San Nicola in Carcere
(Click on any photo to see a larger version)
Crypt
Remains of the podia of the three temples are on view here, together with the narrow alleyways between them. A puzzling feature is the row of small rooms or cells cut into the podium of the central temple. These small rooms, which at the time of their discovery fueled the legend of the ancient prison, were probably used instead as offices of money changers, operating in function of the numerous traders, habitual frequenters of the times of the Olitorio forum.
The crypt used to be an ossuary, and there were a lot of old bones scattered about until fairly recently (mostly human) which made for a rather macabre visit.
The crypt can be visited on Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Main Page
Aisles and Chapels