The girl from the 1920s who defies time in the enigmatic catacombs of Palermo.

Rosalia Lombardo, a little girl who succumbed to ppeυmopia in 1920, has defied the passage of time in a way that helps to baffle and captivate the world. Thanks to the extraordinary embalming skills of Alfredo Salafia, her slender body remains remarkably preserved almost a century later, earning her the nickname “Sleeping Beauty.”

Housed within the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Italy, Rosalia’s body is a testament to Salafia’s unparalleled expertise. Her delicate features, complete with a lock of blonde hair tied with a silk bow, appear almost lifelike. Even X-rays have revealed the preservation of her internal organs, a comparable feat in the realm of embalming.

But it is not just Rosalia’s physical preservation that has fuelled the fascination. Countless visitors have sworn to witness her eyelids fluttering, creating an eerie illusion of life. This phenomenon, sometimes attributed to superficial causes, has found a more scientific explanation.

Dario Piombipo-Mascali, the curator of the Capuchi catacombs, discovered that changes in temperature and light inside the crypt made Rosalia’s eyelids appear to open and close. This optical illusion, caused by the angle of light falling on her face, created the mesmerising effect that had captivated so many.

However, Piombio-Mascali’s research yielded an even more significant discovery: the secret formula used by Alfredo Salafia to achieve such extraordinary preservation. Analyzing Salafia’s notes, the curator discovered a meticulous process involving a combination of formaldehyde, zipc salts, alcohol, salicylic acid and glycerol. Each ingredient played a crucial role in preventing decay, desiccation and bacterial growth.

Rosalía Lombardo is a testament to the intersection of art and science. Her story is a reminder of the emerging human desire to defy mortality and preserve the memory of loved ones. While the mystery of her seemingly blinking eyes has been solved, the wonder of their preservation contributes to inspiring wonder and awe.

A team of investigators performs an X-ray of Rosalía’s body. Photo credit: Nat Geo.

Rosalia’s X-ray shows her brain and liver intact. The grate is from the coffin beneath the body. Photo credit: Owlcatioп

This x-ray clearly shows Rosalia’s arms and feet. Photo credit: Owlcatioп

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Photo credit: losaпgeles1947

Photo credit: Plaпète Aпimale.