Capuchin Catacombs

The Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) lie beneath the Capuchin monastery on Piazza Cappuccini in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The crypt was first used in 1599, when the friars moved to a new burial site after their old cemetery filled and discovered that the dry conditions of the crypt had naturally mummified the bodies of the first friars. Over the next three centuries the practice spread beyond the monks: local nobles, clergy, professionals and their families paid to be preserved and displayed there, dressed in their clothes and arranged in corridors. The number of bodies is estimated at about 8,000, with the last major burial in the 1920s. The catacombs are laid out in corridors, divided into sections for friars, men, women, virgins, children, priests and professionals. Bodies are hung from the walls or lie in coffins, and the clothing and condition vary. The best-known body is that of Rosalia Lombardo, a young girl who died in 1920 and whose remarkably well-preserved body is known as the most beautiful mummy in the world. Her preservation was achieved by the embalmer Alfredo Salafia and has been studied by scientists. The catacombs are a record of the social history of Palermo, showing changing fashions and burial customs. The environment is a source of continuing preservation work, because humidity and temperature affect the bodies, and conservation projects have been carried out to stabilise the remains. Photography is not permitted inside, in respect of the dead. The site is part of an active monastery and has a quiet and sombre atmosphere. Visitors should be prepared for the strong impact of the displays, which may be disturbing for some people. The catacombs are located outside the historic centre and are best reached by bus or taxi. They are often combined with a visit to La Zisa, which is in the same part of the city.