By Julia Berlinger
The Remains of those in the Catacombs
Today we went down through the underground tunnels of Paris to explore the Catacombs. This was something I was really excited for going into the Study Tour. These underground tunnels are filled with the remains of more than six million people. The bones were taken from the cemeteries in Paris that were beginning to overflow. The first transfer of human remains was April 2nd, 1786. Remains were transferred from cemeteries to the underground tunnels over the course of two years. Our tour guide told us of ghost stories and how King Louis XVI had once traveled through the Catacombs. We followed the same black line on the ceiling that the king had followed out of the Catacombs. Our guide also told us of a Nazi bunker that was put in the underground tunnels once the Nazis heard of the resistance being underground. Walking through the Catacombs it was hard to believe that we were surrounded by over six million human remains. This was an experience that I will never forget and will hopefully be able to experience again.
I loved learning about catacombs when I was younger! Always have wanted to study and observe remains of people. Some people may say that its creepy, but I find it very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely jealous! Last semester one of my English courses studied "The Cask of Amantillado" by Edgar Allen Poe and ever since then I've wanted to check out the Catacombs. If you're unfamiliar with the story, underground tunnels in Italy (very similar in sense to the Catacombs) end up being the demise of a major character. Regardless, the history in these Paris tunnels surely is incredible to study. The fact that over 6 million humans being buried there would make the hairs on my neck stand up!
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible, I can't imagine what you felt what when you first walked in. I think I would feel overwhelmed by the number of bones but also by how large it is. I've seen many pictures of the catacombs and it's amazing how much of it is well thought out in terms of placement, everything appearing quite symmetrical and uniform. I read an article that police had come across someone that had built a fully functional movie theater in the catacombs which seems pretty cool! Here is the article if you'd like to take a read: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/08/filmnews.france
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of your experience! I have always wanted to go and see the Catacombs. I couldn't even imagine how you felt when you first walked in. I think it would be awesome to hear about the stories and really experience this first hand. The fact that you are surrounded by 6 million human remains is crazy and would probably make me freak out a bit! You are so lucky to have gone on this experience!
ReplyDeleteIt is so cool hat you got to see the Catacombs! I just finished watching a horror film about the Catacombs and that still hasn't made me not want to visit them. It's crazy that you were surrounded by all these human remains, but it's awesome that you got the whole historical background behind it, making it not so scary at all.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about Catacombs. Although this place has many sections, only the authorized section are open for visit. The unauthorized areas remain closed and many curious people have tried to visit these areas.
ReplyDeleteIn some pictures looking online it looks as though there are some areas of the catacombs that are lit by electricity.
your pictures were pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing I enjoyed it.
The first time I watched a movie about catacombs I thought about how interesting and kind of scary it would be to walk through it. Don't get me wrong I love everything that has to do with anything scary. I would of loved walking through the catacombs. Getting to have experiences like Study Tours and Study abroad programs really open your eyes to what is out there in the world. I hope to one day go exploring all around the world!
ReplyDeleteI have always found the Catacombs so interesting, but I would have trouble visiting due to claustrophobia- so I enjoyed seeing it through your photo and commentary. It is hard to believe that there are more than six million remains beneath a city. I remember reading that the tunnels are almost 200 miles long. Thank you for sharing your experience while visiting the Catacombs.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I heard about the Catacombs was in when I was reading a horror novel a couple years ago. This young man and his friends get lost inside and someone or something starts hunting them. It made for the perfect horror setting. I felt claustrophobic and panicky just reading it.
ReplyDeleteLol Anyway, ever since reading the story I've wanted to visit the Catacombs. Thanks for sharing your pics and story!
Omg ! i have recently received an email about this class, for the spring semester I think. Maybe it said fall cant remember. But I knew i should have just gone head and did it because I know this was probably the best experience ever. I have to look the Catacombs up, I never head about them before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewow, this picture is worth a thousand words. You've highlighted something so unique and interesting. The story you learned there seems unforgettable. I can just imagine your initial thought seeing all the bones and how curiosity instantly sparked asking what happened here. Thanks for sharing. Honestly, amazing.
ReplyDeleteRemains of 6 million people! Wow I did not even know this existed. I saw one comment by hazavehf stating there are unauthorized areas within the catacombs that remain closed. It peaks my interest as to why. Is there more history that they are trying to preserve?
ReplyDeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteCan you share what it felt like to see so many people's remains in those tunnels? I can imagine it must have been a little scary. Did anyone from the group decide not to participate?
This practice of digging up the skeletal remains of overcrowded cemeteries must have been common in Europe. When I was in Italy two years ago, I the Capuchin Crypts, where the remains of close to four thousand monks are displayed as art. I found it morbid, yet interesting.
ReplyDeleteOops! Continuation of previous comment-
ReplyDeleteWhile being surrounded by what was left of human beings, I was forced to reflect on my own mortality. The thought of walking among the remains of six million people is unimaginable. It seems that your study group was on the trip of a lifetime.
