The Crypt (underground hidden church), was built in 1544 when G. Scloccheto da Piacenza was Abbot of Montecassino. The crypt is a cave hewn in the mountain rocks and is coinciding with the upper choir and with the chapels devoted to the Holy Virgin.

The deteriorated 16th century decoration of the crypt was replaced in 1913 by the present work of the Benedictine Art School in Beuron (Germany), founded by the monk Desiderius Lenz.

When descending the stair-way, we will observe on both sides the stone bas-reliefs of two processions of monks and nuns, ideally moving towards the altar.

When reaching the floor, we first see the Chapel of St. Maurus; the marble high-relief shows this discipline, dearest to St. Benedict, while blessing a crowd of poor and sick people. The so-called "blessing of St. Maurus" is still given to certain invalids with a relic of the Holy Cross.

The other Chapel is dedicated to St. Placid, disciple of St. Benedict, portrayed in bronze between two angels on the Altar. Episodes of the Saint's life are illustrated on the wall, while the vault is delicately decorated in mosaic.

Next to these, below the semicircular window, mediaeval orders of knighthood whose constitution was based upon the Benedictine Rule are illustrated: the Orders of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, of Calatrava, of the Temple, Teutonic, of St. James, of St. Mauritius, ending with the bas-relief of Pope Celestine V, hermit and founder of the Celestine Monastic Order.

The Founder Saints of some Branches of the Benedictine Order are sculptured below the mosaic image of the Madonna with Child:

• St. Guglielmo Founder of Montevergine;
• St. Romualdo of Camaldoli;
• St. Robert of Citeaux;
• St. Giovanni Gualberto of Vallombrosa;
• St. Silvestro of Fabriano;
• St. Bernardo Tolomei of Monte Oliveto;
• St. Francesca Romana of Oblate of Tor de' Specchi.

The whole crypt area is surrounded by the choir in Swedish granite surmounted by the bas-relief decoration in Candoglia marble portraying a procession of monks moving to revere their Patriarch.

The mosaics of the savories feature on one side allegories of monastic vows with the formula: "Suscipe me Domine.." and on the other side the biblical figures of Moses and David praising the Lord by sacrifice and singing psalms.

Images available in this page:

	Entrance Decorations at the entrance of the Crypt (278x413, 53K)
	Chapel of St. Maurus Image of the chapel of St. Maurus (280x413, 54K)
	Mosaic image of the Madonna with Child Image of the mosaic with sculptured below the Founder Saints of the branches of the Benedictine Order (402x445, 103K)
	Chapel of St. Placid Image of the chapel of St. Placid (305x415, 79K)
	Center Vault Center Vault of the Crypt and Altar (484x460, 67K)
	Choir of the crypt Image of the choir with bas-relief in Candoglia marble (464x464, 121K)

Now you can visit:

• the Left aisle;
• the Right aisle;