With Thousands of Human Skulls and Skeletons, the Paris Catacombs Were Home to Sects and Gangs as Well as a Movie Theater

Although this is one of the most petrifying attractions of Paris, it has got something irresistibly fascinating. And even though they were built to deal with the problem of shrinking graveyard areas, it was not only the dead who would stay in there.

Today, although it is still as impressive as it was 100 years ago, it is much quieter that it used to be. And believe me, some of the scenes were strikingly similar to things we see in grim fairy tales or even horror movies.

The Paris catacombs were built in the 16th century because the city had been running out of cemetery space. It was common to come across an old grave (sometimes a few hundred years older) while digging a new one. Not only did such situation stir a lot of controversy, but it also resulted in the spread of hazardous disease. So local authorities eventually decided to do something about it.

As there was no more space on graveyards, the people of Paris decided to build an underground structure. And this is how the network of tunnels full of human remains was created. It is estimated that as many as 6 million people were buried there.

With time, however, the place became something more than an underground cemetery. Something much more sinister and horrifying…

The underground network of dark tunnels soon became a shelter for a variety of criminals, sexual perverts as well as bored rich people seeking for a rush of adrenaline. The place is also rumored to have been home to a number of gangs and satanic sects which held their dark rituals there. There was also an eccentric movie theatre as well as a brothel, where the guests could have a good time with women, mostly alive ones. The catacombs attracted, terrified and disgusted.

Currently most of the catacombs are closed and unavailable for tourists. The part which is open for visitors has got no trace of the ‘exotic attractions’ – only plenty of skulls and bones you can look at for hours. As long as you are brave enough…