Seeing the most beautiful Mummy in the World at Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo has been an outstanding experience. A visit to Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo will leave you speechless, hopefully. A former graveyard of more than 800 people is indeed something rather strange to visit. Looking at the remains of humans that passed away more than 100 years ago is definitely not your average holiday activity. Yet, I highly recommend it. It gave me another glimpse at how short each life actually is, and that you should live each day to its fullest. Be happy, apologize, support your own health and always look forward.
a visit to Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo
The exhibition at the Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo is structured by categories; males, females, babies, families and honourable people such as priests and others. The most disturbing to me was the faces, especially their mouths. Collapsed toothless mouths, wide open, in pain, trying to catch the last breath of air. But they failed to do so, obviously. Some bodies still have teeth and hair, some are well dressed, some rather not, some look like they passed away peacefully, and some have deep pain visible all over their faces. Disturbing, but an interesting and appreciated possibility to get an insight into each life of those long-lost souls.
the most beautiful mummy in the world in Palermo
The most famous mummy at Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo is Rosalia Lombardo, known as the most beautiful mummy in the world. She was born in 1918 as the daughter of a well-situated family in Palermo. Just aged two she passed away, but her father, who battled with grief, wanted to preserve her forever. Her balsamication is the work of Dr Alfredo Salafia, a local embalmer. Nowadays she lays in a clear case filled with nitrogen, to prevent any sign of decomposition.
Please be respectful of the no-photo policy at the Catacombes!
Personally, I have definitely respected the no photo policy, however, saw many other visitors taking pictures with their smartphones. Just imagine you die in the 1850s, after a long illness caused by a disease, and yet you end up on someone else Instagram 150 years after you have taken your last breath. In a shitty photo quality no less, as it is pretty dark inside the catacombs. Seriously, who would want this, so showing some respect is definitely adequate. Already looking at all those bodies is a sacrifice, why decrease the number of people my taking voyeuristic photographs!? I truly wish the rules were actually obeyed, and at least mentioned at the entrance.
Therefore you will only find pictures from outside the catacombs below.
Who would have imagined veering photographed in a shitty quality, as it’s rather dark inside the catacombs, only to end on Facebook or Instagram, probably within unrespectful comments? Hence, don’t do it, and be respectful!
Catacombe dei Cappuccini Palermo
Address: Piazza Cappuccini, 1, 90129 Palermo PA, Italy
Website: catacombepalermo.it/catacombe
Opening hours: daily from 9 am – 12:30 am, 3 – 5:30 pm (closed on Sundays from the end of October – the end of March)
Ticket price: 3,00€
