Catacombs of Paris

As Catacombs of Paris, the former underground quarries under Paris are called. Part of it was used as an underground ossuary, which was created from 1785 as part of the closure of many Parisian parish cemeteries in the quarries on the left bank of the Seine in the 14th arrondissement.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, the remains were transferred from about 6 million inhabitants in the Parisian catacombs.

Quarries

Over a period of almost 2000 years the underground of Paris supplied both the stones that were required for the construction of the city, as well as plaster and clay. The degradation was carried out first in open mines, and since the 12th century increasingly underground, in a depth of 5 to 35 m. So, among almost all Paris districts (except the 1st to 4th ) an underground tunnel network of approximately 300 km in length. In addition, the side gears based on the official plans of the Inspection des Carrière (German General Inspectorate of quarries ) as Carrière inexplorée (German unexplored quarry ) will be performed, estimated at a length of about 100 km.

The dangers arising from the massive undermining of the city, meant that from 1600 the first steps were taken with the aim to fill the tunnels. However, the remained without consequences. It was only in accordance with a decision of April 30, 1772 the first plans were drawn up, and then the unexpected scale of the under the tariff wall ( double Mur des Fermiers généraux ) discovered cavities to massive complaints of the distressed population led.

On April 4, 1777 Inspection Générale des Carrière was launched. Even in 1782 wrote Sébastien Mercier: " In the plains Mont- Rouge neighboring one sees these wheels turn, have a diameter of 25 to 30 feet, and which exhaust the quarries. "

After securing the absence of voids in the degradation of the limestone of the ground had given way to various places and several streets were broken into, the quarries were closed shortly thereafter and henceforth used as an ossuary. Since that time, we call the former main entrance to the quarries and present official access to the catacombs (see below) also Barrière d' Enfer ( Hell barrier ).

Use for burial

End of the 18th century, another problem arose: The growing population, epidemics and famines led to overcrowding in the cemetery in Paris. The rest periods for deceased shortened noticeably because much room for new deaths had to be created. The Unearth only of half-rotted corpses led to catastrophic hygienic conditions. 1779 allegedly choked several inhabitants of the Rue de la Lingerie at the stench that wafted from the neighboring Cimetière des Innocents across. Thus regulatory agency decreed that this cemetery had to evacuate and close. The exhumed remains were transferred there from 1785 to the catacombs. Through a chute in the Avenue René Coty - they were drowned in the depth. Later, the cemeteries of St- Eustache de Paris and Saint- Landry were cleared. First, a little disorganized in the procedure, the gravediggers eventually began to pile up skulls and bones and give them by certain arrangement a decorative element. Plaques and wooden crosses marked the origin cemeteries.

Current situation

Today is a small part of the catacombs - about two miles - developed as a museum and open to visitors ( see Web Official Site ). The main part, however, remains inaccessible because it has been used for the installation of utility lines. One wing of the catacombs is one of the Banque de France, which has housed there the gold treasure of the French National Bank.

The entrance to the catacombs is publicly accessible on the Place Denfert -Rochereau. There, the descent down 130 steps into the ground. The temperature in the catacombs is 14 ° C. On the first visit points of the route former underground quarries can be visited. After passing the entrance to the charnel house piled bones and skulls are On further inspection points to be seen. After a climb more than 83 steps, the street level is reached again. The output is located in rue Rémy Dumoncel. For the commission of the two-kilometer route through the catacombs are open to the public approximately 45 minutes is required.

Cataphiles

The French word Cataphiles (Fr. " Katakombenliebhaber " ) refers to a subculture that explores the unsecured tunnels or illegal uses. Officials of the Paris police are specifically assigned for use in the underground.

Illegal researchers

To date, much of the underground facilities is ( which are not just about "real catacombs " are ) not fully explored and mapped. This hobby researchers deal. Although their activity is illegal, but a hard core of about 150 people is personally known to the police and enjoys a confidence that sometimes protects from prosecution. The results of such research are circulating in the scene and partly in the internet.

Underground culture

Another group of Cataphiles uses the underground facilities for illegal concerts, parties or even black masses. This " cultural events " are rigorously controlled, since they violate many policy ( such as fire protection, escape routes, etc.). Even with such illegal events in the past often worth preserving plants were damaged, desecrated ancient tombs or leave caves as a dumping ground.

Literature ( in chronological order )

• Emile Gérard Paris basement. Éditions SIDE, Vitry sur Seine, 1991, ISBN 2-84022-002-4 (Reprint ed d Paris 1908).
• Patrick Saletta: A la découverte of souterrains de Paris. SIDES, Antony, 1990, ISBN 2-86861-075-7.
• René Suttel: Catacombs de Paris et carrières. Promenade sous la capitale. Union Rempart, Paris, 1986, ISBN 2-9501258-0-8.
• Alain Gribel: Rue des Catacombs, Coté sud. Self Publishing, Paris 1995.

• Günter Liehr (text) and Olivier Faÿ ( photos): The underground of Paris. Place of smugglers, revolutionaries Kataphilen. Ch Links Verlag, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-86153-205-0.
• Peter Schwindt: Whispering Shadows ( Libri Mortis; Vol. 2). cbj fantasy, München 2010, ISBN 978-3-570-40057-9.