Reopening of the Crypt of the Sacre Stimmate di San Francesco, November 5 to December 10, 2026

From November 5 to December 10, 2026, the crypt of the Church of the Sacre Stimmate di San Francesco, at Largo delle Stimmate 1 in Rome, can be visited free of charge after its restoration. The extraordinary openings are organized by the Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma and fall on Thursdays: November 5, 12, 19 and 26, and December 3 and 10, 2026. Admission is free, with no reservation.

Updated November 6, 2026.

The event

The crypt lies beneath the church, a few steps from Largo di Torre Argentina, and consists of two underground rooms. The first is a chapel with an altar, partly clad in decorations made of human bones arranged in geometric and floral patterns, with walls painted to look like marble. The second is the ossuary, with simpler decoration and a mural of the Deposition, damaged in the past by damp. The Soprintendenza presents it as a rare example of a decorated ossuary, tied to funerary practice between the 17th and 18th centuries.

The works, funded with PNRR Caput Mundi money for 2.1 million euros, covered the cleaning and consolidation of the bone decorations, the faux-marble paintings and the Deposition, the rebuilding of the floor with the tombstones returned to their places, the reopening of the historic entrance and the installation of a walkway and LED lighting. The archaeological excavations confirmed Roman-era walls under the floor, possibly linked to the Diribitorium, the building where the votes cast at the nearby Saepta Iulia were counted.

The crypt already existed in 1710 and was used as a burial place by the confraternity tied to the church. The present building was rebuilt in the early 18th century to a design by Giovan Battista Contini and consecrated in 1719. Visits are held in small groups and involve descending several steps: to protect the site, no accessibility devices were installed.

Where it takes place: Church of the Sacre Stimmate di San Francesco

The church stands in the Pigna district, in the historic center, near the sacred area of Largo Argentina. The same small square also faces the Stimmate archaeological area; nearby are Largo Argentina, the cat sanctuary and the church of Santa Maria in Campo Marzio. For another decorated ossuary in Rome see the Capuchin crypt.

Practical information

• Dates: Thursdays, November 5, 12, 19 and 26, and December 3 and 10, 2026.
• Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. on November 5 and 12; then 3 to 8 p.m. on the following Thursdays through December 10.
• Location: Church of the Sacre Stimmate di San Francesco, Largo delle Stimmate 1, 00186 Rome.
• Admission: free, no reservation, small groups.
• Organization: Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma.
• Accessibility: several steps down, no devices for reduced mobility.
• Getting there: check the ATAC route planner.

Frequently asked questions about the crypt of the Sacre Stimmate

Do I need to book?

No, admission is free with no reservation, on the listed dates only.

Who organizes the openings?

The Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma, which also directed the restoration.

Is the crypt accessible for people with mobility difficulties?

No, there are several steps down and no devices for overcoming architectural barriers.

Article written by the editorial team of Tour Leader Pro, contact them for Private/Corporate/V.I.P. Tours and Experiences.

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