In October 1958, the Funeral for Pope Pius XII Was Ruined by a Botched Embalming

Pope Pius XII’s funeral in October 1958 was a macabre event due to a botched experimental embalming that caused his body to rapidly decompose, swell, emit a foul odor, and eventually rupture during the procession.

The Pope’s personal physician, Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, an ophthalmologist with no forensic experience, decided to use an experimental preservation technique that involved soaking the body in aromatic oils and wrapping it in cellophane, rather than the standard practice of removing internal organs. Pius XII had requested that his organs not be removed, in a departure from the usual procedure at the time.

The combination of the warm October weather, the lack of refrigeration, and the flawed method accelerated anaerobic decomposition. Within hours, the body began to bloat and turn a greenish-black color, emitting such an intense stench that members of the Swiss Guard fainted and had to be rotated every 15 minutes during the public viewing.

The body continued to bloat, and reports indicate his nose and fingers detached. A wax mask was eventually used to cover his face. During the funeral procession from Castel Gandolfo to Rome, built-up internal gases and heat reportedly caused his chest cavity to “explode” or “rupture” with a loud sound in front of shocked mourners and pallbearers.

The incident made global headlines and led to swift consequences. Galeazzi-Lisi was banned from practicing medicine by the Italian Medical Council, dismissed by the newly elected Pope John XXIII, and banned from Vatican City for life. In the wake of this disaster, the Vatican implemented strict new protocols for papal funerals to ensure that standard, professional embalming practices were followed in the future.

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30 Amazing Color Slides Capture Street Scenes of Rome in the Early 1950s

The early 1950s saw Rome emerging from the post-war era and starting to flourish as part of the “Italian economic miracle”. This period was a time of significant reconstruction and modernization. The city began its transformation into a fashionable, cosmopolitan capital, laying the groundwork for the famous era of La Dolce Vita (“The Sweet Life”) that followed.

Iconic spots like the Cinecittà Studios became a hub for major international film productions, with classics like Roman Holiday being filmed in the city. The atmosphere blended historic charm—with its ancient domes and quiet morning cafés stirring with the scent of espresso and soft jazz—with a growing sense of modern energy and excitement.

These vintage slides, from Nicholas Massa, were taken by Earl Schmit on a trip through Europe, showcasing street scenes of Rome in November 1950.

Rome, Italy, November 1950

Rome. A tomb from the 1st century, Italy, November 1950

Rome. Arch of Constantine, Italy, November 1950

Rome. Castel Gandolfo, Italy, November 1950

Rome. Castel Gandolfo, Italy, November 1950

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35 Amazing Photographs Capture the Exterior of the Coliseum in Rome, Italy From the 19th Century

The 19th century was a pivotal period in the history of the Colosseum, marking a significant shift from its centuries-long use as a quarry and a source of building materials to a revered historical monument and a subject of systematic preservation.

After centuries of decay, earthquakes, and plundering, the Colosseum was in a state of serious disrepair. The 19th century saw a concerted effort to stabilize and restore the structure. Following a major earthquake in 1806, which caused significant damage, architects like Raffaele Stern, Giuseppe Valadier, and Luigi Canina began extensive work to secure the crumbling walls. They added large brick abutments to support the outer ring, particularly on the more damaged southern side. These interventions were crucial in preventing the monument’s further collapse and are still visible today.

The 19th century was also a time of heightened archaeological interest. Systematic excavations were conducted to uncover the Colosseum's long-buried subterranean features, known as the hypogeum. This underground network of tunnels, cages, and elevators, which was used to house animals and gladiators and to stage spectacles, had been filled with dirt and debris over centuries. The excavations, led by figures like Carlo Fea and Pietro Rossi, removed later medieval additions and revealed the true complexity of the ancient structure.

For centuries, the Colosseum had been used for various purposes, including as a fortress, a cemetery, a source of building materials for churches and palaces, and even a place with small shops and homes. However, in the 18th century, a papal decree had consecrated the arena as a holy site to honor Christian martyrs, which helped protect it from further quarrying. By the 19th century, this protection, combined with the new preservation efforts, solidified its status as a historical and cultural monument.

The 19th century was the era of the “Grand Tour,” and the Colosseum became an essential stop for travelers and intellectuals visiting Rome. It was seen as a symbol of the city’s ancient glory and a testament to the might of the Roman Empire. Writers and artists, including Charles Dickens, visited the monument, often romanticizing its moonlit ruins. This new role as a tourist attraction brought renewed attention and appreciation to the Colosseum's historical significance.

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Rome in 1976 Through Beautiful Vintage Photos

In the 1970s, the streets of Rome were a blend of the old and the new. Cobblestone streets stretched beneath the shadows of ancient ruins, while modern cars buzzed past. The air was filled with the aroma of espresso from street cafés, and the sound of scooters zipping through narrow alleys. People dressed in the sharp fashion of the time, with men in tailored suits and women in chic dresses, adding vibrancy to the city’s historic backdrop.

Piazzas were lively, with street vendors selling postcards and souvenirs. At the same time, the city’s history lingered in the form of grandiose monuments like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, still standing proud amid the bustle of daily life. These vintage photos were taken by drmuonfunk that show street scenes of Rome in 1976.

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35 Amazing Photochroms of Rome in the 1890s

In the 1890s, Rome was still adjusting to its role as the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, a transition that had begun with the capture of the city in 1870. The decade was marked by both growth and tension.

Urban development continued, with the city’s infrastructure expanding rapidly. New boulevards, such as Via Nazionale, were constructed, and the area around Termini Station grew into a bustling hub. These modernizing projects, however, often clashed with Rome’s ancient and medieval heritage, leading to debates over how to balance preservation with progress.

Here below is a collection of amazing Photochroms of Rome in the 1890s.

A panorama from the Palatine, Rome, Italy, circa 1890s

Amphitheatre of Tusculum, Rome, Italy, circa 1890s

Castle and bridge of St. Angelo, Rome, Italy, circa 1890s

Exterior of the Colosseum, Rome, Italy, circa 1890s

Forum Boarium, Rome, Italy, circa 1890s

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Wonderful Snowfall in Rome, 1985

In 1985 when a snowfall blocked the city starting from the day of January 6 when the Romans woke up and opening the windows discovered a Rome covered by 20 cm of snow. The city was completely hidden under a soft white blanket starting from the central districts of the city, from the Colosseum to the dome of St. Peter’s, from Spanish Steps to Navona Square up to the most peripheral districts.

Schools and shops remained closed, while Romans and tourists went out to walk the streets and squares enchanted by snow, transforming the Eternal City into a winter carnival. Everyone was smiling and joking, even the late workers. The children, who had never seen snow, were fascinated, and their parents were no less.

Young and old with the toboggan around the Colosseum and a sort of cross-country skiing was practiced along Via Condotti. So many snowball battles in the Spanish Steps, as in the whole city. At the Trevi Fountain, where tourists usually throw coins for good luck, snowballs were thrown that day.

For a few hours, that wonderful snowfall made everything magical, candid and as if suspended in time.

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Photos of Andy Warhol With His Boyfriend Jed Johnson and Friends in Rome, 1973

Jed Johnson was an artist and interior designer, and he became romantically involved with Warhol in the late 1970s. Their relationship was more low-key compared to Warhol's other famous relationships, which were often more widely documented in the media.

Sadly, Jed Johnson’s life was tragically cut short in 1996 when he died in a plane crash. At the time of the crash, Johnson had long since stopped being involved with Warhol, but the two had shared a period of mutual affection and respect.

Warhol’s relationship with Jed Johnson represents a quieter, more intimate chapter of his life, and it was marked by a sense of connection that differed from his other more infamous relationships. Here are several photos of Andy Warhol with his boyfriend Jed Johnson and their dachshund Archie, friends Arno Jürging, Paul Morrissey, Fred Hughes and Srdjan Zelenovic at Piazza Navona in Rome, 1973.

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Louis Armstrong and Lucille Brown on a Vespa in Front of the Ancient Colosseum in Rome, 1949

A timeless Jazz classic! During Louis Armstrong’s 1949 visit to Rome, a famous and iconic moment was captured in which Armstrong and his wife, Lucille Brown, were seen riding a Vespa in front of the ancient Colosseum. This image perfectly embodied the playful and adventurous spirit of Armstrong, blending his American jazz persona with the essence of post-war Italian culture. The photo was taken by American photographer Slim Aarons.

