A few years ago I lived in Sigonella, Sicily with my family. My father (A member of the United States Navy) was stationed there for a four year stretch. While there we did a lot of things, but the one trip that always stuck with me was our trip to the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo. There I met Rosalia Lombardo.
Rosalia Lombardo was born in 1918 in Palermo, Sicily. She died of pneumonia is 1920. Her father grief stricken contacted Dr. Alfredo Salafia, a famed embalmer. Dr. Salafia created a new technique and embalmed the body of Rosalia.
Eighty years later her body remains almost in perfect condition, only recently has it begun to show signs of decomposition. The locals dubbed the young girl "Sleeping Beauty" because (despite the discoloration in her skin) she looks as if she is sleeping.
Her remains sit at the very end of the church where she can be seen encased in a glass coffin.
Side Notes:
It was believed for some time that the formula created by Dr. Salafia had been lost or purposely destroyed. However notes in a book written by the late doctor show how he created the formula, and was able to perfectly preserve a body for over 80 years.
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