Museum of the Souls of Purgatory, Rome
The Museum of the Souls of Purgatory (Museo delle Anime del Purgatorio) stands close to the sacristy of the Gothic Church of Sacro Cuore del Suffragio near the Vatican. The museum's collection is small but impressive and can even be scary. The idea of purgatory originates from the Catholic doctrine. Believers consider it to be the place where every sinful soul stays until all its earthly sins are redeemed. The collection is designed to demonstrate through its exhibits that purgatory may be real.
Exhibits of the museum
The exposition of the Museo delle Anime del Purgatorio appeared at the end of the 19th century. It includes various household items affected by ghosts. Such evidence of the existence of the beyond sends goosebumps down visitors' spine.
Some of the items are quite realistic. For example, the nightcap of Monsieur Louis Le Senechal with someone's fingerprints on it. The nightcap owner's wife died in the 1870s, but the widower did not observe mourning. One night a ghost of his wife appeared in front of him, pulled off the headdress from the poor fellow and pinched his nose. The museum has other units shrouded in mystery. The collection of items proving "ghostly" presence has been replenished with artefacts from many European countries since the end of the 19th century.
How to get there
Museum of the Souls of Purgatory can be reached on foot along the Tiber embankment from Castel Sant'Angelo. Buses № 70, 81, 87, 280, 301, 492, 913, N6, N7 run to the stop of Vittoria Colonna.
Opening hours: the museum and the Church of Sacro Cuore del Suffragio are open from 7:30 until 11:00 and from 15:30 until 19:30. Admission is free.
