Haunted Paris Catacombs, the City of Bones- Explore at your own risk!

     The City of the Dead awaits you, ironically below the City of Lights, Paris. Paris, France is a beautiful and thriving city.  It wasn't always that way.  It, like most places, has it's own history, dark past and many stories. I have always been fascinated by the Paris Catacombs, or the "L'Empire de la Mort," meaning "Empire of the Dead," as it is called. That seems to be a fitting name. They claim, like a multitude of other places, all over the world, to be among the top haunted places in the world. Upon seeing the labyrinth of human bones, it's not hard to believe that there could be restless spirits, wandering the catacombs, lost within the mazes.  Officials began placing the remains of the dead French people there in the late 18th century.  Over time, they have been rearranged into what is regarded now as an incredible metaphorical work of art. There are even dozens of you tube videos claiming to have captured ghosts that roam the labyrinth of bones.  There are countless articles on the ghost legends, and I'm going to explore them with you!  This is a place that will satisfy your spookiest cravings.  There is even a Pere Lachaise walking tour that runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

Entrance sign for Catacombs

     The Catacombs of Paris are a network of tunnels and caves that run for more than 190 miles (300 km) under the city, making it a bad, even dreadful, place to ever get lost, to say the least.  The Romans were actually the first to quarry the limestone in the area in 60 B.C.F., however, they were the open air quarries-they just dug out the rock that was exposed.  As the city grew and covered the landscape, tunneling would be necessary to acquire more building materials. In 1180 C.E., Philippe Auguste became King and was the major proponent of tunneling to quarry in order to build ramparts to protect the city.  It was under his rule that this tunnel network would be born.

     The quarries expanded in size and complexity and produced building materials for centuries to come. Though, as this continued, it wasn't thought through.  In the 18th century, the city of Paris, with the weight of it's buildings, continued to grow was the ground became for hollow underneath.  Then the problems began. There were too many buildings combined with too much greed and too little thinking ahead. Some of the buildings began to collapse and fall into the earth that was opening up below them.  On April 4, 1777, the Inspection Generale des Carmes was formed to manage, fill in, or close sections of the tunnels that were unmistakably dangerous.

Map of the Catacombs

     The second problem arose for the Parisians during the 18th century.  The graveyards were getting extremely full. The Cimetiere des Innocents (Cemetery of the Innocent) alone held more than thirty generations of human remains.  People would pay the parish priest to bury their dead there. The priests didn't want to refuse money.  Offering burial in their cemeteries was a source of income for churches.  As a result, they would take in more bodies than they had room for.  Large pits were dug for those who couldn't afford a proper grave, to make room for well paying customers.  When these mass graves were full, they would fill them up and open another. 

Bodies in the streets

Mass grave

     The emerging, quickly growing city had closed in around cemeteries and there was no place to go but up. Near the end of the "life" of several of the cemeteries, the ground swelled more than 10 feet above the road.  The pungent odor was overwhelming to those who lived near the graveyard or passed by.  Some cemetery walls actually broke open, spilling rotting bodies onto the street.  Soon after, epidemics spread and people started dying from the pestilence spread by the corpses.  Something had to be done, the disease  was spreading and the smell was horrid.  Finally, mass burial in the city was banned all together.  The decision was made to start emptying the cemetery and to place the bones into the network of tunnels under the city.  In 1785, when the bones were moved to the underground network, the quarries became the Catacombs.  The first quarry to receive bones was called, "Carriere de la tombe Issoire."

depiction of arranging the bones in Catacombs

      As you are probably more than away, especially if you are a fan of ghosts and the supernatural, disturbing the dead tends to be a bit universally taboo.  Most cultures believe that you should just leave the dead alone, for countless reasons.  There are a ton of ceremonies and rituals to help loved ones pass onto the afterlife, all over the world. These bodies weren't exactly "laid the rest" respectfully.  They were heaped into overflowing cemeteries, many just tossed into mass graves with no regard or respect. When their corpses fell out onto the streets, again they were disturbed. Then, they were all moved to the Catacombs. Bones were later rearranged into a macabre work of art. I'd say there are probably a lot of souls that are a bit irked to say the least.  

bones, bones, bones

graffiti probably doesn't make the ghosts any happier

     In the Catacomb museum, in the Montparnasse section of Paris, you will go in and walk 130 stairs down a spiral staircase, 20 meters below the surface.  There are rooms with photographs containing images of ancient graffiti photographs containing images of ancient graffiti from within the catacombs, as well as some of the below-ground structures.  Then, you step into the actual Catacombs.  The ceiling varies in height from as low as 6 feet to as high as 12 feet high, with dim lighting, as I'd expect.  Ambiance! There is a sign at the entryway that reads, "Arrete! C'est ici L'Empire de la Mort," meaning, "Stop! Here is the Empire of the Dead."  Large stacks of human bones and skulls greet those who enter with hollow, foreboding stares.  Within the entire Paris Catacombs, there are more than six million bodies stored- only bones now of course. 

