Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    265
    Rep Power
    0

    Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    From Wikipedia

    ''The catacombs contain about 8000 mummies that line the walls. The halls are divided into categories: Men, Women, Virgins, Children, Priests, Monks, and Professionals. Some bodies are better preserved than others. Some are set in poses: for example, two children are sitting together in a rocking chair''

    I'll be near this place in April, but would anyone actually want to visit? Anyone been?


    http://members.tripod.com/~Motomom/index-3.html

    Mad pics on the left

    Reminded me of a story about 'art with bones' from the Czech Republic. Here's a chandelier from the crypt, made entirely from bones. Gross but pretty clever.

    http://www.artgraphica.net/art-shop/church-of-bones/sedlec010.htm

  2. #2
    Senior Member Just Me's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    5,386
    Rep Power
    5254786

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    My god this child looks so recent yet she died in 1920. 

    http://members.tripod.com/~Motomom/child.jpg

    http://members.tripod.com/~Motomom/Image15.jpg

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    265
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    Yeah, pretty mad stuff. St Bernadette died in 1879 and yet she also looks perfect

    http://www.catholicpilgrims.com/lourdes/lourdes_photo_aa.htm

  4. #4
    Senior Member MrBoddy2005's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    4,126
    Rep Power
    2612956

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    [quote author=24/7inquisitor link=topic=12617.msg728598#msg728598 date=1202921869]
    Yeah, pretty mad stuff. St Bernadette died in 1879 and yet she also looks perfect

    http://www.catholicpilgrims.com/lourdes/lourdes_photo_aa.htm
    [/quote]

    That May/May Not Be A Wax Covering On Her Skin
    Oh God, Stop The Voices *SCREAM*

  5. #5

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    They have something like this in mexico and I remember my parents taking me and me having nightmares for weeks. 

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    624
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    The embalming method used on the little girl died with its creator, who never told anyone how he did it. I am really really curious as to how someone in the 20's could figure it out and still to modern day, nearly a hundred years later, we can't get a hold on it.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    ballsacky USA
    Posts
    15,347
    Rep Power
    21474869

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    i was just showing my kids in class that little girl. They were amazed.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    265
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, the dead body 'museum'

    [quote author=MrBoddy2005 link=topic=12617.msg728644#msg728644 date=1202925438]
    That May/May Not Be A Wax Covering On Her Skin
    [/quote]

    You're right. After her third exhumation they crafted it but it's eerie that she hadn't deteriorated much at all, especially since her body was disturbed so many times.

    From wikipedia

    Bernadette's body exhumed incorrupt

    St. Bernadette Soubirous at Nevers was exhumed in 1909 after thirty years in a damp grave. She is pictured here with a wax mask.Bishop Gauthey of Nevers and the church exhumed the body of Bernadette Soubirous on September 2, 1909, in the presence of representatives appointed by the postulators of the cause, two doctors, and a sister of the community. They found that although the crucifix in her hand and the rosary had both oxidized, her body appeared "incorrupt" — preserved from decomposition. This was cited as one of the miracles to support her canonization. They washed and reclothed her body before burial in a new double casket.

    The church exhumed the corpse a second time on April 3, 1919. The body still appeared preserved, however, her face was slightly discolored possibly due to the washing process of the first exhumation.

    In 1925, the church exhumed the body for a third time. They took relics, which were sent to Rome. A precise imprint of the face was molded so that the firm of Pierre Imans in Paris could make a light wax mask based on the imprints and on some genuine photos. This was common practice for relics in France, as it was feared that although the body was uncorrupted, the blackish tinge to the face and the sunken eyes and nose would make an unpleasant impression on the public. Imprints of the hands were also taken for the presentation of the body. The remains were then placed in a gold and glass reliquary in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette at the motherhouse in Nevers. The site is visited by many pilgrims and the body of Saint Bernadette to this day remains intact despite being nearly one hundred and thirty years old

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •