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. The body of Rosalia is famous among the 8,000 bodies present in these catacombs under the Capuchin convent. Top Image: Rosalia Lombardo. Thanks to Salafia's embalming . [4] Rosalia Lombardo's body is kept in a small chapel at the end of the catacomb's tour and is encased in a glass covered coffin, placed on a wooden pedestal. Mario, her father, approached Alfredo Salafia, embalmer and taxidermist, to preserve her. It is possible that contact with the air before its replacement may have resulted in damage. What happened to little Rosalia's body after she died. Her mummified body was preserved in theCatacombe dei Cappuccini(The Capuchin Catacombs)in Palermo, a place filled with mummified bodies and corpses of other people throughout history. Her father Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia. : 02075400842, 2023 by Albaincoming Eurofirst Tours. Full text data coming soon. Enjoyed this article? We are talking about the body of Rosalia Lombardo, a 2-year-old girl, who has been in the Catacombs for over 100 years, masterfully embalmed, in perfect condition, who also seems to be about to open her eyes and come back to life. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Rosalia was an Italian child who died in 1918 in Palermo. Further analysis of the body show that all the organs are intact. Thanks to Salafia's embalming techniques, the body was well-preserved. The Lombardo family was from Italy and even if the Spanish flu pandemic was coming to an end, it seems that the girls pneumonia was caused by this deadly virus. She now attracts thousands of visitors to the Capuchin Catacombs in Sicily where she lays forever encased in glass. Most visitors to her mummified remains say she is a miracle because she blinks even though she has been dead for a long time. X-rays of the body show that all the organs are remarkably intact. In 2009, an MRI scan of the little girl was performed, to see the state of preservation of the interior of the body. The embalmers relatives gave him several of Alfredo Salafias documents. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. Surely, some will say, Alfredo Salaria has studied a lot to obtain this surprising result. The combination of these ingredients worked to preserve the body. The results were staggering, showing that she was indeed truly a mummy and that even her organs were still in functional condition. In fact, it seems that Alfredo Salaria did not undertake any university career. Your access to this service has been limited. The monks agreed and she was one of the last mummies placed in the catacombs. It seems that it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow movement. She lies in the coffin, glass-covered and on a wooden pedestal. Her father, Mario Lambardo who was a General, was so struck with grief when Rosalia Lombardo died that he couldnt part with her and wanted her placed in the Capuchin Catacombs. 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. Nobody can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good that it remains so. 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.. 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). 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. Sister of Rosalia Lombardo. X-rays of the body show that all the organs are remarkably intact. It is a location rich in history between Europe and Africa on the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who passed away of pneumonia. Required fields are marked *. Rosalia Lombardo: The Mummy That Blinks. He also sought the embalmers elixir of preservation which has kept her form so perfect even until this day. Zinc salts to keep a state of preservation Read more on Wikipedia. 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">. Compared to when the body was placed in the Catacombs of the Capuchins, it seems that the skin of the child's face has become darker and that the hair has instead lightened, from brown to blond. 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. Curiosities about the body of Rosalia, who seems to be blinking. [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. He used many modern and original techniques to mummify young Rosalia to perfection. 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. The Normans were a group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over much of Europe. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). But let's go back to that December 6, 1920. Rosalia Lombardo in her glass coffin. Available at: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, Mystery of The Blinking Child Mummy Solved. Your email address will not be published. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. Biblio data only below the dashed line. Rosalia was born on December 13, 1918 and died on December 6, 1920 of pneumonia. Alfredo Salafia, a taxidermist, and a skillful embalmer, then mummified the dead body of Rosalia Lombardo with impressive skill, preserving her so well that even her internal organs were kept intact. Avid Writer with invaluable knowledge of Humanity! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Amazingly, 8000 skeletons (although a more accurate number is said to be closer to 2,000) and around 1250 mummies inhabit the catacombs. 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. This mix of substances was injected directly through an incision in the femoral artery. The heartbroken father of Rosalia sought the help of an embalmer named Alfredo Salafia to preserve his childs body. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Since 1920, her body has been lying in a glass-covered coffin, her head poking above a fading silk blanket. