utorak, 22. srpnja 2008.

The Istrian mummies in Vodnjan

Vodnjan is a sleepy Istrian village that contains one of the region's most macabre sights. There's not much to see in the tiny town except for the Baroque 18th-century Church of St. Blaise (sveti Blaž). Pleasant enough on the outside, it's the interior that draws visitors.

Behind the main altar of lie the desiccated remains of six saints that were, in effect, mummified. The clothed bodies of St. Leon Bembo, St. Ivan John Olini, and St. Nicoloza Bursa, as well as assorted parts of three other saints, lie enclosed in glass. For unknown reasons, the bodies and body parts failed to decompose. The skin and nails darkened and dried, making the corpses look curiously wooden. In addition to the "mummies", the church reliquary contains 380 relics enclosed in glass, including the undecayed tongue of St. Mary of Egypt.

It is believed that the body of St. Nicolosa, Benedictine nun who died in Venice in 1512 is the best preserved mummy in Europe. Bioenergy healers have proved that the body of Nicolosa Bursa emits a 32-meter bioenergy circle. It is also said that there have been 50 miraculous healings in the body's close proximity.

The collection of mummies was brought to the church in Vodnjan 180 years ago, when fleeing from the perils of war it was brought from Italy by Gaetano Gresler. How these bodies, which were not embalmed, have failed to decompose and have been preserved until today (the oldest dates from the end of the 12th century) - still remains a mystery.

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1 komentar:

Unknown kaže...

This is a truly great place for all those who love little churches with great miracles....we will be happy to include this most interesting site in the Croatia itinerary.
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