Urban Exploration: "Going Where You're Not Supposed To Go"
I've been reading about this topic for a couple weeks now, and I'm really fascinated by it.
Urban exploration is also referred to as Infiltration. Infiltration.org describes it as: "A mix of the practice and theory of urban exploration in areas not designed for public usage" or more bluntly, "going places you're not supposed to go." It's like caving, but instead of exploring nature's hiding places, enthusiasts explore man-made areas (most common are abandoned buildings and tunnels).
Unfortunately, old-school enthusiasts are finding that what once was a sub-culture is becoming too popular today. Even The Discovery Channel had a series on it. It always sucks when some cool underground thing becomes mainstream. It sucks even worse when MTV gets ahold of it. Enthusiasts have a code of ethics regarding vandalism and grafitti that they fear others will ignore. Not only that, but the more popular the hobby becomes, the more cities will make it harder to enter old buildings and tunnels.
I got the chance to explore an abandoned hospital once, when I was a secretary for a small construction company. I followed the crew around jotting down notes and measurements. Then later, I walked around by myself to check out the rooms. I didn't know there was any such thing as urban exploration at the time, but it was fun exploring the deserted building. It's kind of creepy, and feels like walking through a haunted house.
It's hard to say when this sub-culture started, but there are explorers all over the world; and based on what I read about the Paris Catacombs, it's been going on for centuries.
Les Catacombes
Almost every website on UE has an article about the Paris Catacombs and Tunnels. Underneath the city of Paris lies an underground world. There are about 185 miles of tunnels, caves, and rooms; and new ones continue to be discovered. Add to that 1,300 miles of sewer tunnels and 124 miles of subway tracks, which all interconnect at certain points. There are two parts to the tunnels: the one that's open to the public and the one that's off-limits to anyone. It's the off-limits tunnels that attract people though, and Paris has secret entrances all over the place. Some are through manholes, but most are holes in the ground covered with something to hide them.
The Catacombs looks like a creepy place. It's mostly a tomb that holds the bones of 6-7 million people. The Tunnels have a lot of history (and mystery) too, and have been used by many people over the centuries. The Tunnels date back to approximately 60 B.C. when the Romans used them as quarries. The French Resistance occupied parts of it and so did the German Nazis. Today, people still use the tunnels. Along with graffiti, carvings, and other things left behind from the 18th and 19th centuries; today's graffiti artists, explorers, and partyers leave their own marks behind--as if adding their own piece of history for future generations. Many people also tuck notes, 'zines, and other things into crevices for others to find. Maybe these things will be found the following week and maybe they'll be found in 100 years. If I ever go to Paris, I want to go here.
Above the entrance to the Catacombs, the sign says STOP! THIS IS THE EMPIRE OF DEATH.
A wall of bones that looks about 3 ft. thick!
I found some great websites on the Catacombs and Tunnels:
Underground Paris: A Virtual Tour - It's a brief photo journey through the Catacombs section. Millions of bones and skulls line the walls and are often arranged in symmetrical and artistic patterns.
Paris Catacombs: Man-Made Calcium Deposits - A small article on the Catacombs section, with a little bit of its history.
Murray Battle of Infiltration.org writes about his visit to the Paris Tunnels.
Paris Catacombs from UndergroundKent.co.uk - Photos and descriptions of some of the rooms in the tunnels. Good site.
"In a Secret Paris Cavern, The Real Underground Cinema" - An article by Guardian Unlimited UK about a secret restaurant and cinema that the police discovered hidden in the Tunnels.
UrbanAdventure.org - This is one of my favorite sites. A photo journey through the graffiti-covered Tunnels. The man who set up this website took a lot of great photos and has videos too (although I can't get them to work). I really recommend this site for anyone who wants to see what it's like in the tunnels. Also, check out his photos of abandoned buildings.
From UrbanAdventure.org. Photos are of an abandoned meat factory.