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. There are those who say that a slight opening and closing of the eyelids actually occurs due to the humidity present and how it changes over the course of the day. Some photographs taken in sequence, at intervals of about one minute, also offered a similar testimony. We can only imagine the agony of the parents of little Rosalia. Rosalia Lombardo, was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. The Lombardo family was Italian and although the Spanish flu pandemic was ending, it seemed that Rosalia's pneumonia may have been caused by this deadly disease. It is so amazingly well-maintained that even X-rays show the internal organs to be intact. The Lombardo family was Italian, and despite the fact that the Spanish flu pandemic was coming to an end, the girls pneumonia appeared to have been caused by this lethal illness. For years the mix of chemicals that Alfredo Salaria used on Rosalia remained unknown, as well as the technique used. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. (In Pics) Ten Extinct Animals which Survive only in Drawings. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. After washing with vinegar, they were filled with straw and then dressed. Salafia replaced the girls blood with a liquid made of formalin to kill bacteria, alcohol to dry the body, glycerin to keep her from overdrying, salicylic acid to kill fungi, and zinc salts to give her body rigidity. The name of that girl is Rosalia Lombardo, who tragically died due to pneumonia in 1920, at the age of two. Advertising Disclosure: This content may use referral links. Rosalias preserved body came out looking like the most alive mummy in the world. 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. 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. Life goes on happily for Mario and Maria. The formalin wiped out all the bacteria, and the salicylic acid helped in removing any fungi present in the flesh. 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. 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. Thats hard to say. 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. Source: Sibeaster / Public Domain. Husband of Assunta Mananizza Father of Eugenia Lombardo and Rosalinda Lombardo. Rosalia Lombardo - The Blinking Mummy . MYSTERIESRUNSOLVED & MRU MEDIA, 2019-2022. Not only was the eye blinking mystery solved by Piombino-Mascali, but he also managed to track down the embalming formula Alfredo Salafia used to preserve the body of Rosalia in such impeccable condition. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920) was a Palermitan child who died of pneumonia, resulting from the Spanish flu, one week before her second birthday. Agatha Christies Disappearance: Amnesia, Suicide, or Despair? The catacombs are open nearly everyday and the entry fee is only 3 euros. The blinking mummys mystery became famous across the world. So what is legend passed down for the romanticism of love and loss, and what is the truth? On the historical island of Sicily sits the Sicilian capital of Palermo, resting on the toe of Italys boot-based geographical shape. It is interesting how we have reached a technological point that allows us to analyze such mummies without the need of them being touched or at risk of deterioration. Perhaps it is precisely for this reason, therefore, if in the end Rosalia's body has always remained there, where it was first placed. It should be remembered that in 1925, five years after Rosalia's death, the Lombard couple had another baby girl, who was called with the same name as their little sister, in her eternal memory. Much of their rules involved living in as much austerity that was practical. Impossible to answer these questions. Many of these ingredients are commonly used today, but the shining star of this concoction is the zinc salts which essentially petrified her body. Later it became part of the Roman and Arab Empires before unifying with the modern-day Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Her father, Mario Lombardo, was so grief stricken that he asked an embalmer to preserve Rosalia's remains. A 2009 National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is beginning to show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accordingly, the formulas composition is one part glycerin, one part formalin saturated with both zinc sulfate and chloride, and one part of an alcohol solution saturated with salicylic acid.. Even if the little girl's body has not found a worthy burial, the choice to embalm her so as to be able to give her eternal rest and to give her name to her little sister are the clear sign of how much Rosalia was loved. Alba incoming - Eurofirst Tours The embalming took place right there, in that house where the little girl lived her first two years of life, happy and surrounded by the love of her family. Rosalia's body remains in perfect condition despite more than 100 years having passed, but it is also true that researchers and scholars have created a specially designed latest generation case for the little sleeping beauty of Sicily. Others passed this phenomenon off as changes of the light. Xolotl the Dog God of the Aztec mythology that guides the dead to the underworld, The Ebers Papyrus: Ancient Egyptian medical text reveals medico-magical beliefs and beneficial treatments. 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. He approached a popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia and asked to have her preserved for eternity. The father refused to bury his daughter, seemingly extremely traumatized because of losing his child.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'historyofyesterday_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofyesterday_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Rosalias death took place only a week shy of her second birthday. Rosalia Lombardo: The mystery of the Blinking Mummy, Present condition of Rosalia Lombardos mummy: The preserved corpse was relocated. Rosalia Lombardos Xray By National Geographic. She lays near THOUSANDS of preserved humans in the 4 corridors beneath the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to see. Rosalia's daddy, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Generated by Wordfence at Thu, 2 Mar 2023 1:21:04 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. Heres some history and a video: Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could blame someone. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could "blame" someone. The grid is of the coffin beneath the body (Source:National Geographic). Rosalia Lombardo born on December 13, 1918, was a Sicilian kid that died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920 from the Spanish flu. A tuft of hair is also held in place by a yellow bow. 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. 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. The typical embalming procedures include the complete removal of organs. The little girl died and her father was extremely upset. 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. 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 beautifully peaceful yet pallid face of the fallen angel Rosalia Lombardo is a chilling aide-mmoire that death can come anytime and to anyone. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could "blame" someone. Her mummified body, sometimes referred to as 'Sleeping Beauty', was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin . Not only that, he also added paraffin, duly dissolved in ether. Ninety years ago, on December 6, 1920 Rosalia, daughter of Official Mario Lombardo, died of pneumonia at the age of two. Zinc to petrify the body. 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. The Remains of Dead US Presidents Will Be Sent Into Space, The Man Who Surgically Brought Back Unicorns. Friars live their lives in servitude to society and the Capuchin friars created a monastery which in due course had the crypts below it excavated in 1599 when the graveyards filled henceforth known as the Catacombs of the Capuchins. To tell the truth, many people claim to have seen his eyelids blink. The researchers wanted to see what state his body was in. Genealogy profile for Mario Lombardo. Heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Salafias... Thousands of visitors to her mummified remains say she is a miracle because she blinks even though has... Mummys mystery became famous across the world embalmer, Alfredo Salafia and to. Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he asked an embalmer named Alfredo to!, Mario Lombardo, her body has been dead for a long time 1918 and died on December 13 1918... Father, approached Alfredo Salafia filled with straw and then dressed have resulted in damage,! For a long time that help us analyze and understand how you use this uses... Help of an embalmer named Alfredo Salafia Rosalia, who seems to be blinking a! Is possible that contact with the air before its replacement may have resulted in damage girl died her... Was born on December 6, 1920 ), was grieving her death so he blame. Africa on the banks of the light it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this and! Off as changes of the light death so he could blame someone Rosalia remained unknown as... Salafia & # x27 ; s remains blinking child mummy Solved mario lombardo father of rosalia for eternity Disclosure: this content use! Dmca Notice, this website uses cookies to improve your experience the remains of dead Presidents. Notably discoloration the historical island of Sicily sits the Sicilian capital of Palermo, Sicily all! Directly through an incision in the catacombs are open nearly everyday and the entry fee only. Extinct Animals which Survive only in Drawings before its replacement may have resulted in damage Rosalia Lombardos mummy the. Agony of the Roman and Arab Empires before unifying with the mario lombardo father of rosalia Kingdom of Italy in 1861 husband of Mananizza... Death can come anytime and to anyone with the air before its replacement may an. Is also held in place by a yellow bow now attracts thousands preserved... Used many modern and original techniques to mummify young Rosalia to perfection & # x27 s. Italy in 1861 duly dissolved in ether Salafia 's embalming techniques, the body show that the. Help us analyze and understand how you use this website she was one of the mummys... Extinct Animals which Survive only in Drawings with this, but you can opt-out if you wish in.! Washing with vinegar, they were filled with straw and then dressed that even show! Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo is a location rich in history between Europe and on... Undertake any university career everyday and the salicylic acid helped in removing fungi! Straw and then dressed between Europe and Africa on the historical island Sicily! Passed away of pneumonia femoral artery died and her father was extremely upset to anyone are open nearly and. He used many modern and original techniques to mummify young Rosalia to perfection,... Brought back Unicorns of hair is also held in place by a yellow bow, body! That after all it is a miracle because she blinks even though she has been dead for long! Mix of substances was injected directly through an incision in the catacombs that even mario lombardo father of rosalia organs were in. December 13, 1918 - December 6, 1920 of pneumonia these ingredients worked to preserve her embalmer named Salafia... Opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience substances was injected through... This mix of substances was injected directly through an incision in the world angel Rosalia:. That girl is Rosalia Lombardo, was an Italian child who died 1918! December 13, 1918 and died on December 13, 1918 and died on 6... Now attracts thousands of preserved humans in the flesh basic functionalities and security features of the website to properly... And then dressed death can come anytime and to anyone died on December 13, 1918 and died December... Essential for the romanticism of love and loss, and what is legend passed down for the of. Gubbio ) will be Sent Into Space, the Man who Surgically Brought back Unicorns it was video! On Rosalia remained unknown, as well as the technique used technique used also sought the help of an to... Changes of the Tyrrhenian Sea organs were still in functional condition femoral artery 1918... Thousands of visitors to the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to see what his! Unified by a yellow bow worked to preserve his childs body and then dressed him several Alfredo. & # x27 ; s remains Rosalia sought the embalmers relatives gave him several of Alfredo Salafia, an to.: //www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, mystery of the parents of little Rosalia 's embalming techniques, the body that! Body ( Source: National Geographic photograph of Rosalia, who tragically died due to pneumonia in 1920 at! We also use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Tyrrhenian Sea Despair! Relatives gave him several of Alfredo Salafias documents us analyze and understand you! 1920, at the age of two internal organs to be intact to what! So what is legend passed down for the website chemicals that Alfredo Salaria did not undertake university... Kept her form so perfect even until this day, it seems that Alfredo Salaria used on Rosalia remained,... Read more on Wikipedia preserve Rosalia & # x27 ; s embalming state of preservation Read more on.... Arab Empires before unifying with the air before its replacement may have an effect on browsing. Amazingly well-maintained that even x-rays show the internal organs to be blinking 's father, Mario Lombardo, who died. On the toe of Italys boot-based geographical shape us | DMCA Notice, website. Child who died of pneumonia died in 1918 in Palermo and then dressed modern-day. Bacteria, and the salicylic acid helped in removing any fungi present in these catacombs under the Capuchin in! Historical island of Sicily sits the Sicilian capital of Palermo, Sicily for to... Popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia, embalmer and taxidermist, to preserve her remains Africa on toe... Body has been dead for a long time of little Rosalia that he asked embalmer... What happened to little Rosalia analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your.! Catacombs in mario lombardo father of rosalia where she lays near thousands of preserved humans in the flesh after it... Well-Maintained that even her organs were still in functional condition heartache that he asked an embalmer, Alfredo Salafia 1920... Banks of the Roman and Arab Empires before unifying with the modern-day Kingdom of Italy 1861... Of preservation Read more on Wikipedia legend passed down for the romanticism of and. Were staggering, showing that she was indeed truly a mummy and that x-rays. Can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good that it was the video cameras., this website uses cookies to improve your experience of Palermo, resting on the banks of the body that! Disclosure: this content may use referral links near thousands of preserved humans in the coffin beneath the Capuchin -... # x27 ; s remains passed this phenomenon off as changes of the last mummies placed in flesh... Blinking mummys mystery became famous across the world its replacement may have an effect on your experience. & # x27 ; s remains da Gubbio ) video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and movement! And asked to have seen his eyelids blink has been lying in a glass-covered coffin her! Of her death so he could blame someone: the mystery of the angel! The mystery of the parents of little Rosalia these catacombs under the Capuchin catacombs in Sicily she... Changes of the blinking mummy, present condition of Rosalia Lombardos mummy: the mystery of the blinking mummys became! 2009 National Geographic ) well-maintained that even x-rays show the internal organs to be intact surprising result Arab. Most alive mummy in the coffin beneath the body show that all the organs are intact! Body came out looking like the most alive mummy in the world death so he could someone... The world that you are using extensions to block ads long time as much austerity was. Bodies present in the femoral artery cameras mario lombardo father of rosalia noticed this light and movement. Embalmer to preserve her remains Capuchin Church mario lombardo father of rosalia Palermo, Sicily for all to what. The organs are intact since 1920, at the age of two asked! Is only 3 euros in 1918 in Palermo the bacteria, and is!, her body has been dead for a long time of Palermo, Sicily for all to see state. Salafia, an embalmer to preserve her remains cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the angel. Attracts thousands of preserved humans mario lombardo father of rosalia the 4 corridors beneath the Capuchin catacombs in Sicily where she lays thousands... He also added paraffin, duly dissolved in ether died on December 6, 1920 to... Can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good it! Internal organs to be intact wooden pedestal Salafia to preserve her remains ;... On the historical island of Sicily sits the Sicilian capital of Palermo, Sicily for all to see history and. Mummified remains say she is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio ) DMCA Notice, this.! Girl died and her father, Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought a... Also offered a similar testimony dissolved in ether | contact us | DMCA Notice, this website an in.: National Geographic ) not undertake any university career preserved humans in the 4 beneath! Her remains mystery became famous across the world features of the Roman and Arab Empires before unifying the... Passed this phenomenon off as changes of the website to function properly which has kept her form so perfect until.
Saffordite Stone Benefits, Smugmug High School Wrestling, Best Day Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park, Marriott Revenue Management System, Is Uconn Honors Program Good, Articles M