Taylor Richins
Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo
Updated: Nov 13, 2021

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo (also Catacombe dei Cappuccini or Catacombs of the Capuchins) are burial catacombs in Palermo, Sicily, southern Italy. Today they provide a somewhat macabre tourist attraction as well as an extraordinary historical record.

But first! Some of the fun and beautiful photos of Palermo!


LaShelle loving the amazing architecture in Palermo!

Randi got to enjoy one of best Canoli's she's ever tasted!

It's hard to comprehend the size of these columns!


Drawings of what the catacombs looked like back in the day. Now there are walkways with iron railings on both sides to keep the mummies protected.

Photos from the early 1900’s

Bodies were dehydrated on racks of ceramic pipes in the catacombs and sometimes later washed with vinegar. Some bodies were embalmed and others were enclosed in sealed glass cabinets. Friars were preserved with their everyday clothing and sometimes with ropes they had worn in penance.



Initially the catacombs were intended only for deceased friars. However, in later centuries it became a status symbol to be entombed in the Capuchin catacombs. In their wills, local luminaries would ask to be preserved in certain clothes, or even have their clothes changed at regular intervals. Priests wore their clerical vestments, while others were clothed according to contemporary fashion. Relatives would visit to pray for the deceased and to maintain the body in presentable condition.


Professional men

From the children's corridor

Some of the Friars

Alfredo Salafia, the taxidermist that mummified little Rosalia Lombardo.
It is hard to believe that little Rosalia has been dead for over 100 years.
Sources:
Music - Classic Horror 3 by Kevin MacLeod (Edited out some of the empty spaces) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Episode sources
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/capuchin-monastery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombe_dei_Cappuccini
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/the-story-behind-capuchin-monastery-catacombs/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/capuchin-catacombs-palermo-001627
https://palermo.for91days.com/the-bone-chilling-catacombs-of-the-capuchin-monks/
https://wearepalermo.com/news/capuchin-catacombs/
http://palermocatacombs.com/catacombs/
Videos!
Scariest Places on Earth (Palermo Italy)
Youtube video
INSIDE THE CAPUCHIN CATACOMBS OF PALERMO
Top 13 Scariest Places On Earth - Creepiest Places on Earth to Visit!
Capuchin Catacombs | Rosalia Lombardo | The Largest Collection Of Mummies In The World |
https://youtu.be/iI1ia1qFYQoCapuchin Catacombs of Palermo