But some tourism still relates to them. The Odessa Catacombs and the Legend of Masha | The Scare Chamber [citation needed], After the Russian Revolution of 1917, stone mining was banned within the central part of Odesa (inside the Porto-Franko zone, bounded by Old Port Franko and Panteleymonovskaya streets). For those interested in exploring the catacombs, with less risk, you can hire a professional to take you down. Although the tunnels are mostly limestone mines used to build the city, they have a storied history which includes Nazi executions during WWII and legends of a small replica of the Titanic made of solid gold among other things. By signing up to the VICE newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from VICE that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. dinnington high school alumni. In the 19th century, most houses in Odesa were built of limestone that was mined nearby. Eager to escape, she ran through the tunnels, not knowing she was heading the wrong direction. But one Ukrainian town stands out Odessa. The catacombs were once the preferred hideout of rebels, criminals, and eccentrics. After a short time, they called off the search, saying that Masha would have to find her own way out, it wasnt safe for them to look for her any longer. The biggest and most serious efforts were made by a club specifically created for the purpose Poisk ( ). During WWII Ukrainian rebel groups hid within the labyrinthine catacombs and today there is an entire Ukrainian subculture of catacomb explorers with dozens of semiprofessional groups, often quite competitive, exploring the catacombs. Relics of the past in the Odessa catacombs, Ukraine. Her partially mummified body was discovered two years later by amateur explorers. Girl Lost in Odessa Catacombs 694,277 views Jun 2, 2016 15K Dislike Share ScareTheater 963K subscribers Previous Video: http://bit.ly/1ZhkLEh In 2005, the body of a girl named Masha was found. He had gotten lost, and there was a reward offered to anyone who could find the young man. She would have gotten delirious, convulsed, and slipped irreversibly into a coma around the third day, not that she would have noticed the days passing. After the incident, Lata said that the group had continued to explore the catacombs, and that they would sometimes go down there for days at a time. What are you a professional corpsologist? Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Kostya Pugovkin, who identified himself as a veteran of Ukraine's Antiterrorist Operation based in Odessa, claims to be the one who personally hefted the body in that photograph out of the depths. Sad mother monument, made in stone in the Odessa catacombs . The Tiara of Saitaphernes is certainly one of these priceless objects and its story is long and surprising. Makeshift rooms, quarters, tables, and all manner of carvings and writings are all preserved and the entire museum serves as a strikingly unaltered glimpse into the urban warfare of the second world war. Partisan weapon caches such as rifles and grenades are occasionally still found within the tunnels, and about once every five years a body is found. So, is it really true? Nefer Say Nefer - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens? [6] Other caves attract extreme tourists, who explore the tunnels despite the dangers involved. Today we find ourselves wandering the largest catacomb system in the world. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). However, in the drunken revelry a member of the group, a girl named Masha, became. Every story is true, and each one is a real place you can visit. These men and women remained hidden, living in the catacombs. But being murdered and having your body dumped in the catacombs is a vacation compared to what is rumored to have happened to Masha. With over 1,500 miles of subterranean tunnels, Odessa's catacombs even beat out the well-known Paris Catacombs in terms of length. Maybe this photo will shock you. Odesa catacombs - Wikiwand We dare you. Masha story is an urban legend. You'd think they'd have them boarded or locked up pretty tight to avoid homeless people getting lost down there. [citation needed], The first underground stone mines started to appear in the 19th century, while vigorous construction took place in Odesa. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Believing this to be the best explanation for her absence, the group agreed and they left. On January 1st 2005, a young Ukranian teenage girl named Masha put on her make-up, packed up some champagne, and headed out for her New Years Eve nights party. I tend to never believe Vice.. Also, he wrote, "five explorers [got] lost or died during this year. The Odessa catacombs are a very complicated system of natural tunnels, mines, bunkers, and caves that are predominantly a result of mining - with the earliest excavations beginning in the 19th century. On January 1st, 2005, some Odessa teens decided to spend New Year's night partying in the catacombs. [Online] Available at: http://www.katakomby.odessa.ua, I am a published author of over ten historical fiction novels, and I specialize in Slavic linguistics. A group of urban explorers were pushing deeper into the mines, into one of the most unexplored areas, when they came across the body of a woman. One popular myth is the story of the White Hunter a catacomb explorer of some notoriety who apparently never came out and most likely died while in the catacombs. He quarreled with the teen, then led her into the catacombs where they could continue their argument. 