     In different sections of the Catacombs, there are ornate patterns formed by skulls, leg and arm bones.  Skulls form patterns within stacks such as crosses, hearts, arcs, and others.  It is impressive, intricate, symmetrical and very macabre. I wonder how it felt stacking all of those bones.  Seeing as dumbing millions of dead people's remains down a 20 meter hole is pretty darn disrespectful, they say the arrangements were a way to give some dignity to the deceased.   In other sections of the Catacombs, you have to crawl across stacks of bones.  What a bizarre feeling that must be. A lot of the Catacombs is closed off the the public now but there are ways around it.  

another "arrangement" 

A security guard non-identified had said, "Some people go down and are very afraid after seeing the bones.  Some say they hear things. Voices." I don't blame them!

     These souls sacrificed their eternal resting ground so than the city of Paris could grow, flourish and prosper, which it did. Noblemen's bones are intertwined with peasants, families and skeletal remains may be crushed with their ancestors' bones, and you can walk through this.  What a fascinating history! 30 generations speak to each passerby, in one collective voice.  Some people argue that the Catacombs are not haunted because there were no actual deaths there, so there cannot be ghosts.  I don't believe this to be entirely true after doing more research. There are a lot of different stories of occurrences in the catacombs that challenge that theory. Many believe that because over 6 million Parisians remains were disturbed in their resting places and put in what is now "The Catacombs" there may be ghosts roaming the ancient subterranean stone quarries of Paris.  

a ghostly image?

     Over the centuries, the catacombs have been visited by many, including both French and German soldiers during World War II.  There are tales of death and murders that have taken place deep within the hidden catacombs of Paris.  Many visitors claim to have "felt" strange things when they have been in the catacombs.  Feelings like they were being followed and in some cases, even touched by some unseen force.  Other visitors have reported seeing shadow figures or spectors deep within the stacks and rows of skulls and bones.  Undoubtedly, the disturbance of all those souls to be brought there has left many spirits unsettled.  

     Paranormal researchers, such as the Ghost Adventures, visiting the Catacombs of Paris have captured strange EVP recordings, as well as photographs of strange, unexplained lights or orbs as well as misty images appearing on film. Ghost Adventures with Zak Bagans, the lead paranormal investigator, did a special on the Paris Catacombs called "The NetherWorld." They explored the "off limits" sections, with the help of a Cataphile.  A Cataphile is a person who goes to the Catacombs, illegally.  They do enjoy giving "off-limits" tours to those daring enough to go. They explored, trying to verify any truths behind certain stories, such as the lost cameraman in the catacombs, whose footage was found later on, perhaps of his last breaths.  Also, there was a doorkeeper of the Val-de-Grace hospital during the French revolution, who was found dead, 11 years after he disappeared. It is unknown how Philibert Aspairt met his demise in the Catacombs in November 1793, after venturing into them through a staircase in the hospital. The monks used to store liquor there and some say he might have been trying to steal some and was killed. No one really knows.  His body was discovered in 1804 in one of the quarry gallows, and was buried where it was found.  It is said he still walks the Catacombs. Maybe he is still in search of that last drink he didn't get. 

such design precision

     Zak and the team of Ghost Adventures experienced all kinds of interesting phenomena. They went into some small chambers, some where they had to crawl over bones.  They had heavy feelings of sadness, heard noises and felt strong energy.  Zak called is one of the most emotional places he had been in and had to get out, because he felt so overwhelmed. They had rigged a few cameras to keep recording in the direction they walked, to catch any paranormal occurrences if they occurred while they explored. When they went to leave, the 2 cameras were gone. Did random Cataphiles take them? Or were their curious ghosts that "spirited" the cameras away? They were able to capture some images on the camera they used while exploring though. It captured the ghost of a seemingly old saint or someone else wearing a black hooded robe. Zach even saw a hand that disappeared when he tried to touch it.  

