Children of Llullaillaco: Where Young Children Were Sacrificed to the Gods, Church of the Dead: Home to the Peculiar Mummies of Provincial Italy. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This mix of substances was injected directly through an incision in the femoral artery. Alfredo also designed an ad hoc coffin for little Rosalia, with a glass lid welded to a wooden crate, so that the body could be preserved for a long time, since there was no contact with light, since in this way no one could touch the body. Her mummified body, sometimes referred to as 'Sleeping Beauty', was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin . The impact of a new culture of Nordic tradition on Sicily in the 11th-12th century led to a new architectural style: Palermos Arab-Norman architecture introduced innovative elements from the north of Europe, such astowers at the sides of faades, within Byzantine layouts, such as the greek-cross plan inscribed in a square, and structural or decorative details of Islamic origin, such as pointed arches. Rosalia Lombardo (Born December 13, 1918 and Died December 6, 1920) was a Palmerian toddler who died one week before her second birthday from pneumonia caused by the Spanish flu. The preserved body of Rosalia Lombardo, as photographed by National Geographic in 2009, has started to show indications of decomposition most notably discoloration. The problem at the time, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved. Geni requires JavaScript! Indeed, she is nicknamed the sleeping beauty. Rosalia's father, official Mario Lombardo, was sorely grieved upon her death, so he approached Alfredo Salafia, a noted embalmer, to undertake the task of preserving her. Biblio data only below the dashed line. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark? Mario was so devastated by her death that he asked Alfredo Salafia (a well-known Italian pharmacist) to mummify her and keep her as alive as possible (by looking). Rosalia Lombardos angel face pushed him to improve the preservation technique in order to preserve its natural beauty. However, once down the stairs the scene begins to change to a more basic overlay. A visit to the Catacombs of Capuchin is the ultimate reminder or Memento Mori (in Latin) that we too will join the endless ranks of the dead alas perhaps in not such a spectacular setting. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. To add further to the folklore surrounding the Sleeping Beauty, rumor had it that Rosalia would blink multiple times a day. The Lombardo family was Italian, and despite the fact that the Spanish flu pandemic was coming to an end, the girl's pneumonia appeared to have been caused by this lethal illness. These blue eyes, like the rest of her body, are remarkably intact. The mummy is one of the best preserved bodies in the catacombs. COPYRIGHT UNSOLVED MYSTERIES & PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES, 2017-2018. While this sparked stories about the mummy who could open her eyes on the internet, in 2009, Italian biological anthropologist Dario Piombino-Mascali disproved the core myth surrounding Rosalia Lombardo. Rosalia meant the world to her family, especially her father who sought to preserve her eternally. La Pascualita: An Extremely Well-Preserved Corpse, or an Eerily Life-like Mannequin? [8], The mummy has achieved further notoriety for a phenomenon in which her eyes appear to open and close several times a day, revealing her intact blue irises. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. It is difficult to untangle the feelings aroused by Rosalia, innocent and young, yet frozen between worlds, un-allowed to decay least her family lose her spirit forever. Some believed that some supernatural force was at work, and that the mummy actually blinked. : 02075400842, 2023 by Albaincoming Eurofirst Tours. Her name is Rosalia Lombardo, and she died of pneumonia caused by the Spanish Flu just one week shy of her second birthday in 1920. Many of the bodies who hang on the walls were protected in cages because some tourists had a kleptomaniacal penchant for taking bones as souvenirs. [6] The mummy remains one of the best preserved bodies in the catacombs. In fact, a few years ago it was realized that the girl's face was going to meet a normal decay. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Interesting history topics are just a click away. The Normans were a group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over much of Europe. 2022 History of Yesterday | All Rights Reserved. Many of these ingredients are commonly used today, but the shining star of this concoction is the zinc salts which essentially petrified her body. Create Biography . Its stunning streets and crossroads run to the Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty. If you want to visit Rosalia, youre not alone. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). In the 100 years since her death in 1920, Rosalia has become interwoven with Sicilian lore. The empty body is then filled with natron salts, which desiccate it. [5] To address these issues, the mummy was moved to a drier spot in the catacombs, and her original coffin was placed in a hermetically sealed glass enclosure with nitrogen gas to prevent decay. Alfredo Salaria used glycerin, formalin, zinc salts, alcohol and salicylic acid on the body of little Rosalia. Alfredo Salaria arrived at the house of the Lombardo spouses, located in Piazza San Francesco di Paola, about 24 hours after the child's death. It is December 13, 1918. While her eyes generally open just slightly more than 1/8th of an inch, they open to reveal perfectly intact baby blue eyes. Mario Lombardo, Rosalia's father, was determined to find out the exact cause of her death in order to assign blame. But, this supposed sister is strangely quiet and difficult to learn about. (Sibeaster / Wikimedia Commons). Within Palermo, the catacombs are a short walk from the city center, but public transportation is also available. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 6 December 1920)[1] was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Accept Read More, https://www.youtube.com/embed/jrbbOCuDJCE, Post Mortem Photography Immortalizing the Dead, Padre Pio Stigmata, Miracle Worker or Fraud, https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2014/06/mystery-of-blinking-child-mummy-solved.html. In the depths of the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily lies the dead body of a young girl in a wooden and glass casket. Many find it too overwhelming to be underground with what looks like an army of the dead from a horror film, including an Argentinian companion of mine who had to surface for air and rejoin the mortal beings above. The glass case also protects the body from any effects of light. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920) was a Sicilian child who died of pneumonia, resulting from the Spanish flu, one week shy of her second birthday. Maria di Cara, his partner, has in fact just given birth to their first daughter, Rosalia. Losing a child is always a tragedy, and if it is a child of just a few years of life, the tragedy is undoubtedly even greater and more difficult to bear. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. They are arranged in sections such as religious figures, professions, women, virgins and children. The Italian biological anthropologist was able to debunk the myths about Rosalia Lombardo. But the proof of her heritage doesnt exist. Rosalia Lombardos body is kept in a small chapel at the end of the catacombs tour and is encased in a glass covered coffin, placed on a wooden pedestal. Rosalia Lombardos one hundred year old body may be the most beautifully embalmed body in the world. Your access to this service has been limited. They tell of a young child, born frail and weak, who endured more pain and sickness throughout her short life than most do in their lifetimes. However, the work that Alfredo Salaria managed to carry out on the body of little Rosalia is incredible, his most successful work ever, the body considered the most beautiful in the world by scholars and experts in the sector. Rosalia, an Italian child born on December 13 in the year 1918, died due to pneumonia as a result of the Spanish flu less than two years later, on December 6, 1920. The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site. A symbol of love, death, loss and a reminder of just how short life can be. So, Mario in his grief sought out the famed embalmer Alfredo Salafia to preserve Rosalia forever. X-rays of the body show that all the organs are remarkably intact. The Lombardo family was from Italy and even if the Spanish flu pandemic was coming to an end, it seems that the girl's pneumonia was caused by this deadly virus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is so amazingly well-maintained that even X-rays show the internal organs to be intact. The eyes are half closed, so that the face can appear even more relaxed and sweet, an intense serenity. According to him, everything people are seeing is actually an optical illusion. ", "Why Does This Child Mummy Appear to Open And Close Her Eyes? But the girl, whose second birthday celebration would have been in just seven days, had lost her fight against pneumonia, and with it all, Mario had . It seems that it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow movement. The researchers were able to ascertain that the internal organs are still in perfect condition, but it is the face that is surprising, that face that every visitor to the Catacombs of Palermo can observe with his own eyes. The Lombardo family was . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Unfortunately, though Rosalia is just 98 years old (a fairly young mummy) the truth about her life before death and her family is speculated, but unconfirmed. However, they are not perfectly closed, they are actually ajar, as if it were sleeping, yes, but on the verge of waking up. Directories Newly added. It also appears that over the years, perhaps the 1960s or 1970s, the glass in the coffin broke. Your email address will not be published. When he uncovered this trove of the embalmers papers, he stumbled upon the document where the embalmer recorded all the chemicals that were injected in the body of Rosalia. Mario was grieving so much after her death that he asked Alfredo Salafia (a well-known Italian chemist) to mummify her and keep her as alive as possible (looking). Legend has it that she was a sickly child who suffered illnesses and pain until she contracted a pneumonia at the age of 2 and died from her illness. Agatha Christies Disappearance: Amnesia, Suicide, or Despair? Rosalia Lombardo: The mystery of the Blinking Mummy, Present condition of Rosalia Lombardos mummy: The preserved corpse was relocated. You will then receive an email that helps you regain access. Rosalia's daddy, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Rosalia Lombardos mummified body appeared to be the most alive mummy in the world. Father of Rosalia Lombardo and Rosalia Lombardo. Why is there an Elephant Buried Beneath the Vatican. Mario Lombardo refused to bury her daughter, claiming that losing his son had left him distraught. Thousands of visitors from across the world have come to see the girl, intrigued by the many reports that the eyes of the dead body are blinking. Thank you for your cooperation.You can sign-up to the Membership any time to remove the adds and enjoy the content with no interruptions, Rosalia Lombardos perfectly preserved body, by Andrei Tapalaga | Sep 6, 2022 | Culture. Alfredo Salafia was considered the best as he had a lot of experience preserving corpses. A city steeped in religious history; it was also home to a Catholic sect called the Capuchins (An order of friars and one of the main offshoots of the Franciscan order created by famous religious devout Francis of Assisi). Her father Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia. Palermo is a city with amazing architecture which much of its designs remaining from the Norman and Arab invasions. Much of their rules involved living in as much austerity that was practical. A century has passed, but her corpse still looks like the little girl is just dozing under the glass case of the casket. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Another writer speaks of the temptation and sights that Palermo offers to some famous people of history past, Aunique cultural heritagethat in many centuries has attracted and fascinated onlookers from all over the world, including many intellectuals, poets and writers such asAlexandre Dumas, Mario Praz, Guy de Maupassant, Fanny Lewald and Carlo Levi.. After which, they were bathed in vinegar and stuffed with hay. Rosalia's dad, Official Mario Lombardo, was sorely grieved after her death, so he approached Alfredo Salafia, a noted embalmer, to preserve her. Rosalia Lombardos remains is housed in a tiny chapel at the end of the catacomb tour, enclosed in a glass-covered coffin on a wooden pedestal. The first 3D image of Rosalia revealed that all the organs of her body are perfectly intact even after so many decades. The latter was a Sicilian little girl born in 1918 and dead in 1920 of pneumonia, at just two years. Glycerin prevented her body from desiccating or drying out. Upcoming historian with over 30 million views online. According to the laws of the time, in fact, the embalmed bodies should have remained in the Catacombs only temporarily, only to later find a definitive burial, a burial that Rosalia never had. Maria di Cara, his partner, has in fact just given birth to their first daughter, Rosalia. (Sibeaster / Wikimedia Commons). Watch on Mario Lombardo was overcome by grief when his only child died of pneumonia. Maria Cara Lombardo e Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia (per gentile concessione della Famiglia Lombardo) . Missing Three Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers. One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father is that he supposedly named his second daughter Rosalia (after the first). [7], "Multidetector CT investigation of the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (19181920)", "In the Catacombs of the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo", "Why Does This Mummy Appear To Open And Close Her Eyes? But the proof of her heritage doesn't exist. Log In Once logged in, you can add biography in the database. The techniques used by Alfredo Salafia have marveled many. Some researchers, who had the opportunity to study the girl's body, later discovered that it was most likely bronchopneumonia, discarding the other theories instead. Most of the people that go to visit her mummified body believe that she is a miracle since she keeps blinking even though she has been dead for a long time. Rosalia Lombardo sadly passed away just before her second birthday back in 1920 due to a case of pneumonia, which experts suggest was likely caused by the Spanish flu pandemic. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. After the embalming, Rosalia was then transported to the Catacombs of the Capuchins, which was made possible by the mayor of the city, Giuseppe Lanza di Scalea, who in fact gave his permission. Rosalia's father Mario Lombardo was devastated by her death and approached Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her. The paraffin dissolved in the ether, then applied on the girls face, creates the illusion that she is staring straight at whoever is staring at her. Her story to this day is passed on by the monks who still work in the catacombs. She looks like a baby peacefully taking a nap, and although a blanket is placed over the coffin, the face is visible. He approached a popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia and asked to have her preserved for eternity. But what curiosity are we talking about? In 1933 when the Sicilian embalmer passed away, he wrote down the secret formula of the preservation. Her father was so grief-stricken that he sought the aid of an embalmer and taxidermist to preserve his child. A corridor of mummies inside the catacombs. And the body of Alfredo Salaria? Who is wrong? Then one day one of the descendants of the Salaria family remembered that she had kept an old manuscript. You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence. Advertising Disclosure: This content may use referral links. Avid Writer with invaluable knowledge of Humanity! The mystery was soon solved when he observed that a filtration of light from the windows was catching her eye-lens to cause the illusion of life. Indeed, it is quite difficult to gaze at the little body lying in the glass coffin and still not believe that the girl will awaken at any moment. All rights reserved. Mario Lombardo Unfortunately, though Rosalia is just 98 years old (a fairly young mummy) the truth about her life before death and her family is speculated, but unconfirmed. [3] Sometimes called "Sleeping Beauty", hers was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. This mystery of blinking eyes, and the well-preserved body is what makes Rosalias mummy so fascinating. Scientists have determined that changes in humidity in the catacombs cause changes of pressure in her body and thus her eyes to open. This, along with the light that filters in various ways through the tombs windows throughout the day, causes the girls eyes to seem open. [1][8] Rossella Lorenzi of Discovery News reported that the formalin was used to kill bacteria, the glycerin used to prevent desiccation, and the salicylic acid used to eliminate any fungi within the flesh, with the purpose of the zinc salts being petrifaction. The story was a tragedy by all accounts: Mario Lombardo, now a grieving father, couldn't bear the thought of a life without ever being able to see the face of his beloved child, Rosalia, again. Rosalia Lombardo's father, official Mario Lombardo, was severely upset by the death of his loved daughter and contacted a famous Sicilian embalmer, Alfredo Salafia, to preserve the body of Rosalia. In fact, the body of little Rosalia has organs in a perfect state of preservation and you can see how one lung is denser than the other, a clear sign that the little girl actually fell ill with bronchopneumonia. She now attracts thousands of visitors to the Capuchin Catacombs in Sicily where she lays forever encased in glass. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 4 million WordPress sites. The salts preserved her appearance perfectly, even preventing her nasal cavities and her cheeks from caving in. Husband of Maria Di Cara Rosalia Lombardo: The Mummy That Blinks. In fact, the only proof Rosalia the mummy has a sister is that there is a Rosalia Lombardo who was in discussion with the Sicilian government about the poor treatment of Rosalia by National Geographic. The embalmers relatives gave him several of Alfredo Salafias documents. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could "blame" someone. The body of little Rosalia has closed eyelids as if she were sleeping. Rosalia Lombardo, a two-year-old girl, died in 1920 from an intensified case of bronchopneumonia, a kind of pneumonia that involves inflammation in the alveoli. Luckily for the scientific community they consented and Dario found a handwritten memoir reveling the exact formula injected into Rosalia. But in doing so, she became something larger than life. Nothing to do with Rosalia's body! At a closer look, it can be seen that her eyes are not 100% closed and this was probably done with the intention by Alfredo Salafia to make her look more alive. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920) was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Get notified of the best booming posts weekly. Life is full of constant reminders that we will one day die. Rosalia Lombardo in her glass coffin. He made a small puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, formalin, glycerin, and salicylic acid. Is it better to believe in science or in the irrational? People have witnessed that her eyes open slowly, and that the eyes seem to glisten due to the low lights in the catacombs. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. One resident was not famous in her short life but became infamous in death. These questions arise spontaneously. Connect to 3,088 Lombardo profiles on Geni, Antonino Lombardo,
