The catacombs of Paris are a network of tunnels that serve as a cemetery for miles of people from different eras. It is estimated that the remains of more than 6 million people may be buried in more than 300 kilometers of tunnels.

History

The history of the catacombs begins when these were not yet. In the beginning these tunnels served as limestone quarries to build a large part of the monuments and buildings that can be visited today. In this time the tunnels were called Les Carrières de Paris (the quarries of Paris).

In 1786, to combat the epidemics and diseases that plagued the population, it was decided to move the corpses and bones from different cemeteries in the city to the catacombs.

Of the 300 kilometers of excavated catacombs, only a small part can currently be visited.

Anecdotes of the catacombs

The catacombs of Paris were used during the Second World War by both the French and the Germans. Given the endless network of tunnels in the catacombs, they were perfect in times of war for many things. They were used by the French resistance when invaded by Germany. The tunnels served to hide and plan the next attacks against the Germans. They also served to escape after their attacks.

The Germans on their side used the catacombs as bunkers and as centers of operations. Today one of them is preserved and can be visited as a tourist spot.

Visiting the Catacombs

Although the visit to the Catacombs is quite a chilling experience, it is curious to see an infinite amount of human bones and skulls piled on top of each other forming vast constructions.

The Catacombs of Paris (in French, Les Catacombes) is one of the most famous cemeteries in Paris, capital of France. It consists of a network of underground tunnels and rooms located in what, during the Roman era, were limestone mines. The mines were converted into a common cemetery at the end of the 18th century. At present it is preserved as an ossuary that houses more than six million human skeletons, the largest concentration of this type in Europe.

His official visit includes the mines of the fourteenth district of Paris. But this part open to the public represents only 0.5% of the "underground quarries of Paris" (in French, les carrières souterraines de Paris) which are in the fifth, sixth, twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth districts. The visit of these races is prohibited by a ministerial order of November 2, 1955, although this illegal practice is still current.

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