The crypts below St. Michan’s Church in Dublin, Ireland, which is dating back to 1095, are home to a chilling sight – the naturally preserved remains of some of Dublin’s most influential families from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. But how these bodies became mummified, and the legends surrounding them, take on a supernatural air that tingles the spine. Four open coffins reveal mummies in various states of decomposition, each with their unique tale to tell.
The most notorious of these is the ‘Crusader,’ an 800-year-old, 6ft 6inch tall gentle giant. Although there’s no documented evidence that this man went on the Crusades, local lore suggests he was a soldier who died in battle in the Holy Land. Legend has it that if you touch his finger, it will bring you good luck.
Another mummy is believed to be a nun, disposed in a reverential pose, with her arm and hand outstretched towards those who visit. Near these figures lies ‘The Thief,’ whose right hand and both feet are missing – a symbolic punishment for his crimes, some say.
The mysterious process of natural mummification in the crypts is attributed to the limestone bricks absorbing moisture, creating an arid environment where decomposition slows, and bodies become mummified. However, locals whisper about a more spectral reason – that the spirit of the Crusader watches over his brethren, protecting them in death as in life.
Over the centuries, these mummies have become an essential part of Dublin’s cultural story, their spectral pallor illuminating the city’s vibrant if grim, history. Devoid of myth and local legend, the preserving powers of St. Michan’s crypts are already an enigma, but with the added aura of the supernatural, it’s hard not to feel a shiver down your spine in their presence.