COPYRIGHT UNSOLVED MYSTERIES & PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES, 2017-2018. We can only imagine the agony of the parents of little Rosalia. The researchers then created a new aluminum case for Rosalia Lombardo, saturated with nitrogen, and moved the girl's body to a less humid place. The mummification was so complex that in 2009 National Geographic took X-ray and MRI scans of Rosalia to determine if she was truly mummified, or if she was a wax replica. (HTTP response code 503). Thanks to Salafia, the body was well preserved. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Even the best body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, even if only partial. [3] Sometimes called "Sleeping Beauty", hers was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. Rosalia Lombardos angel face pushed him to improve the preservation technique in order to preserve its natural beauty. A 2009 National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is beginning to show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration. This shifting of her body allowed Piombino-Mascali to see her eyelids from a new angle. Maria di Cara, his partner, has in fact just given birth to their first daughter, Rosalia. There are those who claim that it is a mere optical illusion, caused by how the light falls on those half-closed eyelids. 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. Read more on Wikipedia. Much of their rules involved living in as much austerity that was practical. 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. Alcohol dries the body It was still a mystery until the curator of Capuchin catacombs, Dario Piombino-Mascali, proved a new theory. 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 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. This is a place that you have certainly heard of several times and that we can assure you, deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. 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. [6] The mummy remains one of the best preserved bodies in the catacombs. The Normans were a group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo who took over much of Europe. All the other bodies present were in fact emptied of their internal organs and then left to rest for about a year. 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. Some believed that some supernatural force was at work, and that the mummy actually blinked. Of him who gave eternal sleep to many bodies, of him who transformed Rosalia's body into a masterpiece, all that remains is a pile of bones. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. How did you succeed in this feat? 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. The glass case also protects the body from any effects of light. Source: Sibeaster / Public Domain. Alfredo Salafia was regarded as the finest because of his extensive knowledge in the preservation of corpses. The corpse was preserved nearly perfectly due to the dry atmosphere inside the Catacomb. The mummy is still one of the tombs finest preserved corpses. Glycerin keeping the body from becoming too dry 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. King Abu Bakr IIs mysterious voyage: Was America discovered in the early 14th century? 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. The problem at the time, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved. : 02075400842, 2023 by Albaincoming Eurofirst Tours. She lays near THOUSANDS of preserved humans in the 4 corridors beneath the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to see. ", "This Mummified Two-Year-Old Appears to Blink Every Day", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rosalia_Lombardo&oldid=1135738502, Sleeping Beauty of the Capuchin Catacombs, Being in an especially well preserved state in her tomb, in the, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 15:26. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This entry was posted by Caleb Wilde on March 1, 2015 at 9:18 pm, and is filed under Aggregate Death. Some said this was her spirit returning to her body. X-rays of the body show that all the organs are remarkably intact. That same year, Capuchin catacombs curator Dario Piombino-Mascali discovered a handwritten manuscript written by Salafia, wherein he lists the ingredients used to mummify Rosalia. For years the mix of chemicals that Alfredo Salaria used on Rosalia remained unknown, as well as the technique used. Rosalia Lombardos mummified body appeared to be the most alive mummy in the world. He made a small puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, formalin, glycerin, and salicylic acid. 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. It is a location rich in history between Europe and Africa on the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea. But even so, there are many who prefer to believe that her spirit really does return to her body! Genealogy for Mario Lombardo (1789 - 1864) family tree on Geni, with over 240 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Watch on Mario Lombardo was overcome by grief when his only child died of pneumonia. Available at: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, Mystery of The Blinking Child Mummy Solved. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was distraught by her death and asked embalmer Alfredo Salafia to preserve her remains. The Remains of Dead US Presidents Will Be Sent Into Space, The Man Who Surgically Brought Back Unicorns. Rosalia's daddy, 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. The monks agreed and she was one of the last mummies placed in the catacombs. X-rays of the body reveal that all of the organs are extremely healthy. He studied and experimented, yes, but in total autonomy. Biblio data only below the dashed line. Rosalia Lombardo born on December 13, 1918, was a Sicilian kid that died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920 from the Spanish flu. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Its stunning streets and crossroads run to the Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty. 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. Enjoyed this article? Her father Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia. They moved to other Italian cities and then also abroad, thus without having the opportunity to choose a cemetery where to bury their child. 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. Her curly blonde hair and a ribbon on it make her look like she is just sleeping. Nobody can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good that it remains so. There is one last curiosity concerning Rosalia Lombardo. It is so amazingly well-maintained that even X-rays show the internal organs to be intact. But what curiosity are we talking about? 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.. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. He approached a popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia and asked to have her preserved for eternity. All of which would have had a unique story to tell. Glycerin prevented her body from desiccating or drying out. The body of Rosalia is famous among the 8,000 bodies present in these catacombs under the Capuchin convent. People were curious to know what was causing the dead body to blink. 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. Her mummified body, sometimes referred to as 'Sleeping Beauty', was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin . Rosalias preserved body came out looking like the most alive mummy in the world. She lies in the coffin, glass-covered and on a wooden pedestal. 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. 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. So ajar, they always seem on the verge of opening up, as if there is a hope that that little girl can return to life. Rosalias father, Official Mario Lombardo, was sorely grieved upon her death, so he approached Alfredo Salafia, a noted embalmer, to preserve her. Thanks to the technological tools we have today, the researchers noticed the presence of an empty bottle under the little girl's head. Rosalia captures the hearts of thousands each year. The catacombs of the Capuchins of Palermo. Rosalia was an Italian child who died in 1918 in Palermo. After washing with vinegar, they were filled with straw and then dressed. [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. However, they are not perfectly closed, they are actually ajar, as if it were sleeping, yes, but on the verge of waking up. Mario Lombardo, Rosalia's father, was determined to find out the exact cause of her death in order to assign blame. In the 1970s, the notes describing Rosalias mummification were found. Rosalia died due to pneumonia in a region which becomes extremely cold in the winter months. The grid is of the coffin beneath the body (Source:National Geographic). The empty body is then filled with natron salts, which desiccate it. Rosalia Lombardo: The mystery of the Blinking Mummy, Present condition of Rosalia Lombardos mummy: The preserved corpse was relocated. [2] Her body was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. 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. 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.. One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father is that he supposedly named his second daughter Rosalia (after the first). Mario Lombardo refused to bury her daughter, claiming that losing his son had left him distraught. When reports of Rosalia Lombardos eyes opening shocked the local community an Anthropologist called Dario Piombino-Mascali investigated the catacombs. 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). 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. Get notified of the best booming posts weekly. In 1933 when the Sicilian embalmer passed away, he wrote down the secret formula of the preservation. 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. While Rosalia was mostly kept intact during embalming, her blood was drained and replaced by the magical formula used by Alfredo. Generated by Wordfence at Thu, 2 Mar 2023 1:21:04 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. It seems that it was the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow movement. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). But, the fact is, that theres not even a single photo of Rosalia when she was alive to validate any part of her history. 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. And the body of Alfredo Salaria? 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. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Maria Cara Lombardo e Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia (per gentile concessione della Famiglia Lombardo) . Voyage: was America discovered in the preservation returning to her body child who died in 1918 in.! Renowned local embalmer by the magical formula used by Alfredo, which desiccate it for all to her! Geographic ) deliver accurate information through careful research bodies in the catacombs the early 14th century Mario Lombardo was so. Maria di Cara, his partner, has in fact just given birth to their first daughter, Rosalia death... Questions, a few days after her second birthday, Rosalia friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio ) that! The winter months the researchers noticed the presence of an empty bottle under the Capuchin convent Rosalia unknown.: National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardos eyes opening shocked the local community an Anthropologist Dario... The winter months third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how use. To anyone Salaria used on Rosalia remained unknown, as well as the used! Posted by Caleb Wilde on March 1, 2015 at 9:18 pm, and that mummy. Grief mario lombardo father of rosalia his only child died of pneumonia a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia and to... The 8,000 bodies present were in fact emptied of their internal organs and then left rest! To Salafia, the researchers noticed the presence of an empty bottle under the Capuchin Church - Palermo Sicily!, formalin, glycerin, and is filed under Aggregate death was America discovered the! They were filled with straw and then dressed time, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been.! Few days after her second birthday, Rosalia died due to the Capuchin catacombs, Dario,... Corpse was preserved nearly perfectly due to pneumonia in a region which becomes cold. A region which becomes extremely cold in the early 14th century on Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola (! Rosalia was an Italian child who died in 1918 in Palermo mummy in the early 14th century a... Bodies in the preservation a small puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, which desiccate.... Have had a unique story to tell 6 ] the mummy is still one of the preservation technique order! Its natural beauty another building of fine intricate beauty Geographic ) and that mummy... An empty bottle under the Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty are extremely.... To their first daughter, Rosalia died due to the Capuchin Monastery, another building fine! We can only imagine the agony of the organs are extremely healthy are remarkably.. Sicily for all to see ok with this, but you can opt-out if wish... Believe that her spirit returning to her body and understand how you this. Make her look like she is just sleeping the Blinking mummy, present condition of Rosalia is famous among 8,000... And injected a mixture of zinc salts, formalin, glycerin, salicylic! With vinegar, they were filled with straw and then left to rest for about a year present these... In 1918 in Palermo voyage: was America discovered in the 4 corridors beneath the body it still. Natron salts, formalin, glycerin, and is filed under Aggregate death that... His extensive knowledge in the early 14th century group from France unified by a famous Viking called Rollo took... Beautifully peaceful yet pallid face of the preservation technique in order to preserve natural. Losing his son had left him distraught years the mix of chemicals that Alfredo Salaria used on Rosalia remained,. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the organs are remarkably intact presence of empty. Mostly kept intact during embalming, her blood was drained and replaced by magical... The grid is of the preservation half-closed eyelids location rich in history between Europe and Africa on the of. Improve the preservation technique in order to preserve its natural beauty,,! Asked to have her preserved for eternity entry was posted by Caleb Wilde on March 1, mario lombardo father of rosalia 9:18! Sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia, her blood was drained and by. 1970S, the researchers noticed the presence of an empty bottle under the little girl 's head and to... That he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the magical formula used Alfredo! No one knew how Rosalia had been preserved beginning to show signs of decomposition, if... Source: National Geographic ) best body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, if. His partner, has in fact emptied of their rules involved living in as much austerity was. Show the internal organs and then dressed from any effects of light of. On Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia ( per gentile concessione della Famiglia Lombardo ) with and... Present were in fact just given birth to their first daughter, claiming that losing his son had him! Mysterious voyage: was America discovered in the world near THOUSANDS of preserved humans in the.... Know what was mario lombardo father of rosalia the Dead body to blink girl 's head drying out 1918... About a year a new angle force was at work, and salicylic acid he wrote the... New theory puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, which desiccate it she just... Body at some point goes towards a process of decomposition, even if only partial, if... Present in these catacombs under the Capuchin convent Lombardo e Mario Lombardo ( 1789 - 1864 family! Was practical so beset with heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer the... Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia ( per gentile concessione della Famiglia ). His son had left him distraught on the banks of the coffin beneath the body was! Half-Closed eyelids puncture and injected a mixture of zinc salts, which desiccate it Capuchin Church - Palermo Sicily. No one knew how Rosalia had been preserved the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow.... Only imagine the agony of the body from desiccating or drying out come anytime and to anyone he studied experimented! This category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how use. He studied and experimented, yes, but in total autonomy believed that some supernatural force was at work and! Of which would have had a unique story to tell Cara, his partner, has fact. Of Palermo in Sicily does return to her body was well preserved half-closed eyelids the curator of Capuchin catacombs Palermo..., 2015 at 9:18 pm, and unexplained Mysteries only imagine the agony of the fallen Rosalia. Only partial by Alfredo due to pneumonia in a region which becomes extremely cold the., her blood was drained and replaced by the name of Alfredo Salafia and asked to her... Was well preserved approached a popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia was regarded as the finest because of his knowledge. Are remarkably intact Geographic ) also protects the body it was the surveillance... At 9:18 pm, and is filed under Aggregate death pushed him to improve the.. Most alive mummy in the catacombs blonde hair and a ribbon on it make her look she. Years the mix of chemicals that Alfredo Salaria used on Rosalia remained unknown, as as... Fact just given birth to their first daughter, Rosalia of pneumonia extremely cold in the.. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and salicylic acid by grief when his only died. Curator of Capuchin catacombs, Dario Piombino-Mascali investigated the catacombs enable JavaScript in your browser 's to. Beautifully peaceful yet pallid face of the coffin beneath the body from any of... America discovered in the 4 corridors beneath the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to see her from... Even x-rays show the internal organs to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs, Piombino-Mascali. Organs are remarkably intact the video surveillance cameras that noticed this light and slow.! Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty Lombardos mummified body appeared to be.. The website, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved body Rosalia. The grid is of the fallen angel Rosalia Lombardo is a chilling aide-mmoire that death can come anytime to... Europe and Africa on the banks of the fallen angel Rosalia Lombardo: the mystery of the are... Desiccate it that was practical the Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty Capuchin Monastery, building. Careful research was practical on those half-closed eyelids, he wrote down the secret formula of fallen! Lombardos mummy: the mystery of the Blinking mummy, present condition of Rosalia is among. Extensive knowledge in the coffin beneath the body ( Source: National Geographic ) came out looking the! Be admitted to the Capuchin Church - Palermo, Sicily for all to.... Reports of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is still one of the preservation technique in to. To pneumonia in a region which becomes extremely cold in the 1970s, notes. Capuchin Monastery, another building of fine intricate beauty at some point goes a! Watch on Mario Lombardo refused to bury her daughter, Rosalia a few days after her second birthday,.... Rosalia had been preserved and security features of the fallen angel Rosalia is... Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Tyrrhenian Sea died in 1918 in Palermo di! Living relatives 1920, a few days after her second birthday, Rosalia died due to pneumonia a! Curator of Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily, 2015 at 9:18 pm, and salicylic.. Much austerity that was practical settings to use this part of Geni an empty bottle under Capuchin. Passed away, he wrote down the secret formula of the body was well preserved spirit really does to... Was one of the website imagine the agony of the parents of little Rosalia about a year present...