2016. Authorities have also suggested that the photo is a prank, and that the corpse is a fake. This makes it one of the more unique museums of that period as long as you dont strive from the beaten path! Above ground, the Fasciest Germans and Romanians would identify random catacomb exits and seal them off, hoping to trap them inside. Drunk and needing to urinate, she left the group, seeking a place to relieve herself. Over the decades that follow, after the gradual abandonment of the mining operations, the Odessa catacombs would become somewhat obscure and forgotten. Or maybe they were looking for bodies. The Stone Mines, part of the Odessa Catacombs, were closed and sealed off in 1917. Investigating the mysterious death of a young woman who wandered into an underground tunnel and never came outbut lives on as an internet rumor. Find Out. In the case of the Odessa Catacombs, they are a labyrinth-like network of tunnels under the city of Odessa. masha odessa catacombs photo Unfortunately, what they often find inside is far more grim than that. Stretching to a length of 2500km, the Odessa Catacombs are prehaps the largest network of tunnels in the world. On a more historical basis, it is also believed that the catacombs were used to murder and store Jewish people during World War II. The complete length of these catacombs is more than half of the width of the North American continent. Her parents called the authorities who went to the site and began to search. Since the organization is in charge of fielding inquiries about the Catacombs it "probably prefers to stay out of this business, just as I do," Lata theorized. These men and women would play chess, checkers, cook, and listen to Soviet Radio, generally trying to make a normal life below the surface of the city. But centuries ago, the land that is now the United States was a very different place As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. But we do know that the confirmed tales of the catacombs, as well as its history, are still filled with gloom, death, and horror. However, when the body was removed, it was in terrible condition, with no good identifying factors. Even if they managed to find an entrance that was accessible, they were not to venture inside. While most of the time the bodies found are from long ago, stumbling across old bones of soldiers and smugglers from more recent accidents has been known to happen. This myth has led many treasure hunters to enter the darkness of the catacombs in search of wealth. 13th Floor. However, the catacombs began to truly grow into their astonishing, labyrinthine form in the early 1800s, when the limestone quarried from them was used to build much of the city. Down in the mine, for unknown reasons, Masha didnt turn around and leave once she had finished. "During the time she was inside, her 'friends' didn't try to take her body out," Lata wrote, guessing that they were "frightened.". Every culture has an explanation about how we got here. Eventually the majority of the group managed to find their way back out but Masha never did. [Online] Available at: http://www.the13thfloor.tv/2017/04/11/183661/, Pronin, K. . More photos surfaced, including additional shots of the tunnels and even bones. Learn how your comment data is processed. Odessa Catacombs: Day 1 Odessa, Ukraine. Someone died. But some places just arent meant to be explored. Do you have any more information about the body that was found? They have rescued a number of children who have wandered into the catacombs. Beneath its streets, under the slowly unraveling everyday lives of its citizens, lies a sprawling network of tunnels and catacombs, an enigmatic web of dark corridors that built up a reputation of macabre proportions. Masha and a group of friends thought it would be fun to go out, party, and celebrate at the Stone Mines. The Odessa Catacombs: Lost in Eternal Darkness - Ancient Origins Instead, it belonged to a girl who was never identified. The whole story of Masha might actually just be an urban legend. Although the tale has long been reported as fact, even in newspapers, there is still a great lack of evidence, and few people are stepping forward to corroborate the sparse claims that to exist. These catacombs are the result of stone mining, particularly coquina (a soft limestone of broken shells), and consist of a network of basements, bunkers, drainage tunnels and storm drains. We'll make more! Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. I'm not sure I believe the photo is fake. This is what happens when you get lost in the catacombs of Odessa They became a hiding place for Soviet partisans. ( Artem Merzlenko /Adobe Stock). It is one of the world's largest urban labyrinths, running up to 2,500 kilometres (1,600mi). We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren. A man named KostyaPugovkinclaims he was one of the people that carried the body out, but it was never originally thought to be someone named Masha. (Author provided). Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. Pacific coastline of the continuous United States. I used to go caving for fun and turning off your lights for a minute when you're with friends is kind of neat but walking out of a cave alone with that absolute blackness behind you nope nope nope. Lets unravel the story of these vast catacombs that lie untouched beneath one of Ukraines largest towns. [4] In his work The Waves of The Black Sea, Valentin Kataev described the battle between Soviet partisans against Axis forces, underneath Odesa and its nearby suburb Usatove. So it's a photo of a body that willit seemsnever be positively identified, and it immortalizes the last moment of someone's life. The ancient Greeks were no different. They present thousands of crisscrossed tunnels, intersections, corridors, galleries, and caverns, all entwined and endlessly sprawling like some chaotic maze of ant tunnels. Fine Art? Drinking and debauchery went on that night, and for reasons unknown a young woman named Masha got separated from her friends and disappeared into the abyss. When the group arrived, they found it easy enough, with two large metal doors. In 1961, a "Search" ("Poisk") club formed in an effort to explore and document the catacombs. Many of the partisan groups lived in the catacombs for the entirety of the rest of the war, and on occasion the partisan groups even managed to blow up German facilities. No one is exactly sure how she died, but it could have been dehydration or hypothermia. After the war, the tunnels remained active with smugglers and criminal groups who went so far as to widen or even create their own tunnels. 