These corpses are so beautiful that they seem to be merely drifting into a gentle sleep.
Astonishingly Beautiful Corpses from a Century Ago
Mummification is a technique that uses chemicals to ensure that a deceased person’s body does not decompose after death. While in the past mummification was done using certain formulas, today there are many diverse options and various chemicals available for this process.
With the outstanding advancements in science and technology, mummification has made significant progress. Many corpses that have been mummified still retain the features of their face and body, without any distortion or wrinkles.
These advancements enable the deceased to maintain their demeanor and natural beauty, making them appear as if they are deeply asleep.
1. Saint Bernadette
Saint Bernadette (1844 – 1897), whose real name was Marie Bernarde Soubirous, was born in 1844 and was the daughter of a miller in Lourdes (France).
Many recount that on February 11, 1858, Bernadette witnessed the Virgin Mary appear before her in a cave by the river. After this event, she decided to pursue a path of religious life.
In 1867, Bernadette suffered from rheumatism but still tried to work as a nurse. Her health gradually declined, and she could no longer work. In 1877, her condition worsened, and she passed away during Holy Week in 1879 at the age of 35. A miracle occurred for this devout woman: after her death, her body showed no signs of decomposition.
During a religious ceremony in 1909, her body was exhumed, and all the witnesses were astonished to see Bernadette looking as if she were merely sleeping rather than deceased.
Bernadette retained her saintly beauty with a flawless complexion. Today, her body is displayed in a chapel in the Lourdes region and is preserved with a small amount of wax to maintain her perfection in a glass coffin.
2. Rosalia Lombardo
Rosalia Lombardo (1918 – 1920) was the daughter of an Italian military general, Mario Lombardo. She passed away on December 6, 1920, at just under three years old and was one of the last victims of the Spanish flu in 1920.
Rosalia’s father, Mario, was heartbroken by the loss of his beloved daughter. Therefore, he sought out professional embalmer Alfredo Salafia with the wish to preserve Rosalia’s image for eternity.
He then arranged for his daughter to be preserved in the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo (Italy). Rosalia was the last case accepted among the 8,000 mummies there.
To embalm little Rosalia, her blood was first replaced with formalin. Then, alcohol and glycerin were used to keep her body dry without losing moisture entirely.
Salicylic acid was subsequently added to prevent mold from developing. Finally, zinc salts were included to make the corpse “rigid.”
Thanks to this preservation method, Rosalia’s body shows no signs of decomposition to this day. Her face remains adorable and fresh as if she is peacefully asleep.
Her golden hair is still intact on her cherry-tinted smooth skin. When sleeping, the little girl looks like an angel, and Rosalia is celebrated as the “most beautiful mummy in the world.”
3. Eva “Evita” Perón
Eva Perón (1919 – 1952), also known as Evita, was one of the most beloved women in Argentina. She was the second wife of Argentine President Juan Perón and served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death from cancer in 1952.
She was admired by the Argentine people for her efforts to secure voting rights for women, advocate for workers’ interests, and establish hospitals and orphanages. Therefore, after Evita passed away, it was decided to mummify her as an act of gratitude and respect.
The mummification process was conducted by the renowned anatomist Pedro Ana. To perform the mummification, all the blood and water in her body were completely replaced with glycerin solution. All internal organs, including the brain, were removed and carefully preserved.
In life, Evita possessed stunning beauty, and after her death, her body remained equally radiant. Following a coup in Argentina, her body was stolen in 1955 and hidden in Italy. Her mesmerizing beauty led one of the guards of her corpse to confess that he had “fallen in love” with her.