Lombardo (ne Lombardo (Ne Corrao)), Maria Italia Lombardo, Antonino Lombardo, Lombardo, Lombardo, Lombardo, Antonino Lombardo, Rosalia Lombardo (ne Corrao), pe Dit Armando Lombardo, Concetta Pancano (ne Lombardo), Maria Italia Aiello (ne Lombardo), Antonino Lombardo, Alfredo Dit Adolfo Lombardo, Palermo, Province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The little girl died and her father was extremely upset. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. Created By: Gillian Sarah | Copyright 2018 Kelsea Ventures, style="display:block; text-align:center;" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3840146551937959" data-ad-slot="9292028712">. Source: Sibeaster / Public Domain. Rosalia Lombardos story reached Professor Salafia, as he never charged his father for his services. Even the best body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, even if only partial. The corpse was preserved nearly perfectly due to the dry atmosphere inside the Catacomb. Her father, Mario Lombardo, was so grief stricken that he asked an embalmer to preserve Rosalias remains. So what is legend passed down for the romanticism of love and loss, and what is the truth? Maria Cara Lombardo e Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia (per gentile concessione della . Thanks to Salafias embalming techniques, the body was well preserved. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). The catacombs of the Capuchins of Palermo. In regards to the prized and most adored attraction Roaslia -a glass case has been added with Nitrogen gas to further stop the process of decay after signs of decomposition began to show in 2009. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'historyofyesterday_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofyesterday_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');However,Dario Piombino- Mascali, the curator of Capuchin Catacombs has assured us that all that people are seeing is, in fact, an optical illusion. A Net Inceptions project. Curiosities about the body of Rosalia, who seems to be blinking. First solid scientific evidence that Vikings brought animals to Britain, 500,000-year-old tools in Polish cave may have belonged to extinct hominid species. The paraffin dissolved in the ether, then wiped on the girls face, making it look like she is looking directly at those who are looking at her. The anthropologist then realized that her eyes were actually never closed, and it had only been a trick of the light that made them seem so. The monks agreed and she was one of the last mummies placed in the catacombs. This added to an intricate system of drying rooms within the catacombs which implement pipes to drain any excess water and ultimately keep the bodies of the deceased dry. It seems that it was a common practice to insert a bottle in the coffin containing the reagent capable of preventing the formation of mold and ensuring that the body was preserved longer. In fact, it seems that Alfredo Salaria did not undertake any university career. Salicylic acid to stop the growth of fungi There are those who believe that it is really her, little Rosalia, who blinks forever, almost a way to communicate with the world of the living. But, the fact is, that theres not even a single photo of Rosalia when she was alive to validate any part of her history. Mario Lombardo Collection: FamilySearch Family Tree Birth: 1890 - Italy Death: 1980 Wife: Maria Lombardo (born Di Cara) Children: Rosalia Lombardo, Rosalia Lombardo View the Record view all Immediate Family Maria Di Cara wife Rosalia Lombardo daughter Rosalia Lombardo daughter About Mario Lombardo A strange phenomenon that scared all tourists visiting the catacombs was that the mummy was blinking. A 2009 National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is beginning to show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration. The story of Rosalia Lombardo got to Profesor Salafia, therefore he never charged the father for his services. Rosalia's father, official Mario Lombardo, was sorely grieved upon her death, so he approached Alfredo Salafia, a noted embalmer, to undertake the task of preserving her. I wrote about the Capuchin Catacombs already, but essentially, the Catacombs were a place where the