Pascualita: wedding dresses shop dead bride

Behind the glass window of a little shop of wedding fashion in the Mexican city of Chihuahua is tall, slender figure, dressed in a wedding dress. For nearly 90 years, this extremely realistic mannequin in the Popular La welcomes visitors who come here from all over America and Europe. Pale skin, streaked veins of the hands, creases on the palms and nicked nails — all this gives visitors the confidence that Pascualita, as it is called in the people, not just a mannequin but a perfectly preserved embalmed corpse.

Pascualita, or "little friend pascuala", first appeared in the window of this famous wedding shop March 25, 1930. Wide open glass eyes, real hair and the blush of the dummy introduced to a screeching halt as passers-by and employees of the store. Soon someone noticed a striking resemblance dummy c of the recently deceased daughter of the owner of shop. Rumors.

According to legend, Pasquali Esperanza, the hostess of the shop, had a very beautiful daughter (whose name is lost in history). The girl was about to marry his beloved. In a tragic accident on the wedding day she was bitten by a black widow spider, and she died. Of Pascual Esperanza was so sad because of the death of his daughter, supposedly mummified her body and installed in the window, so she was always a bride in the afterlife, unable to match her in the earth.

Rumors spread, local residents were outraged, and the owner of the store began receiving threatening phone calls. Of Pascual Esperanza denied it. The woman claimed that Pascualita was just very well made and complex dummy. But it was too late: nobody believed her story.

As the years went by the story got more and more incredible details. For example, told me that he is in love with a mannequin French MAG was at night, revived her and they danced all night, drank and celebrated their short date. I also heard horror stories about that mannequin is watching out for the visitors and changes position when no one is looking.

"Every time I pass Pascualita, I get sweaty palms. She has a very realistic hands and even have varicose veins in the legs. I believe this is a real person," says one of the store employees.

The present owner of salon Mario Gonzalez is committed to the legend of the dead bride lived. Twice a week she changed the outfit behind drawn curtains, as a tribute to her modesty. Only a few trusted employees of the store can dress and undress her. One employee who saw her naked, said that her body not like the body of a mannequin.

True fans of the legend leave flowers, candles and other gifts at the entrance to the store. Some believe Pascualito Holy and believe in miracles that supposedly happen at her feet.

Mario Gonzalez is happy with the fame and the crowds of customers that Pascualita leads to the store, and is not going to change anything. The showcase, which features the famous bride-to-be written "La Casa De Pascualita" — "House Pascualita".

When asked whether the bride is a mummy, he just smiled and shook his head. "Is this true? Many people believe that, but I can't say," replied the owner of the salon.