The Dead on Display
Wall of bones and corpse, Capela dos Ossos, Portugal. Photo
Mick L.
Bone chandelier in the Sedlec Ossuary; corpse in Capuchin Catacombs.
Left photo licensed under GFDL; right photo © Paradoxplace.
The body of St. Clare (d.1253) is on display (with a wax mask) in the
Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi, Italy.
The body of San Padre Pio (d.1968) has been on display in San
Giovanni Rotondo since April 2008 for the 40th anniversary of his death.
Photo © Convento Padre Pio.
The exhumed body of the the Khambo Lama (d.1927), still in the lotus
position in a Buddhist monastery in Siberia.
Corpses in the crypt of St. Michan's Church, Dublin. Photo © secret.kiwi.
There are a number of places in the world, most of them religious, that display the dead in one way or another for the edification of any visitor with a strong stomach and the price of admission.
Some of these sites result from a phenomenon that has naturally (or supernaturally?) mummified the dead, while others consist of artful arrangements of bones and skulls done by a creative monk in his spare time. In addition to such collections of human remains, many saints whose bodies have been miraculously preserved are on display in churches. (There's even a Buddhist example of the miracle in Siberia.)
Such displays of the dead certainly appeal to travelers with a taste towards the macabre, but they can also provide thoughtful visitors with a powerful reminder of the impermanence of life. Whatever your reason for checking out the "dead on display," the sites below are widely recognized as among the best in the world. Also listed are individual preserved bodies of saints and other famous figures.
Collections of Bodies and Bones
Capuchin Catacombs - Palermo, Sicily
Over 350 years ago, the Capuchin monks of Palermo discovered that bodies buried in their catacombs remained remarkably wellpreserved. Word soon got out, and everyone who was anyone asked to be buried in their Sunday best in these catacombs. Today, visitors can view over 8,000 mummies in various stages of creepy decay or preservation.
Mummy Museum - Guanajuato, Mexico
Unlike the otherwise similar site in Sicily, the deceased inhabitants of this museum are not here by choice. In fact, the poor corpses are on display for any curious visitor to see because their relatives failed to the pay the rent on their burial plot. It is unknown why the dead who have been placed in this museum are mummified – scientists have thus far been unable to explain the phenomenon.
Sedlec Ossuary - Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
The ossuary of the "Bone Church," as it is popularly known, contains approximately 40,000 human skeletons which have been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for a Cisterician monastery chapel.
Chapel of Bones - Evora, Portugal
This 16th-century chapel is lined with the skulls and skeletons of about 5,000 people from local cemeteries, plus two leathery corpses hanging from the ceiling for unknown reasons. The macabre display was created by a couple of monks who wished to contemplate the transitory nature of life — and communicate that message to others. A painted note over the entrance reads, "Our bones that are here await yours."
St. Michan's Church - Dublin, Ireland
Because of the dry atmosphere in the underground burial vault, bodies have lain here for centuries without showing signs of decomposition.
Incorrupt Saints on Display
- St. Andrew Bobola
Church of St. Andrew Bobola, Warsaw, Poland
Died in 1657, discovered incorrupt 1697. - St. Bernadette Soubirous
Convent of St. Gildard, Nevers, France
The visionary of Lourdes, died 1879. Surely the most beautiful corpse you'll ever see (with some help from wax). - Mother Cabriani
Mother Cabrini High School Chapel, New York City, USA
Italian-born nun, died in Chicago 1917. - St. Catherine Labouré
Chapel, Rue du Bac, Paris, France
A Mary visionary, exhumed after 56 years. - St. Catherine of Bologna
Died 1463, has been on display in an upright position for over 500 years. - St. Clare of Assisi
Basilica di Santa Chiara, Assisi, Italy
Died 1253. - St. Clare of Montefalco
Church of the Holy Cross, Montefalco, Italy
Body and heart with cross imprint enshrined separately. - Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov
Ivolginsky Datsan, Siberia, Russia
A rare Buddhist example: a monk who died in the lotus position in 1927 and remains seated and undecayed today. - St. Etheldreda
St Etheldreda’s Catholic Church, Ely, England
Just her hand is on display. - St. Francis Xavier
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa, India
Most of his incorrupt body is on display in a silver casket. - St. John Vianney
Shrine of St. John Vianney, Ars, France
Beloved parish priest of Ars, died 1859, exhumed 1904. - St. Padre Pio
San Giovanni Rotondo, Southern Italy
Died 1968. Exhumed and temporarily(?) on display from April 24, 2008 to mark the 40th anniversary of his death. - Pope John XXIII
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
On display in a glass casket. - Blessed Paula Frassinetti
Chapel of the Convent of Santa Dorotea in Rome, Italy
Died in 1882, exhumed 1906. - St. Rita of Cascia
Basilica of St Rita, Cascia, Italy
The patron saint of hopeless cases, died 1457. Her body has been seen in different positions in the glass case and her eyes have opened and closed unaided. - St. Sperandia
Benedictine Convent, Cingoli, Italy
Died 1276, exhumed eight times, the last in 1952. Said to exude a sweet fragrance ("odor of sanctity"). - St. Teresa Margaret
Monastery of St. Teresa, Florence, Italy
Died 1770, exhumed 1783. - St. Vincent Pallotti
Church of St. Salvatore, Onda, Italy
Died 1850, exhumed 1906 and 1950. - St. Zita
Basilica of St. Frediano, Lucca, Italy
Died 1278.
Notable Non-Saints on Display
- Jeremy Bentham
University College Lobby, London, England
Utilitarian philosopher, died 1832, requested in his will to be preserved and displayed. - Lenin
Lenin Mausoleum, Russia
Died 1924, wanted a simple burial, but has been on display ever since his death.
