Warning: This website contains subject matter that relates to death and funery practices; graphic images relating to these topics will be included. Some of the bodies depicted on this website met a violent death and others may still have living relations. Please be advised about these concerns before viewing the website.
Underground Secrets
Comparison of the Catacombs in Paris and the Catacombs dei Capuccini
Catacombs are a “subterranean cemetery of galleries with recesses for tombs —usually used in plural” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Such structures exist all over the world and have been a source of fascination for centuries.
While there may be catacombs all over the world, there is no set reason behind their creation. The term catacomb came from the Latin word catacumbae which likely comes from the phrase cata tumbas which means “among the tombs”. This origin is indicative to the history of the catacombs, as the first catacombs belonged to the Roman Empire, specifically the underground tombs between the 2nd and 3rd milestones of the Via Appia (1). Because of this origin, the term catacombs only applied to these underground vaults and it was only by 1836 that the term was used to refer to other subterranean passages of the dead. After this date the word was attached to many locations such as the Catacombs in Paris, the Catacombs dei Cappuccini in Palermo, the Catacombs Convento de San Francisco in Lima, the Catacombs of Sacromonte in Granada and more(2).
It has become common practice to call a subterranean burial place a catacomb, and many of these are located below cities and thus have been associated with other activities such as smugglers hideouts, meeting places, popular venues and hiding places for refugees.
Bone Pillar in The Parisian Catacombs
http://www.emlii.com/9550a3da/24-Most-Terrifying-and-Haunted-Places-You%27d-Never-Want-To-Be-In
Case Study
This website has been designed to be a comparative analysis of two of the many Catacombs, those of Paris and those of the Capuchins in Palermo.
For this study the two sets of subterranean burials will be shown in comparison. The reason these two sets of catacombs were chosen is because of their differences, even within the European Community. The differences between the two burial starts at their creation, they serve a completely different purpose within their communities. The Parisian catacomb began as a much needed extension to the burial grounds of Paris, but are best known as the resting place of the dead of the Revolution. The reasoning is therefore largely secular. By contrast the Catacombs of Palermo are wholly religious in Nature. As the name of the Catacombs suggests, this burial ground is associated with a church belonging to the Christian sect called the Capuchins. This may only be the starting point of these two catacombs, but it illustrates how catacombs can vary, at this first point of divergent.
In addition to examining the differing history of the two Catacombs, other aspects will be compared. The social, political and religious importance will be examined as to show how these catacombs were used differently. This topic includes what sorts of people were interred with, why they are within the catacombs and what sort of impression the catacombs have within the community. The manner in which the catacombs are interacted with will also be examined. This is to say how people interacted with the catacombs in the past and present: would people visit to mourn or were there other ways people engaged with the catacombs themselves and its inhabitance? There will also be a study into modern perceptions of the catacombs. As the catacombs are infamous, people have addressed them in many ways, this part of the comparison will see how the different catacombs are perceived. An inquest will be done through the examination of the museums, travel itinerary, movies and books.
Palermo and Paris represent two contrasting sets of catacombs and as such these are ideal for a comparative study of how vastly different burials can be related through similarities such as their subterranean nature. Follow this site to encounter catacombs in an interactive manner. Enjoy the photos, videos, links that relate to this topic and feel free to comment and provide feedback on anything.
Sources
(1)N. "The Roman Catacombs." The Rambler, 1862: 148-155.
(2)Birx, H James. "Catacombs." In Encyclopedia of time : science, philosophy, theology, & culture, 148-149. Sage Publication Inc., 2009.
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