The Bone-Chilling Catacombs of the Capuchin Monks
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Although it’s not the slightest bit rational, we humans possess the primal urge to be terrified. We love it. Why else would we pay money to watch horror films? Why visit haunted houses, or tell ghost stories? And in Palermo, a city of gorgeous churches and fascinating history, why should one of the top tourist attractions be the corpse-filled dungeon of the Catacombe dei Capuccini? What’s wrong with us?
Found on the outer limits of the city, the Capuchin catacombs hold the remains of over 8000 souls, their disembodied shells propped up against the walls or resting in open caskets. Down in the cold, dry basement of the monastery, the relentless march of decomposition takes its sweet time. It’s a gruesome display. Though some bodies have been reduced to skulls and bones, the majority of corpses are still rotting, and their half-decomposed husks are the stuff of nightmares.
Face skin slowly peeling off skulls. Corpses striking ghoulish poses as their bodies slowly fall apart. Hollowed-out faces with grotesque grimaces, teeth and even mustaches still intact. An infant in a tiny coffin, its face reduced to a pile of crinkled skin, like dry, crushed leaves. Monks dressed in hooded robes, staring at you from their eternal perch, and an entire army of the baby-undead. It isn’t the kind of horror which jumps out at you, and you scream and then laugh about it. No, the catacombs provide the long-lasting sense of dread which worsens with each step. Which becomes more unbearable the longer you remain.
The first monk was interred here in 1599, and his 400-year-old corpse is still on hand to greet visitors upon entrance. For centuries, the catacombs were strictly for the monks, but eventually opened to well-paying members of the public. For reasons that can only be understood as macabre, families actually wanted the corpses of their loved ones preserved and displayed, so that they could come to visit.
The standard method of preservation was to open up the corpse shortly after death and remove all the vital organs. Then the body would be stuffed with hay, and left in the sun to dry up. Many of the corpses have hay poking through their necks and falling out of holes in their skin. We can only pray that a herd of horses never finds its way to the catacombs, because that would be a truly unholy feeding frenzy.
The final soul to be interred here was the benefactor of a special conservation process designed by a specialist named Solafia. Baby Rosalia Lombardo died in 1920 at the age of two. Her body, which rests in a special room of the catacombs, resembles a life-size doll, complete with eyelashes and hair. Far from being sweet or a “miracle of science”, she might be the most horrendous resident of all. The one who, you just know, is going to open her eyes the moment you turn your back. Luckily for all of us, the good Doctor Solafia died before he could pass on his preservation method.
Because it’s such a unique and interesting place, the Capuchin Catacombs definitely warrant a visit. But those who are easily terrified might want to stay away. We brought Jürgen’s cousin, a sensible girl who normally refuses to visit even cemeteries. I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive us.
Photos and videos are strictly prohibited in the Catacombs, and we had to purchase permission at a rather hefty rate. Hence the watermarks. If you’d like to use these images, please get in touch.
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November 6, 2011 at 5:51 pm
November 6, 2011 at 11:37 pmIsabella Davis
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Amazing preservation on some of these fellows,but for some odd reason I’m not quite as hungry as I was before I decided to view these images,thanks for sharing this great information as always fellows, best wishes in your travels.Regards, IsaBella
November 7, 2011 at 4:13 amFrancesco
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To me the most terrifying thing about Palermo’s catacombs has always been the contrast between the exposed corpses and the neon-lights. It gives me the idea that technology goes forward anyway and that materialism triumphs no matter what. Brrrrr.
November 8, 2011 at 9:24 amChic Soufflé
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Terrifying, yet fascinating! The hanging monks are a nice touch… I can’t believe how many corpses are down there!
November 9, 2011 at 6:01 amHummus
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Umm, on this note goodnight all… and sleep tight.
November 9, 2011 at 11:25 amBecky
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Oh my gosh! I was horrified but couldn’t bring myself to stop scrolling…
November 9, 2011 at 5:47 pmJoseph Barbaccia
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I love these images. I’d die just to be able to be there one day. : )
November 12, 2011 at 2:25 amTC
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Not so much mummification as being left there to rot!? ICK!!!!
November 16, 2011 at 4:51 pmbrenda
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muy buenas las fotos aunque algo intrigantes de como es que terminaron ahi todos esos cuerpos. como dice la pagina hay que tener valor como para ir a verlo en vivo , yo por ahora veo las fotos y ni me acerco al lugar.
November 17, 2011 at 12:34 pmPATPL
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Go there at the night. That must be scary and amazing
November 22, 2011 at 6:14 pmIgor
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At least theyre not walking down my street and looking in through my window.
November 29, 2011 at 7:15 pmtim
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amazing loved the documentry on the girl in the glass case ,will be visting at some point in my life time
December 8, 2011 at 7:05 pmMarcello
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If I am not wrong, the whole sense of that display was to remind the visitors and the monks the old saying that humans are only passing by on the earth,that we all are turning into dust and that we must concentrate on the afterlife rather than on this one…
January 28, 2012 at 1:32 amcuppycakes
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awww…the young baby just touched my heart :’(
July 12, 2012 at 8:28 pmJacqui
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Hi I missed this docmentary about the catacombs of Palermo when and where can I watch it on my lap top
July 17, 2012 at 8:30 pmRobi Miller
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Its very extreme the bones and skulls.
August 12, 2012 at 7:27 pmDenise
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Visited here in July 2012, fascinating place, if in Palermo do not miss it! It is a place like no other, didnt find it scary but dont take any photos because a voice from above will tell you off and remind you that the bodies were once alive like you and one day you will be dead like them!
December 1, 2012 at 6:54 pmsaly
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OMG …. I’M IN SHOCK REALLY … HOW ?? … I THOUGHT THAT THEY’RE ALIVE OR SOMETHING .. ME ALL IN CHILL .. IN SOMEHOW I FELT LIE THEY TALK TO ME … AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD A STORY TO TELL
March 3, 2013 at 5:04 pmAddicted2Italy travel blog by Larry Aiello
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I’ve been to the catacombs many times, and as bizarre as it may be, I highly recommend it (unless of course you have small children). The pictures are fantastic. I’m surprised they let you do them. I’ve tried a couple of times. You must have really paid a “hefty” price, but well worth it.Larry