Incredibly well-preserved corpse of saint who died more than 400 years ago put on display, astonishing emotional visitors
Warning: Graphic images below
The incredibly intact remains of a 16th-century Catholic saint who died more than 400 years ago astonished observers when her corpse was put on display in Spain over the weekend.
The body of St. Teresa of Jesus, a Discalced Carmelite nun, was unveiled to the public for the first time since 1914 at the Basilica Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province Sunday.
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4 A picture taken on May 12, 2025 shows the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus displayed at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province.
AFP via Getty Images
The solemn display was part of an opening ceremony of public veneration, according to Exaudi News.
One visitor was overwhelmed with emotions as she held her hand over her mouth while another viewer appeared on the verge of tears after laying eyes on the saint, who is also known as St. Teresa of Avila.
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Others prayed in front of her body, according to photos of the scene.
The corpse of St. Teresa, who died at 67, has reportedly remained mostly incorrupt since her death in 1582, the Diocese of Avila said last summer when the tomb was opened.
The coffin was opened by Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks and priests so relics of her heart, hand and arm could be studied.
They looked back at a 1914 photo of the remains to compare St. Teresa's present physical condition.
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4 Public veneration of the body of St. Teresa of Jesus, in the Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers, on 11 May, 2025 in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, Castilla y Leon, Spain.
Europa Press via Getty Images
'The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914,' Father Marco Chiesa said in a press release.
A 53-page preliminary analysis of the body was released in March when an anthropology professor marveled at her condition, according to the Spanish news outlet, Salamanca RTV Al Dia.
'The right foot, left hand, heart and left arm are perfectly preserved, with intact skin, subcutaneous tissues and muscles in place and no signs of degradation,' Italian professor Luigi Capasso reportedly said.
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4 Faithful view the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province, on May 12, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
4 The body of Saint Teresa of Jesus is on public display for the first time since 1914.
Europa Press via Getty Images
Her scalp still had strands of brown hair and her right eye still kept its dark eyelids and iris, the news outlet reported.
An X-ray analysis revealed that St. Teresa fought multiple chronic illnesses that limited her range of movement during her life, Salamanca RTV Al Dia also reported this year.
The saint's body remains in impressive condition because of the dryness of her tomb, officials have speculated, according to the Spanish outlet.
'It's a truly unique natural phenomenon,' Capasso reportedly said earlier this year.
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