Remains of the Dead

This blog is dedicated to the many body parts and remains we have seen on our journey.

In Hungary (Budapest) they seem to be obsessed with the right side of the body only- St Stephan's foot and St Mattias' right hand. These body parts were nicely displayed  in arnate boxes, but we were able to view the foot clearly.

In Romania, they prefer to impale their victims by taking a dull spear (covered in pork fat) and drive it through the body from the bottom to the top openings, and hang the bodies upside down. This method ensured a slow and painful death while draining the blood from the body. This is how they confirmed the person was dead! BTW, Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) learned this from the Turks, where he was held friendly hostage as a boy/young man. 

In Bulgaria, they seem to be more descrete about their body parts. While in the Bachkovo Monastery, our new buddy and Monk-in-Training, Vladimir, showed us the index finger of St. Georghes. This was nicely displayed in a mother of pearl inlay wooden 18c box (hard to verify its authenticity).

In Turkey (Ephesus) they displayed the remains of Trajan's foot as part of the Fountain of Trajan from 104AD. There was also a left footprint carved into the stone floor from 2nd century showing that the brothel was down on the left side across from the Library of Celsus.

Just needed to write about some body part additions from Istanbul. Today, I visited the Topkapi Palace which included  relics such as a 7th century footprint, hair, beard of the prophets and St John's hand and St. Joseph's Skull! Sadly, no pictures were allowed!

Inside this urn is the right hand of St Stephen.

This is the right foot of St Mattias' foot. Pretty gross.

Vlad The Impaler's outfit for impaling. 

This is the foot of Trajan. I know it is hard to tell but it is from 104AD.

Left Foot at Ephesus showing the Brothel is on the left side!

In Bucharest, they just flash the world with the male body part!

To be continued.. May see some body parts to add in Istanbul!