Zack with Ghost Adventures

     Zack and his crew examined the footage left behind by the missing cameraman from the early 1990's. No one knows what really happened to this man and it's really hard to find information about him. I could not locate a name or records. The infamous YouTube video shows the man exploring the Catacombs alone, with only a camera as a companion. Then it shows what appear to be his last moments alive, like he was knocked down and dragged off perhaps. Getting lost in the dark labyrinth of the Paris Catacombs would no doubt be terrifying as well as dangerous and potentially fatal.  But this cameraman decided to take the risk and explore solo.  He descended into the subterranean world below the busy Paris streets, never to be seen again.  He walked deeper and deeper, filming every step and turn.  He seemed to panic and get lost in the maze of bones.  The camera continued to film even when he appears to have fallen or dropped it, until it ran out of film.  The footage was found by some urban explorers who went down into the Catacombs and found the camcorder laying on the ground.  The battery was discharged and the tape was full. There was no body to be found. What happened to this mystery man? Was he the victim of foul play? Or was he overcome with vertigo and injured himself ? Does his spirit still wander the tunnels, lost?

Here is the video that the lost man took, and you can decide.Click below:
The Lost Man Footage

Bones like what Zack and his team had to crawl over

In 2011, 3 french youth were rescued there after 2 days of being lost.  They left notes for their rescuers as they sought an escape route.  They got lost while exploring the Catacombs with friends. The tunnels are too deep for cell phone coverage, so they got lucky.  How many people have gotten lost and not been so lucky?  

very cool and macabre arrangement 

     Ghost photos and eerie feelings are often reported from many visitors.  Ghosts are often said to be felt more than witnessed eye to eye. Many people have been grabbed or have felt a ghost touching them, even grabbing their hands and clothes.  Some of the many visitors are often said to be overcome and often pass out from fear or the presence of actual ghosts that attach themselves to those that walk the halls. Several report seeing a group of shadows in one area of the catacombs, as the living walk along, the dead follow in complete silence.  To some, the experience is completely overwhelming, even paralyzing, and tours have been cut short by the growing sense of unease.  Photos have revealed orbs and ghostly apparitions, and EVPs have been recorded throughout the vaults. And there are many ghost photos. 

tunnel of bones

     The Catacombs were also featured on "The Scariest Places on Earth" on the Sci fy channel.  There's more of a dark history than some even realize. I had to do some digging. I do believe that the Paris Catacombs could be a very haunted place. It fits the bill. Back during the French revolution, people were actually buried directly in the Catacombs, including members of the Swiss guard killed in the storming of the Tuileries Palace on August 10, 1792, as well as the victims of the massacres on September 1792.  The remains of victims of the guillotine transferred there from their original burial plots as well, along with the remains of several famous writers in that time period- all mixed together. In 1871, Communards killed a group of Monarchists in one chamber. During World War II, Parisian members of the French Resistance used the tunnel system. Also, during this period, German Soldiers established an underground bunker in the Catacombs below Lycee Montaigne, a high school in the 6th arrondissment. 

graffiti artist

Unfortunately, because of health concerns over hazardous conditions of the tunnels, almost all of the tunnels are closed off to tourists.  There are also many Cataphiles, which visit, tour and hang out in the tunnels illegally. Let's not forget about the random party goers who have underground raves in the Catacombs. They've discovered many abandoned "party spots" through the years. 

Cataphiles

It seems that the Paris Catacombs have a dark enough history to be pretty darn haunted. To those who'd argue otherwise, let them. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is mine. The Catacombs are now on my list of one of the most haunted places in the world that I'd love to visit. You should visit as well if you get the chance. Who knows what you may see, hear or feel? Be careful, you don't want to become a permanent visitor, don't get lost....

A supposed spirit picture

"Only with the constant reminder of death can we appreciate life," some believe.

Edinburgh Castle- One of Scotland's Most Haunted Places!

Welcome to Edinburgh Castle!

This is my 23rd "Haunted Places" blog post! Thank you to everyone who has followed and read my blogs. We are going out of the country again in this post, all the way to one of the most haunted places in Scotland; Edinburgh Castle.  Scotland has actually been proclaimed to be one of the most haunted countries on Earth.  The country has all of the key ingredients needed to create rumors that are whispered in corridors, and passed across the campfire, then brought to you in my blog! Scotland has dark skies, darker history, old towns and ancient tales that all add to the spooky experience, causing your mind to open a little. Perhaps you are a skeptic? Do you doubt the existence of the supernatural? That's fine, but perhaps you should reconsider.  Edinburgh Castle is a place that might just make you believe in ghosts, other supernatural phenomena, and things that go bump in the night.

