Preserved Mummies of the Hervormde Kerk – Wiuwert, Netherlands - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Preserved Mummies of the Hervormde Kerk

Wiuwert, Netherlands

A bizarre form of natural mummification was discovered in the church of this Frisian village. 

View all photos
Naturally preserved mummy of a young man who died somewhere in the 17th century of inflammation of the jaw. He evidently was in a lot of pain when he died, as can be seen by how crooked his toes are, not to mention his facial expression. This unfortunate guy lies on display in a vault under the church of Wiuwert (Friesland, the Netherlands - population: 240).The vault contains three other human mummies (when the vault was discovered in 1765 there were eleven mummies, but for some reason 7 have disappeared. Probably several scientists ran off with them). It is still a mystery why the corpses were conserved. Experiments with dead animals have shown that the conservation process is still going on. http://www.flickr.com/photos/broterham/137...
47
345
Top Places in Netherlands
Some rights reserved by Michel Coumans
Bataviawerf
Lelystad, Netherlands
Rozenburg Wind Wall
Europoort Rotterdam, Netherlands
De Wieden National Park Observation Tower
Sint Jansklooster, Netherlands
 See All

In 1765 carpenters were working in the church of the small village of Wieuwerd, Friesland, when they found a crypt with 11 coffins that looked as if they were brand new.

To their astonishment the bodies inside the coffins showed no signs of decay. The cool, dry atmosphere of the church had apparently caused decomposition to slow to a glacial pace (though it did not stop completely). Birds that died in the crypt became mummified too.

Of the 11 mummies, four remain today. It is believed that they belonged to the Labadist, a protestant religious movement of the 17th century.

Know Before You Go

Wieuwerd (in Frisian the place is called Wiuwert) is close to Sneek or Mantgum. By car: take the N354 between Sneek and Leeuwarden. At Dearsum take the N384, from here the town is on the road signs. By bus: line 33 from Sneek. Alternatively, take your bike on the train and get off at Mantgum - then cycle to Wiuwert.

mummies churches sacred spaces
Nearby
Uniastate Bears
3.64 miles
Slauerhoffbrug Flying Drawbridge
6.89 miles
Eisinga Planetarium
8.06 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Uniastate Bears.
Bears, Netherlands

Uniastate Bears

This steel frame is a skeletal mirage of a lost 16th-century stone building.
Slauerhoffbrug as viewed from the canal
Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Slauerhoffbrug Flying Drawbridge

This unique bridge physically lifts a piece of the road into the air to let boats pass by.
A cozy Dutch house on the outside
Franeker, Netherlands

Eisinga Planetarium

Home to the world's oldest functioning orrery.
Herkules Windmill
De Veenhoop, Netherlands

Herkules Windmill

This Dutch windmill has its roots in an American invention.
Related Places
Santa Caterina del Sasso
Leggiuno, Italy

Santa Caterina del Sasso

This monastery built into a cliff hides a perfectly preserved hermit in a glass coffin.
Mummified bodies discovered in the crypt of the Church of St. Stephen, Ferentillo, Umbria, Italy.
Ferentillo, Italy

Museum of the Mummies

Naturally preserved bodies are eerily staged throughout the crypt in varying poses.
One of the mummies contained in the crypt.
Bremen, Germany

Bleikeller

Eight naturally mummified bodies in glass coffins are housed in an underground crypt.
The mummies of eminent personalities from the 18th and 19th century.
Monopoli, Italy

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio detta del Purgatorio

Macabre symbols of death and mummies on display set the tone of this Italian purgatory church.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web