Strange for some and creepy for others, the Cappuccini Catacombs of Palermo (also Capuchin Catacombs) became a tourist attraction, just like a museum, with a ticket and fee to visit. The catacombs date to the 16th century and now hold about 8,000 bodies.
In the beginning, the Capuchin monks were the only ones to be mummified in the catacombs. However, not too long afterwards it became a status symbol to be entombed here. Wills soon started to indicate what clothes were to be worn and even specified certain times to have them changed. Relatives would come to visit and pray for the deceased and they would donate money for the maintenance of the catacombs. If donations were no longer being made, the body would be transferred onto a shelf from the temporary niche, until donations came again.
One of the last bodies to come here is that of a two year old girl (Rosalia Lombard), who died in 1920. Her body is still in great shape, exhibited in a glass case.
Each hall has a separate category: men, women, children, virgins, priests, monks, and professionals.
Some bodies are better preserved than others and most are very close to the walkway. Time has put its unforgiving mark on what once must have been fashionable clothing. Even on the embalmed human flesh, which on some of these bodies is totally or partially gone, only bones and rags remain. The Cappuccini Catacombs is a good place to visit and reflect on our transitory passing through this beautiful planet, which our greed devastates. Can we all stop for a minute and really understand that we will be gone someday, but all that we create, buy, or do might make a great difference to the future of Earth and its inhabitants? These Palermo mummies might not hunt us, but our own doings might.