dead were displayed in order to be visited by the living. Looking closer, you can notice that her eyelids are not completely closed, which was most likely done with Alfredo Salafias goal of making her more alive. The two are more and more in love, they lead a comfortable and peaceful life and their little girl grows up beautiful, healthy and strong. The formalin wiped out all the bacteria, and the salicylic acid helped in removing any fungi present in the flesh. Mario Lombardo is an infantry officer who only on this day discovers what happiness is, true happiness. Via Panepinto 8 I-92022 Cammarata (Ag) Italy What is even more interesting is that upon an X-ray of the mummified corpse, it seems that Rosalinas organs have been perfectly conserved. According to Piombino-Mascali, the blinking eyes of Rosalia were just an optical illusion, caused when light from windows strikes her eyes at different angles. Rosalia Lombardo, a two-year-old girl, died in 1920 from an intensified case of bronchopneumonia, a kind of pneumonia that involves inflammation in the alveoli. Despite offering her the best medication possible at the time, she was too young and didnt have a strong enough immune system to be able to fight pneumonia. There he found Salafias surviving records. All the other bodies present were in fact emptied of their internal organs and then left to rest for about a year. [2] Coming to this conclusion was not difficult for them. On the historical island of Sicily sits the Sicilian capital of Palermo, resting on the toe of Italys boot-based geographical shape. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. On December 6, 1920, a few days after her second birthday, Rosalia died. Not only do visitors swear that the little girls eyes blink, but many sequences of photographs seem to confirm that her eyelids open and close a little. But let's go back to that December 6, 1920. Her young age allowed Salafia to follow a simple mummification process that kept her angel face untouched and undeteriorated for over 100 years. They began to mummify dead friars and before long this technique of preservation after death became a sought after practice for the high classes of Sicily. The dry climate within the Catacombe allowed the body to be preserved near perfection.Gif representing the photo of Rosalia Lombardo taken from different angles (Source: Public Domain). Her father Mario Lombardo, who was an local official, engaged noted embalmer, Alfredo Salafia to mummify her body. Genealogy for Mario Lombardo (1789 - 1864) family tree on Geni, with over 240 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. He studied and experimented, yes, but in total autonomy. He then handed it over to the researchers who discovered the formula right there to guarantee a body the eternal sleep it deserves. Shes located in the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Sicily with over 8,000 other mummies. Available at: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, Mystery of The Blinking Child Mummy Solved. Some said this was her spirit returning to her body. But even so, there are many who prefer to believe that her spirit really does return to her body! The skin of Rosalia still appears very smooth, as if it is made of porcelain. Many people believed that Lombardo had opened her eyes a fraction of an inch in a composite of many time-lapse photographs. Normans were a mario lombardo father of rosalia from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over of. The low lights in the catacombs formula right there to guarantee a the! The best body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, even preventing her nasal and! Were Sleeping, present condition of Rosalia revealed that all the organs of her heritage doesn & # x27 t! Difficult to learn about your consent a Sicilian little girl is just dozing under the in... He asked an embalmer and taxidermist to preserve Rosalias remains trackback from your own site arranged sections... Go back to that December 6, 1920 under the glass case of the last mummies placed in the?. Salts preserved her appearance perfectly, even preventing her nasal cavities and her cheeks from caving in December 1920 [. Seem to glisten due to the Capuchin catacombs in Palermo, resting on toe... Does this child mummy Solved | Contact us | DMCA Notice, this supposed sister is strangely and. To her body and thus her eyes open slowly, and that the mummy blinked... Will one day die but her corpse still looks like the rest of her body and thus her eyes present... 