The Vespa, a symbol of Italian ingenuity and style, had just been introduced a few years earlier, in 1946, and became a symbol of freedom and modernity in Italy. The juxtaposition of Armstrong, one of the world’s most famous musicians, casually riding a Vespa alongside Lucille in front of one of Rome’s most ancient landmarks, the Colosseum, was both surreal and symbolic. It captured the fusion of old and new, tradition and modernity, much like jazz itself at the time.

In 1949, Louis Armstrong visited Rome as part of a European tour that marked a pivotal moment in jazz history. Armstrong, already an international jazz sensation, was warmly welcomed by enthusiastic audiences across Europe. His stop in Rome was significant not only for his performances but also for the broader cultural exchange it represented during a time when jazz was flourishing globally.

Armstrong played in various venues, captivating the Italian public with his signature trumpet sound and charismatic stage presence. His performance in Rome introduced many Italians to the vibrant spirit of American jazz, influencing local musicians and contributing to the jazz scene that was beginning to develop in Italy.

In addition to his concerts, Armstrong was celebrated by both the public and the media, and his presence in Rome was widely covered in the press. His visit in 1949, along with other European tour stops, helped cement Armstrong’s role as a global ambassador for jazz, making him one of the most beloved figures in music history.

This period also reflected Armstrong’s transition from being seen primarily as a jazz innovator to becoming a cultural icon, symbolizing the universal appeal of jazz across different cultures and borders.

25 Amazing Behind the Scenes Photographs From the Making of “The Way of the Dragon” (1972)

The Way of the Dragon (originally released in the United States as Return of the Dragon) is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film co-produced and directed by Bruce Lee, who also stars in the lead role. This is Lee’s only complete directorial film and the last one released during his lifetime. The film co-stars Nora Miao, Robert Wall, Wei Ping-ou and Chuck Norris (playing his debut screen role).

The Way of the Dragon was released in Hong Kong on December 30, 1972, and in the United States in August 1974. The film went on to gross an estimated US$130 million worldwide (equivalent to over $700 million adjusted for inflation), against a tight budget of $130,000, earning a thousand times its budget. It was the highest-grossing Hong Kong film up until Lee’s next film Enter the Dragon (1973).

The film is primarily set in a restaurant in Rome. The owners are being harassed by a local crime boss, and request help from a relative in Hong Kong. The help arrives in the form of a young martial artist. The conflict between the restaurant staff and the gangsters soon escalates.

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Rome in 1985 Through Amazing Photos

Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is also the capital of the Lazio region, the centre of the Metropolitan City of Rome, and a special comune named Comune di Roma Capitale. Rome is the country’s most populated comune and the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy. Its metropolitan area is the third-most populous within Italy.

Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, within Lazio (Latium), along the shores of the Tiber. Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) is an independent country inside the city boundaries of Rome, the only existing example of a country within a city.

Rome is often referred to as the City of Seven Hills due to its geographic location, and also as the “Eternal City”. Rome is generally considered to be the “cradle of Western civilization and Christian culture”, and the centre of the Catholic Church.

These amazing photos were taken by SJM_1974 that show street senes of Rome in 1985.

Piazza del Spagna, Rome, 1985

Capitol Square, Rome, 1985

Isola Tiberina, Rome, 1985

Monument Victor Emmanuel, Rome, 1985

Pantheon Square, Rome, 1985

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Ingrid Bergman and Her Daughter Isabella Rossellini in Rome, 1962

“Mamma was the daughter of a photographer and there was lot of her private material that had never been seen. When she died in 1982 there were not many film archives on actresses and some on directors.

“She knew she had cancer and it was fatal and I remember how she was putting all the photos and letters in order.

“I asked, ‘Why did you keep all this after moving from Sweden to America to Italy to France and England?’ And she answered to my surprise, ‘I always knew my life was going to be important.’ It was such an arrogant answer when Mamma was so humble.”