In Rome, the mysterious and amazing capital of Italy, there is always something to see for tourists. Here, at every step, there are some sights, stories and secrets. But one of the most interesting secrets is the Museum of the Souls of Purgatory. Despite its small size compared to other Roman museums, unique exhibits are kept here - the traces of souls trapped in Purgatory.
This unusual museum is located just ten minutes walk from the Vatican. In order to get inside and view the entire exhibition, you must obtain permission from Catholic priests. And although there was not a single case when someone was forbidden to enter here, this procedure still works and is mandatory for everyone. The museum itself is located in the Church of Del Sacro Cuore, in which you have to find at least one clergyman and tell him the password word: "museum". After that the minister will take the tourist to the right place.
The history of the museum begins in 1897, when a fire broke out in the chapel, which was located on the site of the present temple. The French missionary Victor Jouet, who built the temple to pray for the souls of the departed, discovered that an inexplicable trace of a man's head remained on the wall after the fire. Demonic faces with grins began to appear around this trail. Jouet explained this mysterious phenomenon as a kind of reminder of the living about the need to pray for the souls of the dead.
Indeed, although there is no mention of Purgatory in the Bible, this term has existed since the 11th century. It is believed that there is a world where the souls of those who need to be cleansed from the consequences of sins committed during their lifetime go. This place is located between Heaven and Hell. And in order for the soul to quickly leave Purgatory, according to the doctrine of the Catholics, you need to pray for it as much as possible. As in many other religions, oblivion is considered almost the most dangerous for the soul.
Be that as it may, but Victor Jouet believed in the ability of souls to leave traces of fire on various objects as signs and reminders of themselves. In order to be even more convinced and confirm his assumption, he decided to travel across Europe. On his journey, he collected the first exposition of this most mysterious Roman museum. Later, some of the exhibits were already sent to the museum by their owners. So gradually, a small, but very exciting collection of such items was accumulated.
Promotional video:
Among them is the shirt of a certain Giuseppe, a Belgian resident who lived a very dissolute life. Than the ghost of his mother angered. For eleven days, Giuseppe was haunted by eerie sounds, and on the twelfth day an image of a woman appeared to him. She scolded her son for unworthy behavior and threatened him with heavenly punishment. As an eternal reminder, she touched the sleeve of his shirt, where a burnt mark remained. After such a meeting, Giuseppe gave up his former life and became a missionary. And he donated his shirt to the museum as an exhibit.
There is also a cap with fingerprints. According to legend, the owner's wife died. The man did not grieve for a long time about the eternal separation from his beloved and found solace in the arms of other women. This continued until the ghost of his jealous wife appeared to him at night. She pinched the cheater's nose and pulled the nightcap off his head. On which, as well as in the previous story, traces of the woman's fingers remained. And the unfaithful spouse after that stopped walking and began to observe mourning.
The entrance to the museum is free. As well as the opportunity to photograph all the exhibits. Still, it is worth leaving at least a small donation.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 17:00 to 19:00.