A strange phenomenon that scared all tourists visiting the catacombs was that the mummy was blinking. 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. 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. She lies in the coffin, glass-covered and on a wooden pedestal. The mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (Source: The Archaeology News Network), NASA is launching the DNA of some of the most prolific presidents in US history, The 1985 story of a bear that ate 77 pounds of Plabo Escobar's finest cocaine. Many others thought that the eyes might blink due to the temperature changes inside the catacomb, which made her eyelids contract and thus produced the blink-like effect. Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that Rosalia's parents requested that the child's body be entrusted to Alfredo Salaria, one of the most famous embalmers of the twentieth century, with the hope in this way of being able to pay homage to the memory of the little girl, torn all too young to life, with the hope of being able to stop the passage of time. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. The older we get, the more constant they appear. 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). The story of Rosalia is speculated, but unknown. It is so amazingly well-maintained that even X-rays show the internal organs to be intact. Read our disclosure policy for more info. They moved to other Italian cities and then also abroad, thus without having the opportunity to choose a cemetery where to bury their child. Create Biography . Get notified of the best booming posts weekly. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The little girl died and her father was extremely upset. 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. Coming to this conclusion was not difficult for them. Piombino-Mascali made this amazing discovery in 2009 after some of the workers in the museum moved her coffin, which caused her body to shift a little bit. One strange phenomenon that scared all the tourists visiting the catacombs was that the mummy was blinking or at least that is what most people saw. 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. 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. Why is he still there now that it's been over 100 years since his death? The corpse was preserved nearly perfectly due to the dry atmosphere inside the Catacomb. However, they are not perfectly closed, they are actually ajar, as if it were sleeping, yes, but on the verge of waking up. In fact, some say that Rosalia amplifies human nature in regards to the fascination of the unknown, specifically death and also with the immorality of an immortal body. 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. 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. Recently, the mummification techniques used by Salafia were discovered in a handwritten memoir of Salafias. Most visitors to her mummified remains say she is a miracle because she blinks even though she has been dead for a long time. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Zinc to petrify the body. (In Pics) Ten Extinct Animals which Survive only in Drawings. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Get notified of the best best booming posts weekly. 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. 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. Her father, Mario Lombardo wanted to know the exact cause of her death in order to "blame" someone. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The preserved body of Rosalia Lombardo, as photographed by National Geographic in 2009, has started to show indications of decomposition most notably discoloration. 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. Your access to this service has been limited. This shifting of her body allowed Piombino-Mascali to see her eyelids from a new angle. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could "blame" someone. [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. It is a location rich in history between Europe and Africa on the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The formula consisted of formalin, zinc salts, alcohol, salicylic acid, and glycerin. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). 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. Rosalia Lombardo born on December 13, 1918, was a Sicilian kid that died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920 from the Spanish flu. Rosalia died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920. 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. 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. How did you succeed in this feat? The body was so amazingly preserved that Rosalias body is intact over 100 years later. It is reasonable to believe that the embalmer made a choice of this type to pay homage to this young missing soul, to ensure that this body could give the appearance of life. Mario Lombardo, Rosalia's father, was determined to find out the exact cause of her death in order to assign blame. The zinc sulfate was used to petrify the body. There he found Salafias surviving records. Further studies however, including time-lapse photos by National Geographic, show that Rosalia does in fact blink several times an hour! Her grieving father couldn't settle . These blue eyes, like the rest of her body, are remarkably intact. Nobody can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good that it remains so. The first 3D image of Rosalia revealed that all the organs of her body are perfectly intact even after so many decades. 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 Lombardo is known by many names; The Worlds Most Beautiful Mummy, Sleeping Beauty, The Girl In The Glass Coffin and of course: The Best Preserved Mummy In The World. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 4 million WordPress sites. Your email address will not be published. The body was beautifully preserved thanks to Salafias embalming procedures. One of the properties that makes Rosalia such a beautiful mummy is the embalming process that was used to preserve her. Genealogy profile for Mario Lombardo. The Normans were a group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over much of Europe. This may just be one of the best-preserved mummies in the world, however, it is only 100 years old so it should not be the greatest wow factor. The Italian biological anthropologist was able to debunk the myths about Rosalia Lombardo. They were famed for their Romanesque architecture, characterized by semi-circular arches. (Sibeaster / Wikimedia Commons). Rosalia Lombardo - The Blinking Mummy . You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence. Salicylic acid to stop the growth of fungi Source: Multidetector CT investigation of the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (19181920): https://www.academia.edu/4992159/Multidetector_CT_investigation_of_ Geni requires JavaScript! Rosalia captures the hearts of thousands each year. 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. Rosalia's body was one of the last to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. The salts preserved her appearance perfectly, even preventing her nasal cavities and her cheeks from caving in. Maybe he finished middle school, nothing more. 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. 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. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. 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">. While Rosalia was mostly kept intact during embalming, her blood was drained and replaced by the magical formula used by Alfredo. Rosalia Lombardos Xray By National Geographic. The eyes are half closed, so that the face can appear even more relaxed and sweet, an intense serenity. MYSTERIESRUNSOLVED & MRU MEDIA, 2019-2022. Rosalia is surrounded by many other bodies, over 8000, who sleep their eternal sleep in the Catacombs of the Capuchins. Rosalia Lombardo in her glass coffin. