The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo are one of the most macabre attractions in Sicily, famous for the mummified bodies on display in various states of preservation. Originally intended for Capuchin friars, the catacombs became a status symbol for local families to have their deceased relatives preserved and displayed here. It offers a unique, if chilling, insight into the customs of death and burial that were prevalent from the 17th century onwards.