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A display of mummies in the Catacombs of the Capuchins, Palermo.
Photo © Paradoxplace.com
Photo © Paradoxplace.com
Two ladies seem to still be gossiping away. Photo © Paradoxplace.com
The alarming cover of a book on the Palemo catacombs.
An old postcard from the Capuchin Catacombs.
For visitors to Palermo who enjoy the macabre and/or bizarre, the Catacombe dei Cappuccini (Catacombs of the Capuchins) are a must-see. Like most displays of human remains, a visit to the mummies can lead to reflection on the meaning of death. But it goes without saying that this "human library" of thousands of bodies is not for the faint-hearted or weak-stomached!
History
In 1599, Capuchin monks discovered that their catacombs contained a mysterious preservative that helped mummify the dead. As a result, more than 8,000 Sicilians from all walks of life chose to be buried here.
The corpses range in date from the late 1500s to 1920 and most were embalmed before their display. Giuseppe Tommasi, prince of Lampedusa and author of the famous Sicilian work The Leopard, was buried in the cemetery next to the catacombs in 1957.
In the 1940s, Allied bombs hit the monastery, destroying many of the mummies. The Capuchin Monastery (Convento dei Cappuccini) itself was rebuilt over the remains of the original medieval church in 1623 and was once again restored in the early 20th century.
What to See
Visitors can wander through the catacombs' dank corridors among the mummified bodies. The halls are divided into categories that include: Men, Women, Virgins, Children, Priests, Monks, and Professors (including the famous painter Velasquez).
The corpses are dressed in splendid clothes, now somewhat decayed, and occupy their own individual niches according to their social status. Many of the deceased wrote wills that specified the clothes in which to bury them, and some even asked to have their clothes changed over a period of time.
Many corpses are still remarkably preserved and some give the impression of enjoying a joke with their deceased friends. Others are not in such good shape, with horribly contorted, creepy faces and missing parts like jaws and hands.
The last corpse to be buried here was that of 2-year-old Rosalia Lombaro, who died in 1920. She is so well-preserved, she has been nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty."
Quick Facts
| Names: | Catacombe dei Cappuccini, Catacombs of the Capuchins |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery; dead on display |
| Address: | Piazza Cappuccini 1, Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Phone: | 091-212117 |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-noon and 3-5pm (until 7pm in summer). Closed holidays. |
| Cost: | 1.50€ |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Capuchin Catacombs. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Palermo Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Resources
- Palermo Map (Sacred Destinations) - a fully interactive aerial view
- Palermo Hostels (HostelBookers) - book your budget lodgings
- Palermo Hotel Reviews (TripAdvisor) - unbiased reviews and ratings from fellow travelers, plus price comparisons!
- Palermo Travel Forum (TripAdvisor) - answers, tips, and advice
- Palermo Car Rentals (AutoEurope) - explore Sicily on your own timetable
Article Sources
More Information
- Palermo - The Catacombe Cappuccini - Paradoxplace.com (more photos)
- Le Catacombe dei Cappuccini – PalermoWeb.com (Italian only, but with photos)
- Palermo: The Outskirts - Rough Guide Italy Online
