Imagine a child so perfectly preserved that she seems merely asleep, her serene beauty unchanged over the decades. This is the captivating story of Rosalia Lombardo, a two-year-old girl from Palermo, whose century-long slumber has mystified and drawn tens of thousands of visitors to Sicily.
Born on December 13, 1918, in Palermo, Sicily, Rosalia’s short life was abruptly ended by pneumonia just shy of her second birthday, on December 6, 1920. Her father, Mario Lombardo, heartbroken and desperate to preserve his daughter’s memory, turned to Alfredo Salafia, a noted embalmer.
Little did he know that Salafia’s work would render Rosalia into an enigma—a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that dares time and explanation.
Set in the haunting Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Rosalia rests in a small, thoughtfully chosen corner. Here, her tiny figure lies in a glass case, surrounded by the shadows of history. Visitors report something inexplicable—Rosalia’s eyes appear to gently open and close, giving rise to the tale of the ‘blinking’ mummy.
Captured first in a National Geographic documentary in 2009, time-lapse photography underscores this chilling phenomenon, as her eyelids flutter ever so slightly, about 1/8th of an inch. Scientists argue that this could be attributed to changes in humidity and temperature affecting her skin—a scientific explanation, yet leaving room for wonder.
The secret to her incredible preservation? Alfredo Salafia’s embalming fluid, a successful concoction of formalin, zinc salts, alcohol, salicylic acid, and glycerin. Remarkably, X-ray examinations reveal that her internal organs remain untouched by time.
As any caretaker would for a loved one, conservationists have taken steps to shield Rosalia from decay. Her resting place was moved to a drier area of the catacombs, and her delicate body is now housed in a hermetically sealed glass case filled with nitrogen gas.
Rosalia’s appeal extends well beyond scientific intrigue. Her doll-like face and blonde curls touch something deeply human—a universal empathy stemming from the innocence of her age and the tragedy of her passing. Mario Lombardo’s profound love and loss have transcended the years, telling a story that resonates with the human experience.
Today, the legend of Rosalia Lombardo continues to captivate. Visitors flock to her resting place, mesmerized by this extraordinary testament to human ingenuity and devotion. As you glance at her peaceful visage, you might find yourself wondering about the mysteries life holds, and the love that defies time.
If ever in Sicily, step into the Capuchin Catacombs, and stand witness to the ethereal Rosalia. Let her story linger with you, as it has lingered for a hundred years—an echo of a father’s undying love.
