The remarkably well-preserved remains of a 16th-century Catholic saint, who passed away nearly five centuries ago, left viewers in awe when her body was publicly displayed in Spain over the weekend – the first time it has been seen since 1914. The body will remain on display until 25 May.
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also referred to as Saint Teresa, died in 1582. Her remains were exhumed from a Spanish church in August, and experts were astonished by the exceptional condition of her body.
Large crowds gathered at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, a town in the province of Salamanca (Castilla y León), on Sunday, to witness the saint’s body, presented in a silver coffin housed within marble. Observers noted her face remained ‘clearly visible’ and her limbs appeared ‘incorrupt’.
A body being described as ‘incorrupt’ means that it hasn’t undergone the normal process of decomposing after death.
Her near-perfect preservation has led many to regard her as a symbol of divine intervention, and the opening of her coffin last year gave researchers a chance to investigate the ailments she suffered during her life.
Her body was unearthed by Marco Chiesa, General Postulator of the Order, at the Diocese of Ávila on 28 August.
Church representatives shared the development on social media, prompting Catholic followers to remark: ‘Her body is still incorrupt. Look for God’s miracles.’
When the tomb was unsealed, medical experts compared modern observations with black-and-white photographs of her face and foot taken in 1914. However, Chiesa acknowledged that making a direct comparison was difficult due to the lack of colour in the older images.
Although these earlier photos have not yet been made public, there are plans to eventually release them.
Chiesa said, ‘There is no colour, there is no skin colour, because the skin is mummified, but it can be seen, especially in the middle of the face. It can be seen well. The expert doctors can see Teresa’s face almost clearly.’
Saint Teresa is known as the patron of several groups, including chess players, lace makers, orphans, those seeking divine grace, members of religious orders, the pious who face ridicule, and the ill.
A Spanish nun by origin, she became the first woman to be elevated to doctor of the church in 1970, an honour given to deceased saints for their significant contribution to the church’s doctrine. St Teresa was canonised – meaning she was declared a saint – in March 1622.
Now, researchers aim to understand why her body has resisted decay for so long, hoping their findings might offer insights into how sacred relics could be preserved going forward.
To safeguard her remains, the Diocese has implemented strict security procedures. Accessing the saint’s coffin requires ten separate keys.
Three are in the custody of the Duke of Alba, three with the authorities of Alba de Tormes, and three more are held by the Discalced Carmelite Father General in Rome.
The final key, referred to as the King’s key, is essential to gain access. In total, three keys are needed to unlock the outer gate, three for the tomb itself, and the remaining four to open the coffin.
The remains were moved to a secured chamber, where doctors and scientists have begun non-invasive procedures, including visual inspection, photography and X-rays.
Samples have been dispatched to an Italian laboratory, and officials expect it will take several months before any findings are ready for release.
Among the discoveries so far are calcareous spines found on the saint’s feet – pointed bony projections akin to structures seen in starfish and sea urchins. Experts interpret these as reflective of her spiritual dedication.
Teresa also endured convulsions, gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and episodes of unconsciousness. In her writings, she defended her mystical experiences, attributing her physical symptoms to her spiritual connection with God.
Chiesa said: ‘We know that the last years were difficult for her to walk, in the pains that she herself describes. Analysing the foot in Rome, we saw the presence of calcareous thorns that make it almost impossible to walk.’
In 1582, around the age of 67 and suffering from illness, Teresa embarked on a journey to Alba de Tormes accompanied by Anne of St. Bartholomew to visit a longtime friend.
Despite her deteriorating health, Chiesa said, her ‘desire was to continue and move forward, despite the physical defects’.
Upon reaching the convent, she became gravely ill. Three days later, she told Anne: ‘At last, my daughter, I have reached the house of death.’
The last time her coffin had been opened was in 1914, when Father Clemente de los Santos, then superior general of the Discalced Carmelites, expressed a desire to see the founding saints’ bodies during his trip to Spain.
At that time, the Diocese of Ávila declared her body ‘completely incorrupt’, consistent with its condition when it was initially examined in 1750.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.
Hoy he tenido el privilegio de vivir un momento histórico y profundamente emocionante en Alba de Tormes: la veneración del cuerpo incorrupto de Santa Teresa de Jesús, que podrá visitarse hasta el 25 de mayo.
Como devoto de la santa, he leído sus escritos y recorrido sus pasos.… pic.twitter.com/mbIWP09GnV
— Alfonso F. Mañueco (@alferma1) May 11, 2025
El cuerpo de Santa Teresa, fallecida en 1582, se muestra al público por primera vez tras 111 años en la Basílica de la Santa en Alba de Tormes (Salamanca), un acontecimiento que solo se ha producido en dos ocasiones anteriores https://t.co/jbrkIR79AP pic.twitter.com/0W8HrOWvF8
— Europa Press (@europapress) May 11, 2025
Please support Spain in English with a donation.
Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.
