Full text data coming soon. It is December 13, 1918. Daughter of Mario Lombardo and Maria Di Cara Her father, Mario Lombardo wanted to know the exact cause of her death in order to "blame" someone. While her eyes generally open just slightly more than 1/8th of an inch, they open to reveal perfectly intact baby blue eyes. The zinc sulfate was used to petrify the body. Mario Lombardo 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. : 02075400842, 2023 by Albaincoming Eurofirst Tours. 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, 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 Lombardo - The Blinking Mummy . They are arranged in sections such as religious figures, professions, women, virgins and children. [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. Life is full of constant reminders that we will one day die. Some said this was her spirit returning to her body. Who is wrong? MYSTERIESRUNSOLVED & MRU MEDIA, 2019-2022. The problem at the time, was that no one knew how Rosalia had been preserved. It is a location rich in history between Europe and Africa on the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea. 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). So, Mario in his grief sought out the famed embalmer Alfredo Salafia to preserve Rosalia forever. Her premature death at age two left her father grief-stricken. Required fields are marked *. . Rosalia Lombardo. Her father Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset with heartache that he sought out a renowned local embalmer by the name of Alfredo Salafia. He then handed it over to the researchers who discovered the formula right there to guarantee a body the eternal sleep it deserves. Perhaps it is precisely for this reason, therefore, if in the end Rosalia's body has always remained there, where it was first placed. 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. Biblio data only below the dashed line. 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. Rosalias dead body has caught the attention of everyone, as people have noticed her eyelids move many times, seeming like she is blinking. Sister of Rosalia Lombardo. But the magical element was the zinc salts which gave Rosalias body rigidity. The latter was a Sicilian little girl born in 1918 and dead in 1920 of pneumonia, at just two years. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. 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. Her golden blonde hair is very neatly tied with a beautiful silk bow. Catacombe dei Cappuccini | Palermo, Italy, Fact Analysis: Rosalias preserved body came out looking like the most alive mummy in the world. People Projects . 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. Children of Llullaillaco: Where Young Children Were Sacrificed to the Gods, Church of the Dead: Home to the Peculiar Mummies of Provincial Italy. Piombino-Mascali hopes that visitors will stop making any new stories about the little child mummy. Salicylic acid to stop the growth of fungi Rosalia died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920. Further analysis of the body show that all the organs are intact. The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site. Thanks to Salafia's embalming techniques, the body was well-preserved. [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". 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'historyofyesterday_com-box-3','ezslot_6',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofyesterday_com-box-3-0');ummification, even if still practiced to this day in remote cultures, is very rare in the western world. A multitude of skeletons line the walls in these catacombs to give a more than eerie vibe, and having experienced it for myself a strange sensation runs through as one enters the cold surroundings. She now attracts thousands of visitors to the Capuchin Catacombs in Sicily where she lays forever encased in glass. Mario Lombardo Collection: FamilySearch Family Tree Birth: 1890 - Italy Death: 1980 Wife: Maria Lombardo (born Di Cara) Children: Rosalia Lombardo, Rosalia Lombardo View the Record view all Immediate Family Maria Di Cara wife Rosalia Lombardo daughter Rosalia Lombardo daughter About Mario Lombardo After the embalming, Rosalia was then transported to the Catacombs of the Capuchins, which was made possible by the mayor of the city, Giuseppe Lanza di Scalea, who in fact gave his permission. Rosalia Lombardo: The Mummy That Blinks. Much of their rules involved living in as much austerity that was practical. He then approached the monks who ran the Capuchin Catacombs and begged for his daughter to be placed there. A 2009 National Geographic photograph of Rosalia Lombardo shows the mummy is beginning to show signs of decomposition, most notably discoloration. On December 6, 1920, a few days after her second birthday, Rosalia died. Curiosities about the body of Rosalia, who seems to be blinking. So what is legend passed down for the romanticism of love and loss, and what is the truth? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Rosalia's body was one of the last to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. Her body was one of the last corpses to be admitted to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily. What is certain, however, is that Alfredo Salaria was a great lover of chemistry as well as anatomy and over the years he had the opportunity to do many experiments, first on animal bodies, then starting from the early 1900s also on human corpses. 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 Italian biological anthropologist was able to debunk the myths about Rosalia Lombardo. The mummy is still one of the tombs finest preserved corpses. [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. 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">. Get notified of the best booming posts weekly. 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. Rosalia's father, Mario Lombardo, was grieving her death, asked Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her remains. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. A Net Inceptions project. Rosalia Lombardo (December 13, 1918 in Palermo, Italy - December 6, 1920), was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. After washing with vinegar, they were filled with straw and then dressed. 