Capuchin Catacombs
Photo by Calcedonio Reina Public domain
Around 1,250 mummified bodies displayed standing along the corridors, dressed as in life. Not a place for everyone.
- Distance
- Area
- Cappuccini
- Visit
- 45 min
- Entry
- Ticketed
The story
From the late 16th century the Capuchin friars discovered that conditions in their crypts favoured the natural mummification of bodies. The practice later extended to lay people and continued until 1880. The galleries are organised by category: friars, men, women, virgins, priests, professionals, children. The last burial is Rosalia Lombardo, who died aged two in 1920 and was embalmed by the chemist Alfredo Salafia.