Before reading your post, which by the way was very informative and interesting, I did not hear about an of this. This seems like not only an amazing opportunity , but an amazing class! I would really like to look up and research catacombs now, in order to extend my learning. This is truly a part of global learning, which makes me happy to see outside of my class.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about the catacombs before! I really hope one day I can go to France and see them. Even though I would probably be terrified once I'm in there because there are definitely ghosts in there! I can't imagine being surrounded by 6 million people's remains. It makes me wonder if in the future, when our cemeteries start to overflow, we will do the same thing here in America. I also wonder what the King was down there for.
ReplyDeleteThat picture was intriguing and caught my eye. I would be fearful if I were to go through the tunnels and seen over 6 million remains. You must be really brave to go through the tunnel while the tour guide told ghost stories.
ReplyDeleteI learned about these on the history channel and have always wanted to see them in person. For some reason it always use to remind me of the movie "The Mummy Returns". But to be surrounded in a tunnel of human remains, it must feel surreal! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your blog. I found the catacombs to be very interesting. I can't believe they were made from over 6 million remains. I have been to Paris before and missed visiting the catacombs. I will have to put it on my list for the next time I am in Paris. I thought it was great that you shared some pictures, it helps one imagine what you had seen in person. Thank you for the great share!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! I have heard of the Catacombs and have always wanted to go when I visit Paris. Thanks for sharing pictures. I have also seen documentaries on the Catacombs, looks so interesting and definitely will put this on my to do list when I'm in Paris. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what this experience must have been like! What a piece of history you got to walk through! The pictures really helped me imagine what it must be like to be there, hopefully I will get to experience it myself one day.
ReplyDeleteJulia, I give you all the credit in the world. It is on my bucket list to travel outside of the United States and also to visit under ground caves, but I don't think I would be ever able to visit this site. I am a huge chicken when it comes to ghost stories and cemeteries. But truly, this had to have been a powerful experience that you will never forget, and I am lad you were able to visit and have this memory.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have watch a documentary on Catacombs. It must have been scary walking through the tunnels. I believe in ghosts so I would have been terrified.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be an amazing journey you were a part of. I hope one day I have the opportunity to experience a journey such as this one. I was left with a question of how did the people parish?
ReplyDeleteWow this is so cool! I cannot believe you traveled through the catacombs. I bet it was so creepy. It is crazy to think that there are remains of over 6 million people in there. How did it smell in the catacombs?
ReplyDeleteThis is really a one in a lifetime experience that I would now love to see myself. I never knew of this place and I believe it is awesome to see the remains of over 6 million people. This is definitely something you will never forget and be able to pass this story down through generations, because not many people get to experience things like this.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved this tour of the catacombs. I am interested in ghosts and the afterlife. It must have been so surreal seeing the large amount of human remains that were in the catacomb. I wonder if it felt eerie there. This is one experience you will definitely never forget.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many amazing things about the catacombs and have always wanted to visit them myself. It sounds like you had a great experience there! It is crazy that there are millions of human remains in there!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an amazing experience. The catacombs always makes me think of "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe. His stories are always so creepy yet interesting. I couldn't imagine walking through tunnels containing remains of millions of people. If I ever visit Paris, I'll be sure to go on a tour of the catacombs. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a whirlwind of an experience. I could not imagine doing this around Halloween time. It had to be a terrifying but knowledgeable experience! This is something I think I would normally skip on a vacation but after reading this blog, it has me very intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible experience! It is hard to believe that you were surrounded by that many remains, but even more hard to believe that above ground you would have no idea what's underneath your feet. It's so interesting how they were able to hide everything in that day. I'm sure it is something you will never forget. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to see the catacombs and the history behind them. I also would have never known it was 6 million remains underground. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you got to see the remains of the people in the Catacombs. I think that it would be kind of creepy to see in person, but also interesting due to the history around it. It also amazes me that so many remains are there and have been there for so many years. Thank you for sharing your experiencing!
ReplyDeleteWow, this truly looks like it was an amazing experience! Just the thought of walking through the catacombs gives me goosebumps. After reading your blog and seeing your picture, I definitely want to add this to my bucket list. This would be incredible to see in person.
ReplyDeleteWow this must have been an amazing experience! I could not even imagine seeing something like this in person! The picture you captured was absolutely breathtaking. You are so lucky to have been given the opportunity to see something like this. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThis story is so interesting. I've always heard of the Catacombs but reading you talk about what you experienced seems so moving. I never knew that they had the line the king followed down there. It sounds like you had a really amazing experience. I want to go to Paris so badly so this is something I hope I get to do.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post! I've heard of the Catacombs but I did not know they were called that. I hope to have the opportunity one day to visit the Catacombs. This must have been an amazing experience for you! Must have had chills down your spine while in there! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, I did not know that these ever existed underneath Paris. It must have been a really cool experience to travel through all of these tunnels, and something you'll never forget! I hope that you had a great trip and experience there!