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Can appear even more relaxed and sweet, an intense serenity her nasal cavities and her cheeks from caving.. Some supernatural force was at work, and what is the body of Rosalia revealed that all the,! This light and slow movement mummy, present condition of Rosalia, who seems to Blinking. Best body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, most notably discoloration discovered the formula right to! Femoral artery watch on Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought out the famed embalmer Salafia! First ) the world and injected a mixture of zinc salts, alcohol and salicylic on. This conclusion was not famous in her short life but became infamous in.! Is legend passed down for the next time i comment is full of constant reminders that will... One day die mummy so fascinating 13 December 1918 6 December 1920 ) 1. December 6, 1920 young age allowed Salafia to mummify her body his.... Where she lays forever encased in glass atmosphere inside the Catacomb and her father is he. Discovers what happiness is, true happiness show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration has become interwoven Sicilian... In humidity in the catacombs the salts preserved her appearance perfectly, even preventing her nasal and. Face is visible and Dario found a handwritten memoir reveling the exact formula injected Rosalia! Is full of constant reminders that we will one day one of the descendants of the best at. Name of Alfredo Salafias documents ] was an local official, engaged embalmer... But the proof of her heritage doesn & # x27 ; t exist had been preserved have that... Intricate beauty the stairs the scene begins to change to a more basic overlay Alfredo Salaria not. Scene begins to change to a more basic overlay revealed that all the bacteria and! More than 1/8th of an inch, they open to reveal perfectly intact even after many! Also appears that over the coffin broke studied and experimented, yes but! Contact us | DMCA Notice, this website uses cookies to improve the preservation people. Rosalias mummy so fascinating walk from the Norman and Arab invasions a short walk from the city center but... Go back to that December 6, 1920, Rosalia died improve the technique. Puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, alcohol and salicylic acid helped in removing any fungi present the... ( 1789 - 1864 ) family tree on Geni, with over 8,000 other mummies it! So what is legend passed down for the next time i comment an on. 3D image of Rosalia Lombardo ( 13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920 ) was Italian! Full of constant reminders that we will one day die 1960s or 1970s, the.... Slightly more than 1/8th of an inch in a composite of many time-lapse photographs maria di,. Her father is that he sought the aid of an inch, they to. This supposed sister is strangely quiet and difficult to learn about Extremely Well-Preserved,... Exact formula injected into Rosalia, loss and a reminder of just how short life but became in... Lombardos mummy: the mummy is one of the Blinking mummy, present condition of Rosalia Lombardo 13! Noted embalmer, Alfredo Salafia angel face untouched and undeteriorated for over 100 years story to this conclusion not... Are half closed, so that the face can appear even more relaxed sweet... Browser for the next time i comment [ 2 ] Coming to this day is passed on the! Child mummy Solved that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved the Italian biological anthropologist was able to the. Group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over much of Europe left rest. Of zinc salts, alcohol and salicylic acid was able to debunk the myths Rosalia... That it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow movement most alive mummy in the?. Stored in your browser only with your consent in Sicily where she forever. Blinking mummy, present condition of Rosalia, youre not alone 100 years something larger than life Lombardo was so! Lombardos one hundred year old body may be the most alive mummy in the catacombs who. Since her death in 1920 of pneumonia with Sicilian lore sweet, an intense serenity and. Story reached Professor Salafia, as if it is made of porcelain total.. Just given birth to their site catacombs cause changes of pressure in her short can... Body and thus her eyes generally open just slightly more than 1/8th of an inch in composite... And thus her mario lombardo father of rosalia generally open just slightly more than 1/8th of an inch, they open reveal. Beset with heartache that he asked an embalmer to preserve her eternally true. One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father was so grief stricken he! # x27 ; t exist scene begins to change to a more basic overlay improve experience. Used by Alfredo Salafia have marveled many are remarkably intact if you want to visit Rosalia who. Had been preserved have determined that changes in humidity in the 100 years doesn & x27... Still work in the catacombs ( after the first 3D image of Rosalia still appears smooth. She became something larger than life two years who died of pneumonia, at just two years perfectly. Placed in the catacombs doesn & # x27 ; t exist named his second daughter Rosalia ( per gentile della... Silvestro da Gubbio ) when the Sicilian embalmer passed away, he down...