 Over a million visitors flock to the castle each year.  It is built high upon a non active volcano overlooking the capital city of Edinburgh.  Edinburgh castle has a very haunted history. Many battles have been fought there over Scottish independence. Many Scots and Brits alike spilled their blood and died upon it's grounds and it's walls.  Edinburgh was exposed to battle for most of it's history. It was even mostly destroyed at one point to be rebuilt in 1356. During the Napoleonic War it was used as a prison to hold captured French and allies. In 1440 the Castle was home to the infamous "Black Bulls Diner," where 16 year old Earl of Douglas and his brother David were murdered in front of the 10 year old King James II.  The castle also is home to the "Witches Well," where women were put to death if convicted of witchcraft. There is also an extensive dungeon that claimed countless lives in it's long history of warfare

 In 1645, anyone who came into contact with a rat was likely to catch the Bubonic Plague. Then anyone they came in contact with might catch it as well. Scotland lost over a quarter of it's population as the Plague ravaged the country. At the height of the plague, when the fear of further outbreak was widespread, the dead and dying were rounded up and placed into unused tunnels, vaults and passageways underneath the grounds. Now they are called, Marys Kings Close, and very haunted. The chambers were sealed up tight, leaving those still alive inside to die horrible deaths.The doomed souls were abandoned, left only with their illness, suffering, and slowly taking their last breaths of stagnant, death filled air in the dark. The chambers are home to many tortured souls who died terrible deaths and seem doomed to haunt the passages for eternity. 

The Plague

The castle changed hands many times up until the 18th century.  With over 900 years of documented history behind the castle, it would almost be a surprise if the castle wasn't one of Scotland's most haunted sites.  Since it's construction  as a military fortress in the early 12th century, the castle has witnessed many battles, executions, the Black Plague, and even a brief capture by the English. Stories exist there that aren't painted on the tourist information boards.  There are underground tunnels, dungeons, the spirit of a wandering piper, ghostly drums heard in the castle walls, and dark figures.  Welcome to Scotland's haunted Edinburgh Castle, that I've officially added to my list of Haunted Places that I'd Love to visit!

depiction of the Black Plague

The volcanic crag that Edinburgh castle sits on was formed around 70 million years ago and the castle is protected on 3 sides with sheer cliffs that rise sharply over 400 feet! I find this fascinating. The plug of the extinct volcano is estimated to have risen approximately 350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.  The Castle Rock is the remnant of a volcano pipe, which broke through the surrounding sedimentary rock before cooling to form dolerite, which if a very hard type of basalt, or igneous rock.  The dolerite protected the softer rock to the east, from subsequent glacial erosion, leaving a crag and tail formation. 

 Now, Archaeologists have even dated human occupation all the way back to the Iron Age in 2nd century AD!  Historical references known as Din Eidyn or "Fortress on the Rock," place a fortified settlement there around 60 AD.  If that is true, that is incredible and more historic than most think.  It was renamed Edinburgh in 638 AD, when the Angles captured the fortress, and held it for 300 years.  The fortress became a castle in 1130 AD, when King David I, expanded the original fortress and developed Edinburgh as a seat of royal power. His late mother, Queen Margaret had passed away there and he expanded it, intending for it to be a memorial to her as she was well known for her kindness to the less fortunate. Upon her death, she was canonized as Saint Margaret. It is now called St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building of Edinburgh Castle, built in memory of Queen Margaret.  There are stained glass windows with pictures of her.  The legend says that she died of a broken heart in 1093.  She heard the news that her husband, King Malcolm III had died and it was too much for her to take. 

St. Margaret's Chapel

Chapel in honor of the late Queen Margaret

During construction, in the early days of Edinburgh Castle, a tunnel system was discovered beneath the very hill that the castle sits upon today. It led along the Royal Mile, towards what is known as the Palace of Holyroodhouse.  This was found when a single man was sent into the tunnels to survey them.  In retrospect, that turned out to be a bad idea for the unfortunate fellow. The man took his bagpipes with him, playing his tune as he went so that those above him could listen and figure out where he was. About halfway on his journey, the piper's music stopped abruptly.  When a search party was sent into the tunnel to find the piper, they never found a trace of him. But it is said that to this day, the sound of the piper's song can be faintly heard beneath and within the castle.  

