Advertisement

These Catacombs in Sicily May Be One of the Scariest Places in the World

  • Updated: October 31, 2012

Behold, the Capuchin Monk Catacombs where it’s said as many as 8,000 corpses hang on the wall or in glass caskets on display for the world to see — fully clothed. Take a look, and try not to have nightmares. (I’ve added some beautiful photos of Sicily to the end so you can sleep tonight.)

— Jon Whittle

Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 1
Originally the catacombs started as a place to mummify Capuchin monks where after a year long draining and drying process, brothers could pray with the one they lost, instead of for them. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 2
Eventually it became known around Sicily and Italy at large that people could be preserved…for a price…and the monks set up a method of ‘donation’ wherein an annual payment assured your loved one would be mummified and propped up into a prominent niche for all to see. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 3
But if you fell short on your payment, the loved one was placed aside in a less visible position. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 4
Eventually the man who engineered this process died without fully passing on his knowledge for the technique. (Thank goodness.) Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 5
But the bodies endure, decorated in tattered clothing from their era be they a priest, virgin, man, woman, or child. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 6
Believe it or not, it’s mildly disturbing to walk around in there, especially in the children’s room. Oh and before you ask… yes… it’s illegal to photograph in there. (Oops.) Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 7
And now on to the Sicily that belongs in your dreams instead of your nightmares… Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 8
Temple of Segesta, a perfectly preserved Greek Doric Temple with a theater and other ruins up the side of another hill. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 9
Castello de Venere Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 10
Zingara Nature Reserve. Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 11
Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 12
Jon Whittle
Sicily Catacombs | Haunted Islands | Scariest Places in the World 14
Castello de Venere Jon Whittle
trapani1095.jpg
View of Trapani from Above Jon Whittle
Advertisement

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

Sign up for Islands emails to receive features on travel destinations, event listings and product reviews as well as special offers on behalf of Islands’ partners.

By signing up you agree to receive communications from Islands and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.

More

Advertisement

Read More

ABOUT US
FOLLOW US
BONNIER BRANDS

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2023 lslands. A Bonnier LLC Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.