Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, Roma
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini is more than just a modest church belonging to the monastic order. It is incredibly simple both outside and inside. Well, except for the fact that canvases of famous masters are used as the decorations. But tourists are attracted by the museum of the history of the order and the crypt with the remains of Capuchin monks. The scary crypt.
History of the church
The first stone of the church was laid by Pope Urban VIII on October 4, 1626. The construction was sponsored by his brother, Cardinal Antonio Barberini. The project was implemented by the Capuchin monk Michele da Bergamo, who at the time was a papal architect.
The first mass took place in the church on September 8, 1630. Until today, the temple belongs to the congregation of Capuchin monks. And the Santa Maria della Concezione church was the first in Rome, dedicated to the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. During construction, it was in the suburbs, but over time the city grew bigger, and it ended up inside the borders of it. And after the unification of Italy, the neighboring monastery and the bell tower were demolished in order to expand the streets. But in the period 1928-1933, the monastery was rebuilt.
Architecture and interior
Brick served as the main material for the construction. The façade of the church is decorated with white stone pilasters. From inside, the temple impresses with modest size and a small amount of ornaments. And this is after all the rich churches of Rome! Structurally, it has one nave, an altar, an apse, and 5 chapels each on both sides.
Near the entrance there are the tombs of two famous monks, revered Catholic saints: Felix of Cantalice and Crispin of Viterbo.
Chapels are adorned with the paintings of famous Italian artists. Among them are: Arcangelo Michele che caccia Lucifero by Guido Reni, Natività by Giovanni Lanfranco, San Francesco riceve le stimmate by Domenichino and San Francesco in preghiera by Michelangelo.
Museum and Crypt
The museum was created to trace and popularize the history of the Order of Capuchins. It consists of several sections:
- The first section is devoted to the church and monastery of the Capuchins, which actually became the basis for the creation of the museum.
- The second section covers the activities and history of the order through archival documents, paintings, portraits and photographs of the holy fathers.
- The third part, La Santità Cappuccina, is dedicated to individual saints in the history of the order.
- The fourth part is the largest. It illuminates the culture and spirituality of monks through the demonstration of clothing and objects for liturgical and everyday use.
- The fifth section is devoted to the painting San Francesco in preghiera, created by Caravaggio specifically for the Capuchin monastery.
Crypt
The crypt is the last point ofthe museum route. And this is not a simple crypt with sarcophagi of saints. This place has its own special atmosphere, oppressive and heavy. After the church was built, it was decided to transfer the bones of the monks from the monastery cemetery, which had functioned since 1528, to the crypt. Subsequently, the remains of the Capuchins continued to remain in the crypt until 1870.
Thus, the remains of over 4000 monks are collected here. The crypt is divided into 6 chapels. And they are all decorated with bones, skulls and whole skeletons. And they are really ornamently decorated, they create a truly eerie picture with ornamental motifs. Thus, the Capuchins demonstrate that the body is only a vessel for an immortal soul.
How to get there
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini is located in the center of Rome, on Via Vittorio Veneto, 27. Not far from it there is the famous Barberini Palace, the square that carries the same name with magnificent fountains of the Triton and the Bees. You can get there by metro (Barberini station, line MEA) and buses. Barberini stop (MA), routes 52, 53, 61, 63, 80, 83, 150F, 160, 590, C3, N1, N4, N25.
Opening hours: the church is open from Monday to Saturday from 7:30 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00, and on Sunday from 9:30 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00. The museum is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00. The ticket office closes at 18:30. Phone number for information (+39) 06 88803695.
Admission: entrance to the church is free. To visit the museum and the crypt you have to purchase tickets. The cost of a full ticket is 8.5 euros, with a discount (people under 18 and over 65) – 5 euros, groups (from 10 people) – 6 euros. Information about visits and prices may vary.
