Saturday 3 January 2009

Paris Catacombs

Back from Paris.....and we went to the Catacombs

It was quite an experience. Here are some of the pictures I took - they are blurred, but my excuse is that it was very dark and I had to crank the poor camera into open eye mode, while trying to hold it still........on the other hand, you may think that it added to the atmosphere!













The entrance, is via an
un-prepossessing green tin shack - then after a steep decent down a spiral stone staircase you enter the tunnels....there are a maze of them down there, but for the sake of visitors, a route has been selected that eventually leads to the Ossuary section. Bones from cemeteries all over Paris have been moved there and stored decoratively. The uncountable piles have been arranged in such a way that the bulk of smaller bones have been walled in behind piled up femurs, interspersed with skulls - some facing, staring oddly and others showing only occipital blank curveture. Individuality between the skulls is present if one peers closely enough - a phrenologist's joy - if only they could speak!

Fascinating and possibly grim, but of course we loved it!

5 comments:

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Most couples visiting Paris do more romantic sights...

I have been waiting for some aspect of death to appear after your trip lol

Fascinating...
:)

Kaye Waller said...

Oh yes, the catacombs. So glad to read that you had a good time and, welcome back!

Charles Cowling said...

So glad you didn't fritter your time away in a frivolous place like the Louvre. Only sorry you didn't attempt to put a few back together. Possibly you had a sense of femur failure?

Annie Wicking said...

wonderful & great picture.

Best wishes,
Annie

MEDICALBOOBOOS said...

Awesome stuff, fascinating. My daughter wants to be a forensic anthropologist, when she grows up. I have had to put the breaks on her wish to dig up a long dead cat in the garden, as she wishes to examine the bones. She isnt weird just curious, so she collects the odd bone every now and then. She would love this place.