What you are now we were, what we are you will be

Is seeing the bones of 4,000 monks from 1528 the neatest thing or the most disturbing thing you have ever seen? I am leaning towards the neatest.

The Capuchin Crypt, which is located under the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, is the "resting place" of over 4,000 Capuchin friars that died between 1528 and 1870. The skeletons of the friars were de-constructed and arranged in designs throughout six rooms. Each room has a theme and unique display of bones, such as the Crypt of the Pelvises and Crypt of the Resurrection.

It was both creepy and fascinating at the same time. Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed in the crypt. There are fully intact skeletons still dressed in friar robes and even several skeletons of what I am assuming are children. Jaw bones, skeletons and smaller bones were aligned to create intricate and elaborate designs on the ceilings and walls. Hundreds of skulls are arranged as resting places for whole adult skeletons in friar robes. There are even entire chandeliers created out of bones. Below the bones are the graves of monks. The soil for the graves was brought from Jerusalem!



In the last room, the Crypt of the Three Skeletons, an entire skeleton is placed on the ceiling holding a scythe, a symbol of death that cuts humankind down, and scales, a symbol of the evil and good deeds considered by God when he judges the soul. It is the size of a small child. Below the skeleton, a plaque reads:

"What you are now we were, what we are you will be."

Haunting.