Capuchin Monastery and Vault, Brno

The Capuchin Vault is a crypt in the basement of the Capuchin Monastery, founded in the mid-17th century. It is a funeral room mainly for Capuchin friars.

The Capuchins viewed coffins as a luxury not afforded to them due to their vow of poverty. Therefore, the bodies were simply placed in the crypt. Due to the conditions of the basement, the bodies were mummified. They are used in scientific studies and may be viewed by tourists.

One of the bodies in the Capuchin Crypt is that of Saint Clementaine. She was a Roman noblewoman. Her remains and some of her relics rest near the entrance.

Reaching the crypt requires navigating narrow passageways that also offer views of the bodies of dignitaries. One notable corpse shows a body frozen in fear with a note, showing that she was accidentally buried alive. Above the crypt is an etched warning written in Czech. It states, "As you are now, we once were; as we are now, you shall be."