A Crisis of Space
By the late 18th century, Paris faced a problem: its cemeteries were overflowing. The Cemetery of the Innocents, the city’s largest burial ground, was particularly notorious for its overcrowding, causing public health concerns as bodies were buried in mass graves.
A Bold Solution
In 1786, authorities decided to move the remains to an abandoned limestone quarry beneath the city. Workers transported the bones in carts under the cover of darkness. The process began with the Cemetery of the Innocents and continued for decades, transferring bones from other cemeteries until 1860.
The Ossuary is Created
The bones were arranged in the catacombs with a certain order: femurs and skulls were stacked along the walls, forming patterns. The site officially opened to the public in 1809, revealing the underground ossuary, containing the remains of over six million people.
A Fascinating Labyrinth
Stretching over 200 miles, the catacombs are now mostly off-limits, except for a small section open to visitors. Despite restrictions, urban explorers, or “cataphiles,” continue to enter the tunnels, drawn by the mystery and history of the underground world.
Bones Beneath the Boulevards: The Paris Catacombs ☠️
A Crisis of Space
By the late 18th century, Paris faced a problem: its cemeteries were overflowing. The Cemetery of the Innocents, the city’s largest burial ground, was particularly notorious for its overcrowding, causing… pic.twitter.com/PoFwks8aPG— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TBBOB2) August 30, 2024