Bavarian monastery displays ornate catacomb saints

In the Catholic monastery church of Banz near Bad Staffelstein in Bavaria, four skeletal remains—Vincenzius, Valrius, Benedictus and Felix Benedictus—are exhibited draped in silk, gold, silver, lace and precious stones. The bodies, known as “catacomb saints,” were brought from Rome in the late 17th and 18th centuries and are displayed on special occasions such as All Saints’ Day.

Priest Walter Ries explains that the lavish presentation reflects the post‑Thirty Years’ War era, saying, “It was at the end of the Thirty Years' War…people tried to open the gate to heaven…that’s why everything was designed so beautifully.” Custodian Anita Gottschlich adds that the skeletons are “a little creepy” but continue to attract visitors of all ages.

Catacomb saints, or “Holy Bodies,” are relics claimed to be early Christian martyrs from Roman catacombs. They were widely distributed across Baroque churches in Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia and Italy to enhance a church’s prestige and draw pilgrims.