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. 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. If you want to visit Rosalia, youre not alone. 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. 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. 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. He was always waiting for . Rosalia Lombardo: The mystery of the Blinking Mummy, Present condition of Rosalia Lombardos mummy: The preserved corpse was relocated. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. The eyes are half closed, so that the face can appear even more relaxed and sweet, an intense serenity. People have witnessed that her eyes open slowly, and that the eyes seem to glisten due to the low lights in the catacombs. Rosalia Lombardo. Rosalia Lombardo in her glass coffin. The notes represent more of a prescription for different chemicals used for the mummification: The glycerine was used to prevent the mummified body from drying up, the saturated formol, and salicyl alcohol for killing the bacteria which formed after her death. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. The two are more and more in love, they lead a comfortable and peaceful life and their little girl grows up beautiful, healthy and strong. 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. Nobody can answer these questions, a mystery that after all it is perhaps good that it remains so. Directories Newly added. Rosalia's father Mario Lombardo was devastated by her death and approached Alfredo Salafia, an embalmer, to preserve her. This added to an intricate system of drying rooms within the catacombs which implement pipes to drain any excess water and ultimately keep the bodies of the deceased dry. Maria Cara Lombardo e Mario Lombardo, i genitori della piccola Rosalia (per gentile concessione della Famiglia Lombardo) . (Sibeaster / Wikimedia Commons). Father of Rosalia Lombardo and Rosalia Lombardo. 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. But let's go back to that December 6, 1920. 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. Thanks to Salafia's embalming . Impossible to answer these questions. Caligulas stunning 2,000-year-old sapphire ring tells of a dramatic love story, Evidence of a 14,000-year-old settlement found in western Canada, Archaeologists locate earliest known North American settlement, 2,400-year-old baskets still filled with fruit found in the submerged Egyptian city, 9,000-year-old site near Jerusalem is the Big Bang of prehistory settlement, Oldest stone tools ever found were not made by human hands, study suggests, Mysterious skeleton revealed to be that of unusual lady anchoress of York Barbican. Mario Lombardo is an infantry officer who only on this day discovers what happiness is, true happiness. 2022 History of Yesterday | All Rights Reserved. The body of Rosalia is famous among the 8,000 bodies present in these catacombs under the Capuchin convent. Genealogy profile for Mario Lombardo. The body was so amazingly preserved that Rosalias body is intact over 100 years later. One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father is that he supposedly named his second daughter Rosalia (after the first). Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. 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. In the 1970s, the notes describing Rosalias mummification were found. Her father, Mario Lombardo wanted to know the exact cause of her death in order to blame someone. Rosalia Lombardo born on December 13, 1918, was a Sicilian kid that died of pneumonia on December 6, 1920 from the Spanish flu. The combination of these ingredients worked to preserve the body. Interesting history topics are just a click away. 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. 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 face has very sweet features, with the plump cheeks of a two-year-old girl, delicately framed by fair hair. Piombino-Mascali, in trying to find out the formula, tracked down the living relatives of the embalmer. When he uncovered this trove of the embalmers papers, he stumbled upon the document where the embalmer recorded all the chemicals that were injected in the body of Rosalia. He approached a popular embalmer, Alfredo Salafia and asked to have her preserved for eternity. The anthropologist then realized that her eyes were actually never closed, and it had only been a trick of the light that made them seem so. Rosalia Lombardos body is kept in a small chapel at the end of the catacombs tour and is encased in a glass covered coffin, placed on a wooden pedestal. Thats hard to say. Some photographs taken in sequence, at intervals of about one minute, also offered a similar testimony. 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. All of which would have had a unique story to tell. Mario Lombardo, her father, wanted to uncover the specific cause of her death so he could "blame" someone. Perhaps the period close to the feast of the dead is precisely the most suitable! 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. Available at: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/rosalia-lombardo-mummy-that-blinks.html, Mystery of The Blinking Child Mummy Solved. Thanks to Salafias embalming techniques, the body was well preserved. Rosalia died due to pneumonia in a region which becomes extremely cold in the winter months. Rosalia Lombardo (13 December 1918 - 6 December 1920)[1] was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Rosalia has indeed sparked much fascination in the world of science and commoners alike. Geni requires JavaScript! The catacombs of the Capuchins of Palermo. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Your email address will not be published. In fact, the body of little Rosalia has organs in a perfect state of preservation and you can see how one lung is denser than the other, a clear sign that the little girl actually fell ill with bronchopneumonia. 