path gems like the Capuchin Crypt in Rome is exactly why our planning service is so popular, especially for our top planning market (Italy). We’ve got additional ideas for unusual things to do in Rome with kids here.
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By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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This creepy spot was a hit with my kids, too! I also thoroughly enjoyed it, too.
Since it isn’t often on other itineraries – SO much to see in the delightful city of Rome, that I did include it in my travel guide for kids on Rome.
Once you find a family friendly place to stay via Ciao Bambino, come check out my book.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, there is a fee to get in and no photos are allowed.
My husband and I visited this on our trip through Rome and Venice in 2007. It was also one of our last stops on the trip and kind of a pain to find (not as hard as the internet cafe we were looking for though!). It was incredible. I agree with the sleeping baby comment. My 1.5 year old is a little too active. I don’t think he would care about the actual bones, but he would want to touch everything. What a cool experience for your kids though! Glad you enjoyed.
My boys loved this crypt and my husband loved it as a kid, as well. Thanks for sharing the pics.
We spent this last January in Rome with our 5 and 2 year old for my husband’s work. My husband went here first and very much thought we should not take our 5 year old! He has a very active imagination and thought it would be a very, very bad idea. (Our 2 year old wouldhave been fine.) I loved it, amazing to see and so many bones I do not recognize! We do love Rome!
Wow. I can’t believe they used the bones to create chandeliers. Super creepy (even for adults).
I think as a kid I would have loved this, as I was all over anything that freaked me out! (That said, I’m also a huge wimp…I keep a blanket over my head during any entire horror flick I watch, ha.)
Sounds like one of the creepier crypts over there! I think my kids would love it.