I Corridoi – Catacombe Frati Cappuccini

EXPLORE

Le Catacombe dei Cappuccini di Palermo si compongono di lunghe gallerie comunicanti scavate nel tufo, per un’estensione di circa 300 mq. In questi saloni sono custoditi circa 2.000 scheletri e corpi mummificati, rendendo di fatto le Catacombe di Palermo la collezione di mummie più ampia e straordinaria del mondo.

The bodies face death in the white niches, with clothes that have been extraordinarily preserved for centuries and with the signs bearing the nam and the data of death.

The legend says that among these bodies there would also be that of the Count of Cagliostro, unnecessarily sought by Napoleon when he visited the convent.

THE CORRIDORS

The mummies were arranged throughout the corridors by profession, sex and social status.  The oldest part consists of the corridor of the Capuchin Friars, mummified wearing the habit, typical dress of their order. Then there is the hall dedicated to priests who retain priestly regalia.

Suggestive is the corridor of the women, dressed in embroidered clothing and ornamental caps on their heads. In a chapel, known as the "Crucifix", there are the bodies of young virgin women.

The corridor of the men contains the bodies of members of palermo's prominent families. In the middle of this corridor there is also the last visible preparation room, the "colatoio".

There is the chapel of the children and the corridor of families (which includes mummies of the same family).

The corridor of professionals keeps the mummies of doctors, lawyers, painters, officers and soldiers, including the painter Velasquez, the sculptors Filippo Pennino and Lorenzo Marabitti and the surgeon Salvatore Manzella.

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The Origins

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo were built as a simple cemetery in which to bury the monks of the monastery and their current development it must be to the case.

The History

The news of the 45 bodies found intact in the Capuchin convent attracted great attention.

The Techniques

La maggior parte delle salme presenti nelle Catacombe di Palermo ha subito un processo di mummificazione naturale.