Set deep within the medieval streets of Palermo, the Catacombs of the Capuchins are arguably the city’s most chilling attraction, and sure to fascinate guests of all ages. What originally started as an overflow to the Capuchin cemetery eventually expanded into a mammoth network of passages, containing several thousand corpses and believed to be the world’s largest collection of mummies.
Back in 1599, the first body to be entombed far below the streets was a Capuchin monk known only as Silvestro of Gubbio. His body was mummified in preparation for this, which initiated a long tradition within the catacombs of entombing the dead in their everyday clothing. This macabre process created numerous examples of remarkable preservation, and continued until the 1920’s, when more wealthy residents were being buried than monks. As of recently, the catacombs are open to the paying public, and now provide access to many of the most important caverns below.
Opening hours: Daily from 9am - 1pm and from 3pm – 6pm (closed on Sunday afternoons between October and March).
Price: €3 per person.
*Prices and opening hours may be subject to change.
Set deep within the medieval streets of Palermo, the Catacombs of the Capuchins are arguably the city’s most chilling attraction, and sure to fascinate guests of all ages. What originally started as an overflow to the Capuchin cemetery eventually expanded into a mammoth network of passages, containing several thousand corpses and believed to be the world’s largest collection of mummies.
Back in 1599, the first body to be entombed far below the streets was a Capuchin monk known only as Silvestro of Gubbio. His body was mummified in preparation for this, which initiated a long tradition within the catacombs of entombing the dead in their everyday clothing. This macabre process created numerous examples of remarkable preservation, and continued until the 1920’s, when more wealthy residents were being buried than monks. As of recently, the catacombs are open to the paying public, and now provide access to many of the most important caverns below.
Opening hours: Daily from 9am - 1pm and from 3pm – 6pm (closed on Sunday afternoons between October and March).
Price: €3 per person.
*Prices and opening hours may be subject to change.
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