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Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo
8,000 mummified corpses line the walls—dressed, posed, some still recognizable. The last addition was in 1920: two-year-old Rosalia Lombardo, so perfectly preserved she seems to blink.
1599 - Present
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
10000+ witnesses
The Capuchin Catacombs display 8,000 preserved corpses.
The Catacombs
According to historical records:
The collection:
- Began 1599
- Originally for monks
- Wealthy paid for spots
- Dressed in finest clothes
- Posed standing or lying
The Preservation
Bodies were:
- Dehydrated for months
- Dressed in best clothes
- Placed on display
- Families visited
- Changed their clothes
Rosalia Lombardo
The “Sleeping Beauty”:
- Died 1920, age 2
- Perfectly preserved
- Appears to blink
- Glass coffin
- Last interment allowed
The Blinking
Modern explanation:
- Light changes on glass
- Eyes appear to open
- But some say…
- She really blinks
- Alive in some way
The Categories
Bodies arranged by:
- Profession
- Gender
- Age
- Monks, women, virgins
- Children’s section
The Experience
Visitors report:
- Overwhelming sorrow
- Being watched
- Connection with dead
- Profound discomfort
- Respect required