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Impossible to answer these questions. It is thanks to all of this that little Rosalia's body has reached us intact. 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. On December 6, 1920, a few days after her second birthday, Rosalia died. Suddenly, however, fate plays a mocking trick on the couple. all right reserved. Later it became part of the Roman and Arab Empires before unifying with the modern-day Kingdom of Italy in 1861. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But why the bottle under Rosalia's head is completely empty remains an inexplicable mystery. [9] In response to speculation about her moving eyelids, Piombino-Mascali stated that "It's an optical illusion produced by the light that filters through the side windows, which during the day is subject to change [her eyes] are not completely closed, and indeed they have never been". One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father is that he supposedly named his second daughter Rosalia (after the first). For after all, the dead have no need for grand decorations in this realm they leave behind. 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. Why is there an Elephant Buried Beneath the Vatican. After 7 months from the birth of the child they also decide to get married, aware that they need to take this step in order to guarantee serenity and tranquility for their family. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was distraught by her death and asked embalmer Alfredo Salafia to preserve her remains. Her father, Mario Lombardo, was so grief stricken that he asked an embalmer to preserve Rosalias remains. It seems that it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow movement. 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. 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. Biblio data only below the dashed line. Rosalias preserved body came out looking like the most alive mummy in the world. The latter was a Sicilian little girl born in 1918 and dead in 1920 of pneumonia, at just two years. Some believed that some supernatural force was at work, and that the mummy actually blinked. Alfredo Salafia was considered the best as he had a lot of experience preserving corpses. 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. VAT No. Rosalia's face has very sweet features, with the plump cheeks of a two-year-old girl, delicately framed by fair hair. This mix of substances was injected directly through an incision in the femoral artery. 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. However, once down the stairs the scene begins to change to a more basic overlay. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920) was an Italian child who died of pneumonia, resulting from the Spanish flu, one week shy of her second birthday. But even so, there are many who prefer to believe that her spirit really does return to her body! Her curly blonde hair and a ribbon on it make her look like she is just sleeping. 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. She lays near THOUSANDS of preserved humans in the 4 corridors beneath the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to see. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Indeed, she is nicknamed the sleeping beauty. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could blame someone. Even though mummification is still practised in some distant cultures, it is uncommon in the Western world. This, combined with the light which is filtrated in different ways during the day through the windows of the catacombs makes the girls eyes look like they are open.A team of researchers performing X-ray on Rosalias body (Source:National Geographic)This X-ray clearly shows Rosalias arms and feet (Source:National Geographic)The X-ray of Rosalia showed her brain and liver intact. Agatha Christies Disappearance: Amnesia, Suicide, or Despair? Avid Writer with invaluable knowledge of Humanity! 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. Mario Lombardo refused to bury her daughter, claiming that losing his son had left him distraught. Who is right? In short, Rosalia is a 98 year old mummy. Palermo is a city with amazing architecture which much of its designs remaining from the Norman and Arab invasions. Upcoming historian with over 30 million views online. A tuft of hair is also held in place by a yellow bow. Rosalia died due to pneumonia in a region which becomes extremely cold in the winter months. In 2009, an MRI scan of the little girl was performed, to see the state of preservation of the interior of the body. She looks like a baby peacefully taking a nap, and although a blanket is placed over the coffin, the face is visible. Their families would continue to fund the monks who cared for the deceased for example with new clothes. 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. But Salafia did something different. It is possible that contact with the air before its replacement may have resulted in damage. You will then receive an email that helps you regain access. The heartbroken father of Rosalia sought the help of an embalmer named Alfredo Salafia to preserve his childs body. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. But, the fact is, that theres not even a single photo of Rosalia when she was alive to validate any part of her history. Rosalia Lombardo. Salafia recorded the chemicals he injected into Rosalias body: formalin, zinc salts, alcohol, salicylic acid, and glycerin., Formalin (formaldehyde and water) eliminates bacteria Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. A 2009 National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is beginning to show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration. 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. These questions arise spontaneously. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The eyes slightly open and reveal the intact blue irises. The problem at the time, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved. Required fields are marked *. 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. Powered by WordPress and Mystique theme by digitalnature | RSS Feeds, Working at the Crossroads of Life and Death, When the Public Viewing of a Mutilated Body is a Statement: The Funeral of Emmett Till. 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. Within Palermo, the catacombs are a short walk from the city center, but public transportation is also available. He made a small puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, formalin, glycerin, and salicylic acid. He used many modern and original techniques to mummify young Rosalia to perfection. What is even more interesting is that upon an X-ray of the mummified corpse, it seems that Rosalinas organs have been perfectly conserved. In 1920, a little girl known as Rosalia Lombardo died at the age of two due to an aggravated case of pneumonia. General Mario Lombardo, who is said to have been so grief-stricken when she died that he refused to bury her and instead chose to have her body preserved. Receive an email that helps you regain access a more basic overlay,! City with amazing architecture which much of Europe in Drawings Salafia were in! Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and although a blanket is placed the... Us intact preserved body came out looking like the rest of her body allowed Piombino-Mascali to see her eyelids a... 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