Catacombe dei Cappuccini

The Catacombe dei Cappuccini is one of Palermo's most unusual and macabre attractions. Located beneath the Capuchin monastery, this vast network of corridors is lined with the mummified remains of over 8,000 individuals, men, women, children, and clergy, dating from the 16th to early 20th centuries. The bodies are remarkably preserved in various states of dress, from simple shrouds to formal attire, arranged by gender and social status. Walking through the dimly lit galleries, you'll encounter the 'Chapel of the Virgins' and the 'Children's Corridor,' where small bodies are displayed with poignant detail. The experience is both fascinating and somber, offering a rare window into historical burial practices and attitudes toward death. Photography is allowed, but visitors are expected to maintain a respectful silence.

Don't miss

• The 'Chapel of the Virgins' with young women dressed in their finest clothes
• The 'Children's Corridor' featuring small mummies in cradles or lined up
• The preserved body of a young girl known as 'Sleeping Beauty' (Rosalia Lombardo), remarkably intact
• The corridor of professionals, including doctors and lawyers in period attire
• The mummies of Capuchin monks in their habits

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Catacombe dei Cappuccini

Cheapest way inPalermo Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local4.3★ · 28 travelers6–7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →Most bookedThe Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers4.5★ · 5,215 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$63 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePalermo Historic Center Walking Tour by Palermo Wonders5★ · 153 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$159 per personSee dates →