VODNJAN SAINTS - BEST PRESERVED EUROPEAN MUMMIES

ZAGREB/VODNJAN, Dec 26 (Hina) - The church of St Blaz in the Istrian town of Vodnjan near Pula is known for its rich sacral collection, which includes the mummified bodies of three saints - Leon Bembo, Giovanni Olini, and Nikoloza Bursa, as well as parts of bodies of St. Sebastian and St. Barbara. The bodies of the three saints are the best preserved mummies in Europe. The collection arrived at the Vodnjan church, established on the remains of an 11th century church, 180 years ago. The bodies are believed to have arrived in Istria with Gaetano Gresler from Venice, who came to Fazana, near Vodnjan, with a collection of 350 relics, the remains of 250 saints, and the mummified bodies of the three saints. There is still no answer to the question how the bodies, which had not been embalmed, have remained preserved until the present day (the oldest body dates back to the late 12th century). The story about the body of St Nikoloza Bursa is the most interesting one. Her parents were from Peloponnesus but moved to Koper (Slovenia), where they worked as merchants. In 1465 she was admitted to the Benedictine nunnery of St. Servolo in Venice. She died in 1512 and was buried at the nunnery's crypt. When the crypt was later opened, it was found out that her body did not decompose. In 1810, after the nunnery was closed, the mummy was given to Gaetano Gresler. The mummy is believed to have caused more than 50 miraculous recoveries. Miraculous recoveries have also been ascribed to the bodies of Leon Bembo, who died in 1188, and Giovanni Olini. It is supposed that Olini, whose one hand is raised is if he was bestowing a blessing, had been buried alive and that the position of his hand indicates that he tried to save himself. (hina) rml