Man made dungeons of the world

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Emperor Napoleon III also took guests to the tunnels near Paris. And after 2 km of underground passages were equipped for visits, they became the most famous catacombs in the world, whose gloomy corridors inspire directors, writers and game developers. However, such an underground city, literally underfoot, can be found in many other countries.

Catacombs of rome

Rome

More than 60 catacombs with a total length of about 150 km are hidden under the Eternal City. Most of them are located along the ancient Appian Way. It is believed that many of the catacombs were built by Christians during the time of persecution. The underground galleries are decorated with frescoes and mosaics with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Some catacombs are supplied with electricity and are open to the public.

Znojmo catacombs

Znojmo

The construction of the catacombs began around the 14th century. It was decided to build an underground network of passages to protect residents during military conflicts. The existing basements of houses were connected by galleries, creating almost an entire underground city with wells, food storage facilities and traps for enemies. The inhabitants of all Znojmo could hide in the catacombs, and there were enough food supplies to wait out even a long siege.

London catacombs

London

In addition to the London underground, under the city is an endless network of galleries, erected in different eras. Depending on their location, they had a very different purpose: from a cemetery to a traditional underground shelter. Some of the more famous are located adjacent to Camden Market and pass under the freight yard on Primrose Hill. They once served as pony stalls that were used to sort the wagons. Nowadays, Victorian galleries have been transformed into vintage shops with antique furniture, accessories and clothing.

Odessa catacombs

Odessa

Despite the fact that these catacombs are considered the youngest, they are also the longest in the world. They appeared as a result of the extraction of shell rock. The network of corridors stretches for many, many kilometers, and due to the fact that the development of deposits continues to this day, the tunnels continue to grow. Their approximate length is estimated at 2500-3000 kilometers. More images can be viewed at Image hosting.

Catacombs of san francisco cathedral

Lima

An integral part of the cathedral and monastery of St. Francis of Assisi, built in 1774, is a network of underground tunnels. Following the tradition of burying the dead on the territory of churches, they began to use it as a cemetery. They were buried under the monastery until 1808, when a cemetery was built outside the city. Researchers estimate that about 70,000 burials were made in the catacombs. In addition to the crypts, the catacombs have secret passages connecting with the holy tribunal.

Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha

Malta

Since in the Roman Empire it was forbidden to bury people within the city, the quarries of the cities of Mdina and Rabat were adapted into cemeteries. The walls of the catacombs were covered with limestone powder, which created its own microclimate with constant temperature and humidity. According to legend, it was here that the Apostle Paul prayed, shipwrecked off the coast of Malta. In 1998, the catacombs were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Catacombs of the Sacromonte Abbey

Granada

The abbey was founded in 1600 on the Valparaiso hill. During the Roman Empire, rock was mined here, and the remaining workings became the underground part of the abbey. The place is shrouded in many legends. According to one of them, it was in these catacombs that the remains of Saint Cecilia were found. Subsequently, he was declared the patron saint of Granada, and on the first Sunday in February, a holiday is held in his honor.

Catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral

Vein

The church, built in the mid-14th century, was erected on the site of an ancient cemetery dating back to Roman times. In 1732, Emperor Charles VI prohibited burials in cemeteries inside the city walls. From that moment on, the dead began to be buried underground, including in the crypts under St. Stephen's Cathedral. Until Joseph II ordered an end to the underground burial grounds, about 11,000 people were buried under the cathedral. The bodies of prominent figures of Austria of different eras, more than 70 members of the royal family of the Habsburgs, rest here, and the highest hierarchs of the Austrian church are still buried in the bishop's crypt.

Catacombs of Kom el-Shukaf

Alexandria

Until 1900, no one suspected the existence of these catacombs, until the earth accidentally collapsed over them. According to archaeologists, the catacombs are about 1,500 years old. Mostly underground galleries were used for burials. The lower part of the tunnels remains unexplored to this day, as the tiers are flooded with groundwater. Since 1995, the catacombs have been open to the public.