Between 1728 and 1872, clergy members from Gangi, Sicily were mummified and displayed in the crypt of San Nicolò’s church. A poem eulogizing their life is framed above their niche. Each was given a full or partial wax death mask to preserve their features. Some of these exist today, others have disintegrated, revealing marks left by the embalming process. In 1932 M.C. Escher, an Italian professor and a Dutch archaeologist visited the Escher-esque streets of Gangi where streets are so narrow, steep, and winding there are alleys between switchbacks with ropes to assist climbing between them.

In the square in front of the church in Gangi a couple of street urchins asked them if they would like to see some dead priests. The urchins produced a large key, and surrounded by a shouting gang of boys, [they] descended the steps into the crypt. Almost all the walls were covered with rows of niches containing mummies. —M.C. Escher, His Life and Complete Graphic Work,

He took photos and later created a lithograph of four of the mummies.