ReplyDeleteSix million human remains, wow! That must have been an extremely eerie experience. Your description of the tunnels and its history together with the pictures of the remains within the tombs made for a captivating blog post!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to go to Paris with my family for years now and this is a spot that my mother wants to visit when we go. It looks like an incredible and humbling experience. I am excited to visit one day and take a tour though these catacombs for myself.
ReplyDeleteI thought this post was fascinating because I learned so much in such a little amount. For instance, I never knew that the bones of the catacombs were actually taken from overflowing cemeteries. I thought that was extremely interesting and it definitely makes me want to take a trip to Paris and experience it for myself.
ReplyDeleteWow, reading this post really makes me want to visit! I find great interest in historical things like this. The fact that they transfered the remains is so intereting to me. I can't imagine someone having to do that in today's world. Super interesting! Sounds like an aweosme expierence.
ReplyDeleteTapan
ReplyDeleteBeen to france but never made to this location. I would love to go there again and visit this place. I can't believe six million human remains and It definitely sounds a place to visit.
This must have been such an interesting experience. To think that there are over six million remains is crazy! This will definitely be a place to visit when I make it over to France. Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like one you will never forget!
ReplyDeleteThis truly seems like a once in a lifetime experience, but certainly an experience I would love to have. It is so interesting to think that you were following the same path as King James XVI that many centuries ago. Also, to think that there were the remains of 6 million people is chilling and eerie to think about. Thank you for sharing your experience. I enjoyed reading about it!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like an amazing and somewhat chilling experience, as the catacombs have always been something that interested me but all kind of creeped me out. I also did not know that the Nazis had a bunker in the catacombs during their occupation of France, which I found as an interesting piece of history !
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome! I would love to go somewhere and experience something like this. Following the same path that the kid did would be so cool to say you did.
ReplyDeleteThe catacombs are such an interesting part of the city! I truly love the pictures that you used! You were so descriptive in how you put the reader there in the catacombs with you. I love how your tour guide told the ghost stories of King Louis! The catacombs have always been on my bucket list to see and your post really just made me want to see them even more! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe catacombs have always been on my bucket list to visit and your descriptions really made me feel like I was there. Ghost stories are a fantastic idea for that space, and I wonder if they ever hold tours during Halloween. I never realized that there were that many remains under the surface of Paris!
ReplyDeleteThis is insane! Over 6 million peoples remains, I can only imagine what this was like to see in person. I usually would be one who might be nervous to visit the catacombs, but with the historical significance and background, there's no way I would turn away the opportunity! This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow! 6 million people's remains being left in these catacombs is crazy to wrap my head around. I could not imagine seeing human remains of one person, let alone millions. It was interesting to hear that you followed the same path as the king tho!
ReplyDeleteWow! 6 million people's remains being left in these catacombs is crazy to wrap my head around. I could not imagine seeing human remains of one person, let alone millions. It was interesting to hear that you followed the same path as the king tho!
ReplyDeleteEven looking at this, I get an eerie feeling. I'm sure you felt that 100% as soon as you walked in there. That's a lot of remains to be left in these catacombs, and you got to experience walking through them. It seems like you guys had an awesome trip and walked away with a lot of experiences and stories!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome to read this is something I have always wanted to see and experience.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been the craziest experience. But probably so cool as well. I have never heard of the catacombs, but it was great to read this blog!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe those are remains of 6 million people! At first when I looked at the picture, I could not make out what it was. I can tell that it must have felt a little scary in there. Although it seems like an eerie place to visit, I would definitely want to go there based on the historical significance! -Bethany M
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that this was even being done. I can only imagine that the tunnels looked like with that many remains in it.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that I never knew about, and almost find it hard to believe that it is a thing. To think that you are in a area where there are 6 million deceased people with their bones visible. To think that this is where they started to store bones of people that have died is crazy to really think about. I feel like if I was in this area I would almost get a very weird feeling in my chest and almost become scared and be frightened.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is incredibly interesting to me just to read, and one day i would definitely love to tour the catacombs. Before reading your blog, I was unaware of what catacombs were and personally, I find things like this very interesting and can see myself looking more into this by doing research and watching videos on it.
ReplyDeleteI’ve listened to stories about The Catacombs and it’s always sounded like a very morbid, claustrophobic place to me. Thank you for sharing your own story, and for explaining a bit of the history behind The Catacombs. I wasn’t aware that there were so many sets of remains there, or why they were down there. You said that remains started being transferred to The Catacombs in 1786 and I know that the French Revolution began a few years later. Do you know if there is any connection between these events?
ReplyDeleteThe Catacombs is a once in a lifetime place to visit. I feel if I went there once I would not want to go back for many reasons. First, to pay respect for the remains of those who are living in the catacombs and also because I would not be able to see skeletal remains a second time.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave. The catacombs hold a great history, but I could not even image going through them. All of the bones of the Jew that died during the holocaust would creep me out tremendously. Although, I would be interested in the giant history that have been told about the Catacombs. I'm glad that you got to experience this.
ReplyDeleteBryce Harris