There was also a drummer boy that haunts the castle.  He was killed in one of the many battles that took place there.  He was decapitated by a cannon ball or a sword.  He was first seen before Cromwell's attack on the castle in 1650.  Over the centuries, the ghost of the headless drummer boy has been seen roaming the grounds, many times before an attack.  As if it were an omen, the castle would be attacked by opposing armies.  The drummer boy still wonders the grounds, playing the drums.  You may just hear the drums if you listen hard enough.  

Scottish Crown Jewels

"Stone of Destiny"

Some things that had been lost in the castle through the years have been rediscovered.  For example, the Scottish crown jewels, some of the oldest in European history were lost for over one hundred years, then discovered in a locked chest deep within the Edinburgh Castle vault.  Also, the Stone of Scone, or the "Stone of Destiny," or "Corinthian Stone," was recovered in the castle as well. These items are on display now for all the see a part of Scottish history that was once lost. There are also statues of King Robert the Bruce and William Wallace that flank the entrance, as a reminder of the price of Scottish freedom and to honor the fallen.  The tale of William Wallace was very real. They have actors that do reenactments in the dungeon during the tours.  Now reincarnated as a top tourist attraction, the Castle offers haunted tours of it's dungeons.  Over 1,000 prisoners were kept, tortured and perished there.  Most who went there, took their last breaths there. There are ghosts of French prisoners from the Seven Years War, and colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War there.  It once held the Duke Alexander Stewart of Albany, who actually escaped, by stabbing his guards to death and burning their bodies. There was also Lady Janet Douglas of Glamis who was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. 

William Wallace dungeon reenactment

Robert the Bruce

ghostly image in hall

One of the Dungeon cells

In 2001, Edinburgh castle was the site of the largest paranormal investigation in history.  A team of 9 researchers and over 200 members of the public explored the castle's forgotten chambers and secret passages for signs of ghostly happenings.  The public was not told which areas of the castle were rumored to be haunted and which areas were not.  51% of participants in haunted areas reported paranormal experiences, while only 35% did so in the non-haunted areas. Feel free to draw your own conclusions. Shadowy figures, sudden drops in temperature, feelings of being watched and touched were all reported.  They are everyday experiences in Edinburgh castle.  Some visitors have just felt a presence, or their clothing was pulled on, as if by a dying plague victim asking for help, taking their last breaths, as their lungs filled with blood.  As you've read, there are many reasons for the hauntings, and many horrible deaths over the span of centuries; or even longer.  There are many unsettled spirits that freak out visitors to this day.  This is not a place for the faint of heart. There are extremely cold spots that have been reported in different areas of the castle grounds and many people have felt as if they were being watched by invisible eyes.  Shadow figures also make appearances in the halls.

Carvings on a dungeon door by actual prisoners 

In the Great Hall of the Castle, there's a small window or hole above the fireplace.  This is called Laird's Lugs in Scotland, which means "Lord's ears".  King James IV would use this window to eavesdrop on important meetings.  When Gorbachev planned to visit the castle in 1984, the Soviet National Security insisted that the hole should be closed because it was so effective and was a safety risk.  

Laird's Lugs

Great Hall Roof

There's also, Mon's Meg Cannon, which is a huge super gun that was made around 1449.  It used to fire huge solid stone cannonballs, almost 3 times the size of a human head.  Considering the year it was made, it is amazing that the cannon could fire a distance of 2 miles, especially with the cannonballs weighing in at 400 pounds!  The ritual of firing the One O' Clock Gun continues to date. The gun is fired every day except Sunday.  This began in 1861.  It is even said that someone gave birth in it because it is so huge they were able to hide in it and give birth. That is more of a story than a fact. It could be true. But is interesting nonetheless. 

Mon's Meg Cannon

One O' Clock Firing

I could go on and on, but how about you should add Edinburgh Castle to your "Haunted Places to Visit" list and go see this historic marvel! You can take haunted Edinburgh tours, or just buy tickets to tour the castle itself.  With all of the ghostly experiences people have had and it's chilling history, I can't wait to visit!  I dare you to challenge yourself, to open your mind, and visit Edinburgh, the most haunted city in Scotland.  I also happen to have some Scottish heritage and am particularly interested in Scotland as a whole. It is a beautiful country, and the whole country is haunted. That would be a perfect vacation for me!  

The Royal Apartments

Swords in the Great Hall

A ghostly figure caught when no one was in the room

Possible ghost of a soldier?

A figure in a room-look at the chair

Use your imagination ;)