Cappuccini Catacombe (Capuchin Catacombs), Palermo

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, located in Sicily, serve as a unique historical record and a somewhat macabre tourist attraction. Initially established in the 16th century due to the space limitations in the existing cemetery, the monks of the Capuchin monastery began excavating crypts beneath their monastery. The first mummification took place in 1599 with Brother Silvestro of Gubbio, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition of preserving the deceased.

The process of preservation involved dehydration on ceramic pipe racks, sometimes followed by a vinegar wash. Embalming methods varied, with some bodies placed in sealed glass cabinets while others, including the friars, were dressed in their every day or penance clothes. Over the centuries, the catacombs evolved into a prestigious burial site. Prominent local figures requested specific clothing and regular garment changes in their wills, reflecting their status and personal desires.

Originally exclusive to deceased friars, the catacombs later included priests, local luminaries, and other citizens, each dressed according to their societal role or contemporary fashion. The catacombs, maintained through donations from relatives, housed about 8,000 corpses and 1,252 mummies by 2011, organized into distinct sections based on social or religious status, including men, women, virgins, children, priests, monks, and professionals.

Family members often visited to maintain and pray for the deceased, ensuring the bodies remained in presentable condition. A failure to continue donations could lead to the deceased being moved to a less prominent location until payments resumed. The catacombs closed to new interments in 1880, except for a few notable burials in the early 20th century, including Rosalia Lombardo, a nearly two-year-old preserved remarkably well by an innovative embalming formula developed by Professor Alfredo Salafia.

Today, the catacombs offer a deep insight into the historical and cultural practices of Palermo, drawing visitors from around the world with its eerie yet fascinating display of preserved human history.