The Catacombs of Paris

In the 18th century, due to major health and sanitary problems, the contents of various cemeteries were transferred to an underground site under Paris. At the beginning of the 1800 the site became open to visitors.

Visiting this place brings different feelings about life and death. Seeing such a quantity of bones, and of people coming from all kinds of backgrounds, normalises death in a way.

 

At the same time, there is an interesting historical, cultural, social, scientific, and artistic aspect to it.

 

This large pool sample of skeletons also helps understand how Parisians lived and what kind of health problems were present at the time. Still, one cannot help but feel fascinated and uncomfortable at the same time.