The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo & the Mummy of Rosalia

The Timeless Catacombs of Palermo: Home to 8,000 Mummies and Rosalia

Table of Contents

1 The Timeless Catacombs of Palermo: Home to 8,000 Mummies and Rosalia
2 Rosalia Lombardo

The Catacombs of the Capuchins in Palermo, Italy, are a remarkable and somewhat eerie testament to the city’s rich historical tapestry. This labyrinthine underground burial site is not just an ordinary resting place; it holds an astonishing collection of around 8,000 mummies, each with its own story. Among them is a particularly captivating specimen: an impeccably preserved baby mummy that has captured the attention of visitors and scholars alike.

Originally, the Capuchin monastery in Palermo had a conventional cemetery that served the local monastic community. However, by the 16th century, the cemetery had reached its capacity and could no longer accommodate new burials. Faced with this dilemma, the monks took the extraordinary step of excavating crypts beneath the existing cemetery. These subterranean chambers would go on to become the Catacombs of the Capuchins.

The mummification process employed by the monks was intricate and involved several steps. Initially, the corpses were placed on racks made of ceramic pipes. Here, they would undergo a dehydration process, effectively removing the bodily fluids that would otherwise hasten decomposition. Sometimes, the bodies were subsequently washed with vinegar, a step believed to further aid in the preservation process.

Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo — *Giuseppe Incorpora (1834-1914)*

Not all bodies underwent the same treatment; the methods varied depending on various factors, such as the status of the deceased or the wishes of their families. Some were embalmed, a more elaborate technique that involved treating the corpse with preservatives to stave off decay. Others were carefully placed in sealed glass cabinets, adding an extra layer of protection against the elements.

What sets the Catacombs of the Capuchins apart from other burial sites is the attention to personal details. Monks, for example, were often interred wearing their everyday monastic garments. Remarkably, some were even buried with ropes tied around their waists or other parts of their bodies. These ropes were not merely decorative; they served as a symbol of penance, providing a glimpse into the austere lives these monks led in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

In summary, the Catacombs of the Capuchins in Palermo offer a fascinating look into burial and preservation practices of the past. Whether it’s the impeccably preserved baby mummy that elicits both awe and wonder, or the thousands of other mummies that fill the catacombs, each contributes to a larger narrative—a narrative that reveals as much about the living as it does about the dead.

Initially, the Catacombs of the Capuchins were designed as a sacred space exclusively for the interment of deceased friars from the adjacent monastery. The original vision was one of seclusion and spiritual reverence, a final resting place where the monks could continue their eternal journey in the company of their spiritual brothers.

However, as time progressed, the catacombs underwent a transformation in both purpose and perception. Over the subsequent centuries, being laid to rest in this underground sanctum evolved into a coveted status symbol. No longer solely the domain of the monastic community, the catacombs started to attract the attention of Palermo’s elite. Wealthy families and individuals saw the prestige in being entombed alongside the friars, and the catacombs became a sought-after location for burials.

The catacombs house approximately 8,000 mummies, organized into various sections such as Men, Women, Virgins, Children, Priests, Monks, and Professionals. The quality of preservation varies among the bodies, with some in better condition than others.

Intriguingly, some mummies are arranged in specific poses. For instance, two children are seated together in a rocking chair.

Families of the deceased had access to the coffins, allowing them to physically connect with their loved ones during special occasions. On designated days, family members could hold the hands of the mummified relatives, joining them in a moment of prayer.

Rosalia Lombardo

“One part glycerin, one part formalin saturated with both zinc sulfate and chloride, and one part of an alcohol solution saturated with salicylic acid.“

Rosalia, a young Italian girl, passed away in 1918 in Palermo. Her father, Mario, sought the expertise of Alfredo Salafia, a skilled embalmer and taxidermist, to preserve her body. Thanks to Salafia’s meticulous work, Rosalia’s body remains incredibly well-preserved to this day, with all her organs intact.

Her preserved form resides in a small chapel, elegantly displayed on a wooden pedestal. Salafia achieved this remarkable preservation by replacing Rosalia’s blood with a specialized solution composed of formalin, alcohol, glycerin, salicylic acid, and zinc.

Source: [Wikipedia] , [http://commons.wikimedia.org/]