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The Catacombs of Paris: a shuddering tour

The fear of cemeteries is common, probably because we are intimidated by the idea that death is in these places.We may be afraid to meet some ghost, specter or any creepy being, but what would you say if Could you see the skeletons of the thousands of people resting in the ? It may sound crazy but the opportunity exists, you just need to visit this particular “museum”.

The history of the Catacombs

The problem of overpopulation of the cemeteries in some regions of Paris, France around the 18th century , was highly critical.At that time only the rich could afford burials in the cemetery central, so that the poor dead were buried in a kind of common grave , when these graves were filled they were only covered and rebuilt one upon another, so the decomposition of the corpses accelerated and the stench they gave off began to flood the streets, bringing with them epidemics and diseases to the citizens.

The Catacombs of Paris: a shuddering tour

Watercolor Detail of V ictor Hartmann, Catacombs of Paris (19th century), shows Hartmann, Vasily Kenel and a guide holding a lantern.

The inhabitants of this region began to fail such practice and by the end of the century, the lieutenant Alexandre Lenoir had the idea of ​​using an old system of mines that extended along the “Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy” (Avenue of the Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy) where limestone used to be extracted, intended for the construction of large monuments and buildings.

"Les Carrieres de Paris" (The quarries of Paris) were used to form the famous catacombs , being established by the lieutenant general of the police, Thiroux de Crosne, and the inspector general of the mines Monsieur Guillaumont, in 1786 .

The consummation of a tetric idea

The remains that had been transferred to The mines in August 1788, came from the cemetery of "Saint Nicholas des Champs" and belonged to the deaths that took place in the riots of Place de Creve, Hotel of Brienne and Rue Mesiee.

Approximately one year was needed to finish moving the bodies to their last resting place, activity that took place during the nights; the carriages had managed to transport around 6 million bodies , finishing the project in the year 1870 .

The Catacombs of Paris: a shuddering tour

Swim,« Catacombs of Paris »(1861)

The culture of Paris naturally requires using the elements of its environment as different forms of art , due to this the ones in charge of the project managed to make murals , altars, crosses and other figures peculiar with the human remains .The series of skulls and bones give shape to a system of tunnels underground of approximately 300km, where the immense walls from bones of different epochs have formed a very interesting passage to see.

The mystery in the deep streets of Paris

Currently, only a certain part of e these tunnels are open to the public , as it was discovered that black magic rituals were carried out within the catacombs, so the place is not considered one of the most visited tourist sites in the region.

It is said that there are some tickets around the Avenue that allow access to all those curious who They want to see more of what the guided tour can provide.

The Catacombs of Paris: a shuddering tour

Paris Catacombs

It is well known that, in this place part of the group of the French resistance was established during World War II, who took advantage of the place as a hiding place.

There are people who claim to have had supernatural experiences when visiting this site, such as apparitions, the feeling that someone is watching or following them during their tour.

It could be some superstition or maybe the souls of the dead have not found rest.What do you think? Would you like to go deep into this site? ? Tell us what you think of this theoretical cemetery.

If you liked this article, you might want to know the 5 most beautiful cemeteries in the world.

Images: Tommie Hansen, Martin Cox.

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