Venzone is a small town in Italy that has a unique history of mummification. In the 14th century, the town was hit by a deadly plague, which killed many of its inhabitants. To prevent the spread of the disease, the bodies of the deceased were buried in a special soil mixture that was high in calcium, which helped to dry out the corpses and preserve them. Over time, this process of natural mummification became more common, and by the 16th century, it was a widespread practice in the town.
In 1976, Venzone was struck by a devastating earthquake that destroyed many of its buildings, including the cemetery. During the reconstruction process, workers discovered the mummified remains of some of the town's ancient residents. Instead of disposing of these remains, the town decided to preserve them and put them on display in St. Andrew's Church, where they can be visited by tourists.
Today, the mummies of Venzone continue to fascinate visitors from all over the world. The mummies are displayed in glass cases, and visitors are not allowed to touch them. The mummies are dressed in their original clothing, and some even have their hair and teeth intact. While some may find the idea of displaying mummified remains to be macabre, the people of Venzone view it as a way to honor and remember their ancestors and their unique history of mummification.
No comments:
Post a Comment