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But at some point in the night Masha decided to explore the catacombs. Eugene included a graphic photo of what appeared to be a decaying corpse in one of the tunnels, which Eugene claimed was Masha's body. This was enough to drive a group of explorers to the area in search of the supposed corpse, and it appeared they actually found it. The post featured a graphic photo of what appeared to be a decaying corpse in the catacombs, which Lata claimed was Masha's body. Her friends never were able to find her, and the police saw neither hide nor hair of her, as they didn't want to venture into the mysterious catacombs. The Odesa Catacombs are a labyrinth-like network of tunnels (subterranean cavities) located under the city of Odesa and its outskirts in Ukraine, that are mostly (over 90%) the result of stone mining, particularly coquina. Inside, they saw a flight of stairs leading down into the catacombs. Shiver. It`s a dead body of the 19-years old girl, who has lost the right way in the maze. It took a full two years before the police were able to locate her body and retrieve it from the catacombs. However, it's not te only creepy story - in 2012 group of students went below and one was lost. Besides Masha and the missing boy, there have been other stories of people who have died in the catacombs, and not just from getting lost. Odessa, just outside of Ukraine's capital, Kiev, is home to one of the largest catacombs in the entire world. Featured in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. He then threw the axe into the sea. Try not to get lost. This led to a lot of attempt at secrecy by the officials. Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. I mean it's Vice. An entrance into the catacombs. 2023 Atlas Obscura. A glass that you drop but it doesnt break. Of course parents saying not to do something usually encourages kids to do that very thing. In fact, these labyrinthine tunnels are so enormous, that they easily dwarf both the catacombs of Rome and those of Paris . They go on multi-day underground treks, known as expeditions, to document and map the system. But Masha had not gone home. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Indigenous Desserts of Turtle Island With Mariah Gladstone, University of Massachusetts Entomology Collection, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, 10 of the World's Most Disorienting Places, http://odessitclub.org/en/archives/dallin/chapter_6.html#Catacombs. She made the decision to venture down into the mine for privacy sake. All rights reserved. "I wrapped it in a bedsheet, and dragged it back," he told VICE through a translator. One of the reasons the catacombs of Odessa stand out is because they are by far the worlds longest catacombs. In 2009, a post was made on the urban exploration website UER which first brought forth Masha's story, and a photo of the purported body (warning: graphic) was posted in which three (possibly four) young urban explorers appear to have discovered her remains. In Odessa, when someones water line suddenly breaks, or a house settles oddly, or a family pet goes missing, it is not uncommon for Ukrainians to curse about those damn catacombs., They are not being delusional, for underneath their houses run some 2,500 kilometers of catacombs, carved into the limestone that the city is built upon. The post featured a graphic photo of what appeared to be a decaying corpse in the catacombs, which Lata claimed was Masha's body. It was meant as a sort of warning for others to stay away, but it also lured urban explorers to the site with growing regularity. Underrated Cinematic Survival Competitions, Great Movies About Missions Doomed from the Start, Survival Myths to Unlearn Before It's Too Late, Must-See Newer Survival Movies and TV Series, Great Movies About Kids Trying to Stay Alive, People Believe A Girl Died In The Endless Odessa Catacombs, But The Mystery Goes Much Deeper, the group had continued to explore the catacombs, a man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for killing a girl in the catacombs. The Odessa Catacombs and the Legend of Masha His recollection is different from Lata's. Mauritius Square, Ukraine: What is this Giant Crab-like Earthworks? [citation needed], There have been various reports of people walking into the catacombs, getting lost and then eventually dying of dehydration. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. [6], Since the beginning of the 21st century limestone mining has continued in the mines located in Dofinovka, Byldynka, and "Fomina balka" near Odesa. Odesskiy. ( Artem Merzlenko /Adobe Stock). The Odesa Catacombs are a labyrinth-like network of tunnels located under the city of Odesa and its outskirts in Ukraine, that are mostly the result of stone mining, particularly coquina. ", He told us he then dragged the body to the police medical examiner's office, about five miles from the entrance Masha would have used. They would throw in poison gas canisters, hoping to smoke them out and finish them off. The partial mummification made for a successful identification of the victim and the autopsy revealed that she died from dehydration three days after getting lost. Maybe her path forked a few times, and she lost track of the pattern. odessa catacombs dead body masha - gb-academy.net Then he added that a young boy had just been lost in an accident, and his body was still missing. They're not the safest places to be either. Shortly after this, the mapping of a large unexplored area known as K-29 began. masha odessa catacombs photo - theactiongrouphr.com It's always good to hear from a local. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? Offer subject to change without notice. Rifles, machine guns, equipment and personal items all were discovered lost or abandoned in virtually pristine condition.
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