My only disappointment was that I was not allowed to take photos (the mean girl at the ticket desk made me put my camera into my bag before heading inside), so all the images you see in this post will have been grabbed from Google Images.
When I first walked into the crypt area I knew I was in the right place because of the putrid smell. I didn't realize that these beautiful bone designs and mummified remains would be out in the open - no glass enclosure to come between me and these beauties. If you go, keep in mind that the smell was so bad to my travel companion that she immediately left and waited for me outside. I, on the other hand, walked through each chamber twice just so I could retain the glorious images in my mind.
As you approach the first chamber you will see the ornately decorated hallway. I may have audibly gasped in delight (I know, I know.) Jawbones lined the arched doorways! Each chamber (I believe there were six) had its own "theme" but each was glorious and beautiful unto itself. And the mummies! Did I mention the mummies still in their monk's robes? So gruesome! So gross! So ghoulish! SO GREAT!
There is an admission fee of 6 euro to enter. They've added a new museum to the attraction where you can see objects created and/or owned by the monks. That was okay, but the treat here are the crypts. If you find yourself in Rome, you might want to check it out!
Happy Halloween, my friends!
-L
