The Parisian Catacombs
 Catacombes de Paris by Jorge Láscar
In earlier years, Paris’ cemeteries were too full. Many partially buried corpses were exposed to the air, causing a horrible stench and spreading deadly disease throughout the city. To address this growing issue, underground tunnels were used as tombs for masses of loved ones passed on. These catacombs now house up to 6 million skeletons and can be accessed directly under the streets of Paris.
Paris officials selected an old stretch of disused stone mine near the mouth of Barrière d'Enfer, (Gate of Hell) which served as an entrance into the city. Bodies were moved from decaying or overstuffed cemeteries to the new catacombs, where they were often laid out in designs that made art out of death. Created from 1774 to 1786, the catacombs were almost instantly forgotten once filled. It was rediscovered in the early 1800’s and used as a fashionable venue to hold private events and concerts. In 1874, the catacombs were opened to the public, and have been a source of fascination ever since. |
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