Одеські катакомби

( Odesa 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. The system of Odesa Catacombs consists of a network of basements, bunkers, drainage tunnels and storm drains as well as natural caves.

The catacombs are on three levels and reach a depth of 60 metres (200 ft) below sea level. It is one of the world's largest urban labyrinths, running up to 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi). Parts were used as air-raid shelters during World War II. Part of the tunnels, only under the city, were turned into bomb shelters in the Cold War. Such bomb shelters supposed to be refuge for civilians in case of nuclear strike or gas attack.

In the 19th century, most houses in Odesa were built of limestone that was mined nearby. According to urban legend, these mines were abandoned and later used and widened by local smugglers w...Read more

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. The system of Odesa Catacombs consists of a network of basements, bunkers, drainage tunnels and storm drains as well as natural caves.

The catacombs are on three levels and reach a depth of 60 metres (200 ft) below sea level. It is one of the world's largest urban labyrinths, running up to 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi). Parts were used as air-raid shelters during World War II. Part of the tunnels, only under the city, were turned into bomb shelters in the Cold War. Such bomb shelters supposed to be refuge for civilians in case of nuclear strike or gas attack.

In the 19th century, most houses in Odesa were built of limestone that was mined nearby. According to urban legend, these mines were abandoned and later used and widened by local smugglers who created a labyrinth of tunnels and hid treasure beneath Odesa. Many of the tunnels have been filled up with earth, concrete or sand by construction companies, and are no longer accessible.

The first underground stone mines started to appear in the 19th century, while vigorous construction took place in Odesa. They were used as a source of cheap construction materials.[1]Limestone was cut using saws, and mining became so intensive that by the second half of the 19th century, the extensive network of catacombs created many inconveniences to the city.[citation needed]

 Entrance of catacombs in Moldavanka on Kartamyshevska Street. The entrances of the catacombs have to be closed or controlled at all times to prevent children from entering.

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).[citation needed]

During World War II the catacombs served as a hiding place for Soviet partisans, in particular the squad of Vladimir Molodtsov.[1] 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.[citation needed]

In 1961 the "Search" (Poisk) club was created in order to explore the history of partisan movement among the catacombs. Since its creation, it has expanded understanding of the catacombs, and provided information to expand mapping of the tunnels.[citation needed]

The city has a large population of over 1 million people, which some believe would benefit from the introduction of a subway system. The tunnels have been cited as the reason why such a subway system has never been built in Odesa.[2]

Since the beginning of the 21st century limestone mining has continued in the mines located in Dofinovka, Byldynka, and "Fomina balka" near Odesa. As the result of contemporary mining, the catacombs continue to expand.[citation needed]

^ a b Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page). ^ Cite error: The named reference ref2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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