Piazza Barberini
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | The '''Capuchin Crypt''' is a small space comprising several tiny chapels located beneath the church of [[Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini]] on the Via Veneto near [[Piazza Barberini]] in [[Rome]], [[Italy]]. | + | '''Piazza Barberini''' is a large [[piazza]] in the ''centro storico'' or city center of [[Rome]], [[Italy]] and situated on the [[Quirinal Hill]]. It was created in the 16th century but many of the surrounding buildings have subsequently been rebuilt. |
| - | It is the final resting place for over 4,000 [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] friars, who died between 1528 and 1870, as well as several poor Romans. The soil in the crypt was brought from Jerusalem. Large numbers of the bones are nailed to the walls in intricate patterns, many are piled high among countless others, some hang from the ceiling as working light fixtures. There are six total rooms in the crypt, all but one featuring a unique display of human bones. | + | The current appellation was given in 1625 when it was named after the [[Palazzo Barberini]], the substantial [[Baroque]] palace built in an elevated position on the south side of the piazza for the [[Barberini]]. Originally, there was a large entrance gateway to the palace designed by the Baroque painter and architect [[Pietro da Cortona]] on the south east corner of the piazza but this was demolished to make way for the construction of a new road in the 19th century. However, its appearance is known from engravings and early photographs of the piazza. |
| - | # '''Crypt of the Resurrection''', featuring a picture of [[Jesus]] raising [[Lazarus of Bethany|Lazarus]] from the dead, framed by various parts of the human skeleton. The key to interpreting the crypt's displays of funereal art lies in the Christian belief in the Resurrection of the body and everlasting life . | + | At the centre of the piazza is the ''Fontana del Tritone'' or [[Triton Fountain]] (1642–3) sculpted by [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini|Bernini]]. Another fountain, the [[Fontana delle Api]] (1627–1629), also by Bernini is in the nearby Via Vittorio Veneto but it has been reconstructed somewhat arbitrarily following its removal from its previous position on the corner of a palace where the Piazza Barberini meets the [[Via Sistina]]. |
| - | # '''The Mass Chapel''', as an area used to celebrate Mass, does not contain bones. In the altar-piece, Jesus and [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] exhort [[Felix of Cantalica|St. Felix of Cantalice]], [[Francis of Assisi|St. Francis of Assisi]], and [[Anthony of Padua|St. Anthony of Padua]] to free souls from Purgatory. The heart of Maria Felice Peretti, the grandniece of [[Pope Sixtus V]], is also preserved in this room, at her request. The chapel also contains the tomb of the Papal [[Zouave]]s who died defending the [[Papal States]] at the battle of [[Porta Pia]]. | + | |
| - | # '''Crypt of the Skulls''' | + | |
| - | # '''Crypt of the Pelvises''' | + | |
| - | # '''Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones''' | + | |
| - | # '''Crypt of the Three Skeletons''' The center skeleton is enclosed in an oval, the symbol of life coming to birth. In its right hand it holds a scythe, symbol of death which cuts down everyone, like grass in a field, while its left hand holds the scales, symbolizing the good and evil deeds weighed by God when he judges the human soul. A placard in five languages declares{{quotation|''"What you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be..."'' | + | |
| - | Opening hours: 9-12 noon; 3-6 p.m., closed Thursdays. There is no entry fee, but a donation is "required" (minimally 1 euro). No photography is permitted. | + | Until the 18th century, unknown human corpses were displayed here for public identification. Between 1632 and 1822 an antique [[obelisk]] stood here; it was transferred to [[Villa Medici]]. |
| - | ==See also== | ||
| - | *[[Capuchin catacombs of Palermo]] | ||
| - | *[[Capela dos Ossos]] | ||
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Piazza Barberini is a large piazza in the centro storico or city center of Rome, Italy and situated on the Quirinal Hill. It was created in the 16th century but many of the surrounding buildings have subsequently been rebuilt.
The current appellation was given in 1625 when it was named after the Palazzo Barberini, the substantial Baroque palace built in an elevated position on the south side of the piazza for the Barberini. Originally, there was a large entrance gateway to the palace designed by the Baroque painter and architect Pietro da Cortona on the south east corner of the piazza but this was demolished to make way for the construction of a new road in the 19th century. However, its appearance is known from engravings and early photographs of the piazza.
At the centre of the piazza is the Fontana del Tritone or Triton Fountain (1642–3) sculpted by Bernini. Another fountain, the Fontana delle Api (1627–1629), also by Bernini is in the nearby Via Vittorio Veneto but it has been reconstructed somewhat arbitrarily following its removal from its previous position on the corner of a palace where the Piazza Barberini meets the Via Sistina.
Until the 18th century, unknown human corpses were displayed here for public identification. Between 1632 and 1822 an antique obelisk stood here; it was transferred to Villa Medici.