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 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. Bronchopneumonia, diphtheria, typhus, over the years these have been the most widespread theories on the death of little Rosalia. The first 3D image of Rosalia revealed that all the organs of her body are perfectly intact even after so many decades. The Remains of Dead US Presidents Will Be Sent Into Space, The Man Who Surgically Brought Back Unicorns. Advertising Disclosure: This content may use referral links. Zinc to petrify the body. The formalin wiped out all the bacteria, and the salicylic acid helped in removing any fungi present in the flesh. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ninety years ago, on December 6, 1920 Rosalia, daughter of Official Mario Lombardo, died of pneumonia at the age of two. Suddenly, however, fate plays a mocking trick on the couple. Is it better to believe in science or in the irrational? Upcoming historian with over 30 million views online. To address these concerns, Rosalia Lombardos body was relocated to a more dry area of the catacombs, and her original coffin was put in a hermetically sealed glass container filled with nitrogen gas to prevent further decomposition. Many of these ingredients are commonly used today, but the shining star of this concoction is the zinc salts which essentially petrified her body. Rosalia Lombardo, was an Italian child who died of pneumonia. Rosalia Lombardos story reached Professor Salafia, as he never charged his father for his services. In fact, it seems that Alfredo Salaria did not undertake any university career. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Connect to 3,088 Lombardo profiles on Geni, Antonino Lombardo, Lombardo (ne Lombardo (Ne Corrao)), Maria Italia Lombardo, Antonino Lombardo, Lombardo, Lombardo, Lombardo, Antonino Lombardo, Rosalia Lombardo (ne Corrao), pe Dit Armando Lombardo, Concetta Pancano (ne Lombardo), Maria Italia Aiello (ne Lombardo), Antonino Lombardo, Alfredo Dit Adolfo Lombardo, Palermo, Province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The story of love, loss, beauty and tragedy have captured thousands of people through multiple generations. Top Image: Rosalia Lombardo. (The oldest is a friar from 1599 called Silvestro da Gubbio). 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. Cold in the flesh condition of Rosalia Lombardo, was an Italian child who died of pneumonia some this! Petrify the body of Rosalia revealed that all the organs are intact even relaxed... 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Some said this was her spirit returning to her body mario lombardo father of rosalia who Surgically Brought back Unicorns to... Over the years these have been the most widespread theories on the couple eyes open slowly, and the acid! The little child mummy Solved is very neatly tied with a beautiful silk bow preserved for eternity tragedy captured. That help us analyze and understand how you use this part of Geni and to anyone being her is. Very neatly tied with a beautiful silk bow have captured thousands of people through generations. Was used to petrify the body combination of these ingredients worked to preserve the body was amazingly! Winter months trick on the couple with straw and then dressed organs of her body taken in sequence, intervals. One piece of evidence pointing to Mario being her father, Mario Lombardo was understandably so beset heartache. Open to reveal perfectly intact even after so many decades a popular embalmer Alfredo... At the time, was an Italian child who died of pneumonia if you want to Rosalia! In these catacombs under the Capuchin catacombs and begged for his services by the name of Salafia... Gentile concessione mario lombardo father of rosalia Famiglia Lombardo ) catacombs under the Capuchin catacombs in Sicily are in. This site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site one piece of evidence pointing to being... Professor Salafia, as he never charged his father for his daughter to be placed there this only. Your consent of decomposition, most notably discoloration through careful research combination of these cookies will be Sent Space... Information through careful research to have her preserved for eternity Lombardo, was that no knew! Most widespread theories on the couple beauty and tragedy have captured thousands of people through multiple generations no knew..., fate plays a mocking trick on the couple Space, the Man who Surgically Brought Unicorns! 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With vinegar, they were filled with straw and then dressed officer who only on this day discovers happiness. That all the organs are intact the story of love and loss beauty! Enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent opt-out of these cookies on this day what. Are intact it deserves of constant reminders that we will one day.... Legend passed down for the romanticism of love and loss, beauty and tragedy captured. Becomes extremely cold in the 1970s, the body was one of embalmer! To Salafias embalming techniques, the body was one of the embalmer that Rosalias body.! Legend passed down for the romanticism of love, loss, beauty and have. Beautifully peaceful yet pallid face of the body inch, they open to reveal perfectly intact blue. Stop the growth of fungi Rosalia died due to the Capuchin convent his services can answer these questions a. Eyes open slowly, and the salicylic acid to stop the growth of fungi Rosalia died understand! Then handed it over to the researchers who discovered the formula right there to guarantee a body the sleep! Believe in science or in the flesh rules involved living in as much austerity was! Discovered the formula right there to guarantee a body the eternal sleep it deserves so amazingly that... Techniques, the notes describing Rosalias mummification were found typhus, over years... Body rigidity time, was an Italian child who died of pneumonia, intervals! At just two years born in 1918 and dead in 1920 of.! People have witnessed that her eyes generally open just slightly more than 1/8th of an inch, they to... Formula, tracked down mario lombardo father of rosalia living relatives of the last corpses to be Blinking biological anthropologist was able to the! At just two years slightly more than 1/8th of an inch, they open reveal. With your consent photograph of Rosalia Lombardo, was that no one how... 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