Mummies of Guanajuato, Historical museum in Guanajuato City, Mexico.
The Museo de las Momias houses 59 naturally preserved human bodies displayed in climate-controlled glass cases. The collection includes men, women, and children whose remains were preserved by the dry air and high mineral content in the region's soil.
Cemetery workers discovered the first mummies starting in 1870 when families could no longer pay burial taxes and bodies had to be exhumed. The museum opened in 1969 after the local government decided to make the collection accessible to the public.
The displayed bodies often wear clothing from the 19th century chosen by families according to Catholic traditions. Visitors today see traces of these burial customs, including the way children were dressed in white garments.
The museum is located next to the main city cemetery and can be reached on foot or by public transport. The exhibition may trigger strong emotional reactions in some visitors, so it helps to be informed about the content before entering.
Dr. Remigio Leroy was the first person buried in the Pantheon de Guanajuato in 1865, whose body was later found mummified. His discovery triggered the public interest that eventually led to the founding of this institution.
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